2023 AVA Award winners announced

 

Each year, the AVA awards exceptional individuals for the outstanding work they have done to contribute and enhance the profession and association both domestically and internationally.   

These awards are presented at the Gala Dinner during the AVA Annual Conference, and recognise their outstanding dedication, service and achievements in veterinary science and the profession.  

The 2023 AVA Award winners are as follows: 

 

Gilruth Prize 

Awarded to Associate Professor David Beggs, for his outstanding service to veterinary science in Australia.  

 

^{Image (L-R): immediate past president Dr Bronwyn Orr with Associate Professor Beggs}

Associate Professor Beggs is dedicated to developing continuing education for veterinarians. He has contributed significantly to Australian Cattle Vets, convening their conferences, and editing journals and textbooks on cattle topics. He also convened the AVA Annual Conference for four years and the World Buiatrics Congress in 2014. A/Prof. Beggs has published in over 27 peer-reviewed publications and conducted more than 25 veterinary conference presentations. 

He is well-known in the field of animal welfare, completing a PhD focused on cattle welfare and representing the profession across multiple animal welfare forums. At the University of Melbourne, he teaches undergraduate veterinary students alongside supervising post-graduate veterinarians. He has also served on the Veterinary Practitioners Registration Board of Victoria for almost a decade. 

 

Presidents Award 

Awarded to Professor Jacqui Norris, for her outstanding practical contribution to veterinary science through her work in academia in Australia. 

^{image (L-R): immediate past president Dr Bronwyn Orr with Professor Norris}

Professor Norris graduated with a BVSc (Hons) from the University of Sydney. She completed a small animal medicine and surgery residency program and clinical Masters at the University of Melbourne, before returning to the University of Sydney to complete a PhD on the aetiology of periodontal disease in domestic cats.  

After several years in small animal practice, Professor Norris returned to the Sydney School of Veterinary Science to work on the development of a new curriculum in veterinary infectious diseases and to continue her research in this area.  

She is a full-time academic staff member at the Sydney School of Veterinary Science (SSVS), University of Sydney. She coordinates the teaching of veterinary microbiology and has previously overseen the veterinary curriculum as the Sub Dean for the Bachelor of Veterinary Science and later the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. Professor Norris is passionate about teaching clinically relevant infectious disease courses for veterinary postgraduates, veterinary practitioners and companion animal breeders. She leads the microbiology area of the school's Veterinary Pathology Diagnostic Service and is the current Head of School at Sydney School of Veterinary Science.  

 

Kesteven Medal 

Awarded to Dr Roger Clark for his distinguished contributions to international veterinary science by providing technical and scientific assistance to developing countries. 

Dr Clark has made significant contributions to the international veterinary community, especially in countries in the Asia-Pacific region. He was the International Liaison Officer for the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) from 1994-1996 and received the AAHA award for international liaison efforts at their annual meeting in 1996. He was the Australian national representative to World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) from 1980 to 2011, and a member of the WSAVA Assembly during this time, convening Continuing Education and the Committee on Companion Animal Welfare from 1994 to 2011. 

Under Dr Clarke’s guidance, the Federation of Asian Small Animal Veterinary Associations has been hugely successful. It currently comprises small animal veterinary associations from Australia, Beijing, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Shanghai, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taipei and Thailand. Since 2009, it has held conferences in Thailand, South Korea, New Zealand, China and Taiwan. 

 

Fellow 

Awarded to Dr William Howey OAM for his more than 50 years of outstanding service to the Australian Veterinary Association. 

^{Image: immediate past president Dr Bronwyn Orr with Dr Howey}

William (Bill) Howey OAM graduated from the Royal Dick School at the University of Edinburgh in 1965 and moved to Australia in 1967 to commence his life of service, dedication and contribution to veterinary science, which he was recognised with an Order of Australia (OAM) for.  

In addition to the OAM, Dr Howey has been awarded the Hunter Valley Thoroughbred Breeders Association President’s Award for ‘Contribution to Industry’, the 1995 Hunter McLoughlin Citizen of the Year, the Scone Shire Council Service and numerous other awards.   

Dr Howey is the author of numerous published books in the field of equine veterinary science, including History of Veterinary Practice in Scone and A History of Thoroughbred Breeding in the Upper Hunter Valley and a RIRDC Equine Research & Development: ‘Education & Training in the Horse Industry in Australia.’ 

 

Meritorious Service Award 

This year we had the pleasure of recognising five people for their meritorious service to The Australian Veterinary Association:

Dr Sandra Steele

Dr Steele has had a had an extensive volunteer career with the AVA. She has been involved with the Veterinary Public Health Special Interest Group, the Australian Society for Infectious Diseases, Veterinarians for Climate Action and more. She has also been a part of the AVA Policy Council since 2018. Dr Steele was an integral part of the AVA’s COVID-19 working group, bringing together an extensive amount of information that helped support and inform veterinary practitioners.  

Dr Sally-Anne Richter

Dr Richter has been a highly invested and active member of the AVA since joining in 2012, holding notable positions as President and President Elect of the AVA Tasmanian Division as part of their Executive Committee. Veterinary collegiality and supporting the profession have been the focuses of Dr Richter’s leadership through seminars, conferences, fundraising, benevolent fund dinners and support of new graduates in their transition to practice. During the Tasmanian COVID-19 response, Dr Richter was instrumental in ensuring that relevant professional issues were addressed and communicated to Tasmanian veterinarians. 

Associate Professor Stuart Barber

Associate Professor Barber has a passion for teaching the next generation of veterinarians. He is well recognised for bringing the latest technological advances to veterinary education and was the 2009 recipient of the AVA’s Excellence in Teaching award. He has presented his work on his virtual ‘4D farm’ at numerous AVA conferences. A/Prof. Barber is committed to engaging with livestock communities and contributed to the Weekly Times FARM magazine once a month for 15 years. His 180th Weekly Times FARM article was published in 2020. His many achievements in veterinary education and research, and his ongoing commitment to the profession were recognised with his promotion to Associate Professor in 2021.  

Dr Steve Dennis

Dr Dennis is a Past President of Equine Veterinarians Australia. He is currently the EVA’s Queensland State Representative, creating record member attendances at the EVA State Meetings in Brisbane and assisting members with advice, support and resources. Additionally, since Hendra virus is a permanent agenda item for equine veterinarians in Queensland, Dr Dennis acts as the EVA’s representative on a State Government Horse Biosecurity Group. His role is to be a robust ambassador for the promotion of Hendra virus vaccination.  

Dr Tracy Sullivan

Dr Sullivan is an eminently qualified veterinarian who has devoted many years of service to the Australian Cattle Veterinarians (ACV). She stepped into the role of ACV President in 2021. She is the director of her own semen morphology business, a veterinarian with the Department of Primary Industries, Research and Development and is also a beef cattle farmer. Previously she was a live export veterinarian, an on-plant vet for the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and an independent director of an Indigenous-held cattle station. Dr Sullivan led projects to improve veterinary outcomes of cattle during transport, created guidelines for the care of sale cattle in tandem with industry and implemented web-based pregtesting certificates. She forged relationships with industry bodies, ensuring the AVA has a seat at the table on industry committees. 

The AVA congratulates the 2023 award winners and thanks them for their incredible services to the profession.