Help Represent NSW Veterinarians: Join the AVA NSW Division Committee

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

Message from AVA NSW Division President, Dr Amy Regis (Lee)
Are you passionate about shaping the future of the veterinary profession? Join the NSW Division Committee and be the voice that drives change.

Who we are.

• We’re a think tank. We explore advocacy issues that matter to the veterinary community, gather insights from AVA members, and develop strategic approaches to strengthen our influence with key stakeholders — including government.
• We’re a voice. We channel the concerns and ideas of AVA members to where they’ll make an impact — engaging with government, the NSW Veterinary Practitioners Board, and the Chief Veterinary Officer, amongst many others. We also work with media to raise public awareness of veterinary issues.
• We’re a catalyst for change. We turn advocacy into action — and action into progress — through consistent, collaborative communication with decision-makers and the wider community.

When I joined the NSW Division Committee, I never imagined how inspired, challenged, and fulfilled I would feel. The experience has completely transformed my view of the veterinary field. In clinical practice, I can make a difference one patient at a time — but through the Committee, I’ve discovered I can help shape the future of our entire profession.

It’s a privilege to work alongside such caring, intelligent, and capable veterinarians, and to represent our colleagues on a broader stage.

If you’re passionate about being part of meaningful change in our veterinary community, we’d love to hear from you.

About the AVA NSW Division Committee
AVA NSW 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 NSW Division Committee to consider and for the AVA to respond to.
• Participating in and contributing to Committee discussions, with approximately five meetings each year (four held via Zoom and one face to face).
• Providing feedback on out-of-session email consultations to help shape AVA submissions.

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

Recent AVA NSW Division Advocacy Activities
The AVA NSW Division Committee activities include but not limited to:

• Working with the NSW Government to progress the recommendations from the Inquiry into the Veterinary Workforce Shortages in NSW
• Review of the NSW Veterinary Practice Legislation
• Recent engaging with NSW Health regarding the proposed amendments following the review of the NSW Medicines Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Regulation
• Submission to the Inquiry into Game and Feral Animal Legislation Amendment (Conservation Hunting) Bill 2025
• Submission, public hearing attendance, and further responses to questions for the Inquiry into the management of cat populations
• 2025-26 NSW Pre-Budget Submission to the NSW Government
  
  

How to Get Involved
If you are interested in joining the AVA NSW Committee, please submit an Expression of Interest (EOI), including a short bio (maximum 500 words), by Monday, 24 November 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 NSW 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.