2024 AVA Award winners

 

Congratulations to our 2024 AVA Award winners!

The AVA Awards represent the pinnacle of excellence for the Australian veterinary profession. The awards recognise and celebrate veterinarians who drive our profession forward through their innovative and scientific achievements and outstanding dedication and service. Our 2024 Award winners exemplify this and more.

The 2024 awards, a culmination of excellence and dedication, were presented at the AVA Gala Dinner, a night of jubilation and recognition. Held on Thursday, June 30, this spectacular event was a testament to the achievements of our 2024 AVA Award winners, and a celebration of their contributions to our profession.

The 2024 AVA award winners are:

The Meritorious Service Award

The Meritorious Service Award, a testament to special or long-term service to the AVA, its Divisions, Branches, and Special Interest Groups, was bestowed upon two exceptional members this year, Dr Hadley Willsallen (EVA) and Dr Moss Siddle (VBG). Their dedication and service to our community are truly commendable, and we are privileged to have them as part of our profession.

^{Image: Dr Hadley Willsallen. (GAZiPHOTO)}

Hadley said “I would like to say that I am very grateful and feel extremely special to have received the AVA Meritorious Service Award. I have loved my involvement with the EVA family! I have enjoyed sharing experiences, developing ideas and projects, encouraging and supporting each other in a collaboration to improve our fantastic profession.  I have gained immensely; my role models and sources of inspiration and guidance have become my close friends.  I encourage everyone to get involved in this fantastic organisation in any way, and you will find unexpected joy and rewards that far exceed the effort.” 

^{Image: Dr Moss Siddle with Dr Diana Barker (GAZiPHOTO)}

Moss said “I received a Meritorious Service Award which was a complete shock and nice surprise. I have contributed to the AVA because I believe the only way to make change and improve our member Association is to be involved. No matter what your interest is you can find your tribe within the AVA. For me it has mainly been the Veterinary Business Group. I love the camaraderie and the opportunity to meet so many talented, innovative, and lateral thinking vets. Although I feel very humble to receive an award with so many other committed vets also volunteering their time and energy for the AVA it was a complete honour that I will cherish dearly.” 

The AVA Fellow Award

The AVA Fellow Award recognises members who have contributed in many capacities to the AVA, including service to the Board, Group Committees, and working groups or representing the AVA in external working groups and the local community. This year, Dr Diane Ryan was awarded for her significant contributions to the AVA and the profession.

Diane said “I am both surprised and humbled to be made a Fellow of the AVA. I’d like to thank the AVA Aboard and my nominators for this honour and my colleagues - the most amazing colleagues - I’ve worked with in the AVA over the last 37 years. Thank you”

The Kesteven Medal

The Kesteven Medal is awarded to an Australian veterinarian in recognition of a distinguished contribution to international veterinary science by providing technical and scientific assistance to developing countries. This year, the Kesteven Medal was presented to Dr Chris Morrow for his significant achievements and contribution in combating the emergence of antimicrobial resistance in poultry.

^{Image: Dr Chris Morrow (GAZiPHOTO)}

Chris said “Sometimes, with all the travel I do, I think my friends are all around the globe, so it was great to be recognised by the Australian veterinary community with the Kesteven medal at the Gala Dinner. This was reinforced by people all night congratulating me even on the dance floor.  My PhD supervisor, Prof Kevin Whithear was there grinning like a proud parent.  Time to retire.”

The Kendall Oration

The Kendall Oration is awarded to a veterinarian who has made a significant career contribution to advancing veterinary science and the profession. It is only awarded when the AVA Conference is in Canberra or Melbourne, so it was a special honour to present this Award, as the AVA Conference had not been in Melbourne since 2017. This year the Kendall Oration was presented to Dr Sarah Webb.

^{Image: Dr Diana Barker with Dr Sarah Webb (GAZiPHOTO)}

Sarah said “I am honoured to find myself in the company of such esteemed previous Kendall Oration recipients.  I retired from practice in 2023 and this award is a wonderful highlight. I express my thanks to all those colleagues and friends who have contributed to my professional journey.”

The President's Award

The President's Award recognises an outstanding practical contribution, particularly within the preceding 5 years in the profession. This year the President’s Award was presented to Dr Alicia (Dr Lissi) Kennedy.

^{Image: Dr Diana Barker with Dr Alicia Kennedy (GAZiPHOTO)}

Alicia said "Receiving the AVA President’s Award is a wonderful endorsement of the work we are leading at Cherished Pets. This award fuels my unwavering determination to drive transformation for our communities through the power of the human-animal bond. I feel both proud and grateful for this recognition, and it is a testament to working from a place of empathy and kindness. If we work purposefully and collectively, we can create meaningful change for all pets and people. Heartfelt gratitude to Diana Barker for selecting me for this Award in 2024.”

The Gilruth Prize

The Gilruth Prize is the highest honour awarded each year by the AVA. It represents peer recognition for many years – often a lifetime – of dedication and service of the highest degree. This year the Gilruth Prize was awarded to Dr Peter Reid.

^{Image: Dr Peter Reid (GAZiPHOTO)}

On being award the Gilruth Prize, Peter said “To say that I am very humbled, honoured, and appreciative to receive the Gilruth Prize is an understatement. Being a single equine practitioner for 50 years has been a journey with lots of good times, but also beset with extraordinary confronting challenges, plus opportunities to help fellow veterinarians. It also meant many sacrifices in family life, and I especially pay tribute to my wife Yvonne for her unwavering love and support.”

Congratulations once again to all our 2024 AVA Award winners.