Help Represent ACT Veterinarians: Join the AVA ACT Division Committee

Help Represent ACT Veterinarians: Join the AVA ACT Division Committee

The AVA ACT Division Committee is inviting AVA Members to get involved and help shape the future of veterinary practice in the ACT. We currently have casual vacancies on the Committee and are seeking passionate AVA members to join us.

Message from AVA ACT Division President, Dr Anna Julia Gabrielson

The ACT AVA Division is a small but mighty group representing a small but might territory. Because of the size of the ACT we are able to be quite impactful and address a wide variety of issues. Things we do include: reviewing legislation for animal welfare, veterinary medicine and responsible pet ownership; provide vets in Canberra with networking opportunities and resources for CPD; advocate for changes needed in our profession with ACT government, the CVO and the veterinary board; advertise opportunities and fill gaps in veterinary volunteering; coordinate with other AVA groups to drive national change for Australian veterinarians and veterinary staff. 

Being on a committee with other vets passionate about improving our profession has inspired me to broaden what kind of vet I am. Many of these kind people have since become friends and the diverse range of experiences and backgrounds mean that I have a broad network of people I can call on for support, especially as a new graduate vet.

This is an experience which I would highly recommend to other vets in Canberra, no matter what background or number of years in the field. 

About the AVA ACT Division Committee

AVA ACT Division Committee members play an important role in supporting the development and delivery of the Division’s activities. Their contributions include:

• Representing the veterinary profession by raising identified concerns and matters for the ACT Division Committee to consider and for the AVA to respond to.
• Participating in and contributing to Committee discussions, with approximately four meetings each year (three held via Zoom and one face to face).
• Providing feedback on out-of-session email consultations to help shape AVA submissions.
• Helping to arrange ACT Division and Branch events that support and connect members.

For further information on the AVA Division Committees, please refer to the AVA Division and Branch Handbook.

Recent AVA ACT Division Advocacy Activities

The AVA ACT Division Committee activities include but not limited to:

• AVA 2024 ACT Election Priorities
• ACT 2025-26 Pre-Budget Submission & Government Roundtable Discussion
• ACT Review of Veterinary Practice
• ACT Codes of Practices reviewed, and feedback provided on the welfare of Dogs, Cattle, Sheep, Poultry (non-commercial)
• Meetings with the ACT Veterinary Practice Board, ACT Chief Pharmacist and Chief Veterinary Officer
• ACT Equine Emergency Preparedness & After-Hours Public Communications
• ACT Medical Gases Regulation Changes
• ACT Territory Plan Amendment – Definition of a Veterinary Clinic

How to Get Involved

If you are interested in joining the AVA ACT Committee, please submit an Expression of Interest (EOI), including a short bio (maximum 500 words), by Monday, 29 September 2025. Please send EOI to AVA Senior Advocacy Officer Liz Gemes at Liz.Gemes@ava.com.au

As outlined in the Handbook, if a committee member resigns prior to the end of their term, the Committee may appoint a member to fill this casual vacancy until the next Division Committee election. The ACT Division Committee will review all EOIs received and appoint members to fill the current casual vacancies.

Please note that the AVA will be holding the formal biennial Division Committee elections in February 2026, when Committee members are elected for a two-year term.