2026 AVA Award Winners

 

Congratulations to our 2026 AVA Award winners!

The AVA Awards are a celebration of veterinary excellence and dedication to the profession, and this year’s recipients are worthy winners. Presented at the AVA Awards Gala Dinner on Wednesday 20 May at AVA Conference in Brisbane, this memorable occasion honoured their remarkable achievements and invaluable contributions.

Professor Bill Tranter - President's Award

The President’s Award is awarded by the AVA President in consultation with the AVA Board and this year it is deeply personal to me. This award recognises an individual who has contributed in an outstanding practical way to the veterinary profession.

Professor Bill Tranter has developed influential education programs, pioneered preventative herd health management, contributed to dairy herd software, and has offered his service as a NABSnet QLD advisor and a strong advocate for the AVA, including as a past ACV President. Despite numerous achievements including the ACV Bovine Practitioner of the Year, a ANZCVS Honorary Fellowship and his practice Tableland Veterinary Service receiving the inaugural ACV Clinical Support Practice Award in 2026, he remains exceptionally humble, with a practical, respectful and calm teaching approach that empowers young vets to succeed.

Emeritus Professor Roger Morris - Gilruth Prize

The Gilruth Prize is the highest honour awarded each year by the AVA and represents peer recognition for many years – often a lifetime – of dedication and service of the highest degree. Our previous recipients have distinguished themselves through their valued contributions across diverse areas of veterinary science, both in Australia and globally. With their work ranging from research, literature and education to animal welfare, advocacy and practice management, all recipients of the Gilruth Prize are united by the exceptional impact they’ve had on the veterinary profession.

Emeritus Professor Roger Morris has provided outstanding service to the veterinary profession for more than five decades through his leadership in veterinary epidemiology, biosecurity, disease control and education in Australia, New Zealand and internationally. He has played an influential role in enhancing our understanding and management of major animal and zoonotic diseases and was an early pioneer in using computing and bespoke software to translate epidemiological science into practical decision‑making tools for governments, veterinarians and industry. As Assistant Chief Veterinary Officer for Australia and later as Gilruth Professor at Massey University, he strengthened national biosecurity capability and led the internationally‑recognised EpiCentre, which trains veterinarians and public health professionals from over 50 countries. Roger continues to contribute to global health security through consultancy and One Health capacity‑building, leaving an enduring international legacy worthy of the Gilruth Prize.

 

Dr Leslie (Les) Sims - Kesteven Medal

It takes an exceptional veterinarian to look outside the familiarity of their home environment and endeavour to serve the profession beyond our borders. The Kesteven Medal is awarded to an Australian veterinarian in recognition of their distinguished contribution to international veterinary science via the provision of technical and scientific assistance to developing countries.

Dr Leslie (Les) Sims, is a most worthy recipient of this accolade, recognising his expert application of scientific evidence to the control of infectious animal diseases globally, and for his strong advocacy to governments and development partners to modernise disease control programs. His leadership in avian influenza control, particularly the successful control and eradication program of H5N1 in Hong Kong using vaccination, has informed national and regional programs across South‑East Asia, and he has since consulted widely for the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation, World Bank and numerous countries on avian influenza and African Swine Fever. His contributions have been recognised on the international stage, most notably when the 8th International Symposium on Avian Influenza was dedicated to him in 2012, and the presentation of the Dr David Banks Biosecurity Lifetime Achievement Award in 2024.

 

Meritorious Service Awards

The Meritorious Service Award recognises special or long-term service to the AVA, its Divisions, Branches and Special Interest Groups. This year we have 3 members that are being recognised with the Meritorious Service Award.

Dr Stacey Rae

Dr Stacey Rae has made an outstanding contribution to the Australian veterinary profession through her leadership, clinical excellence and strong advocacy for rural practice, particularly within the Australian Cattle Veterinarians SIG. Since graduating in 2010, she has built and expanded a thriving regional mixed animal practice while maintaining advanced expertise in bovine and equine reproduction and has played a pivotal leadership role within the AVA and ACV, including serving as ACV President from 2024 to 2026. Through her work as BULLCHECK Convenor, her leadership during Queensland flood disasters, and her ongoing mentorship of students and graduates, Stacey exemplifies dedicated service and commitment to colleagues, producers and the profession.  

 

Dr Susan Swaney

Dr Susan Swaney has devoted her career to advancing sheep husbandry, nutrition and welfare through research, government, private practice, university teaching and industry roles in Australia and the UK, while also operating a prime lamb and beef enterprise and mentoring new graduates. She has consistently promoted best practice grazing management, parasite control and vaccination in sheep and cattle, underpinned by a masters degree in sheep nematodiasis and continued extension of best practice through veterinary and farmer networks. A long‑standing AVA member, Susan has served on the Sheep, Camelid and Goat Veterinarians Executive and as President, playing a key role in developing the Sheep Toolkit to support veterinarians at all stages of sheep practice.

 

Dr Deborah Monks

Dr Deborah Monks has been a leading figure in avian and exotic veterinary medicine for over 20 years, providing outstanding clinical expertise, advocacy and leadership in Australia and internationally. Her extensive service to the AVA includes leadership of the Unusual Pets and Avian Veterinarians SIG, where she was instrumental in securing the rabbit haemorrhagic disease vaccine, advancing key policy initiatives, and supporting members throughout the COVID‑19 pandemic, while continuing as a prominent educator, author and international spokesperson. Through her roles as President and Head Examiner with the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists and Outreach Committee member of the European College of Zoological Medicine, alongside more than 20 publications and ongoing mentorship, Dr Monks has made a lasting and exemplary contribution to the profession.

 

Dr Liam Mowbray - Emerging Leader

Proudly sponsored by Bank of Queensland Specialist.

The Emerging Leader Award, recognises new leaders within the profession who have already made a notable contribution to the sector and have demonstrated the potential for leadership and continuing service within 8 years of their graduation. 

Having graduated in 2020, Dr Liam Mowbray has already made a strong contribution to the cattle industry through his dual roles as an R&D Specialist with Angus Australia and as director of the bovine‑focused practice Barrington Breeders, supporting his local rural community. He is an active educator, regularly presenting at conferences, workshops and field days on bovine health, reproduction and genetics. While serving as the Australian Cattle Vets Young Members Representative, Liam established a national network of ACV student representatives and he proudly contributes to multiple ACV education initiatives including the PREGCHECK Program and the ACV Moosletter.

 

Dr Paige Ayton - Don Kerr Student Award

Dr Paige Ayton is recognised for outstanding academic achievement and a strong commitment to cattle medicine throughout her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Sydney. She consistently ranked among the top students in cattle health, earned multiple competitive scholarships, and demonstrated excellent clinical reasoning, technical skill and professionalism during livestock placements, supported by research in evidence‑based cattle production. Through extensive practical experience across diverse cattle systems and active engagement with the profession, Paige represents an emerging veterinarian of exceptional promise, dedication and professionalism.