The Australian Veterinary Association is delighted to welcome Dr Diana Barker as incoming President for 2026–2027. The announcement was made at the 2026 AVA Awards Gala Dinner, held during the AVA Conference in Brisbane last night.
The AVA is also pleased to confirm Professor James Gilkerson as Vice President and Dr Margaret Reilly as Board Chair.
Dr Barker has previously served as AVA President in 2023–2024, and her return builds on a period of significant progress and renewed focus on governance, reform and strategic direction for the Association.
An experienced small animal surgeon, Dr Barker is the Managing Director of a practice group in Melbourne’s inner suburbs employing more than 60 staff. She holds an Executive MBA from Monash Business School, as well as her Membership of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists in small animal surgery. Dr Barker has long contributed to the profession through the Melbourne Metropolitan Practitioners Branch, the Victorian AVA Division, the AVA Veterinary Business Group, and as Chair of the THRIVE Advisory Committee.
In accepting the role, Dr Barker reflected on the AVA as a community where ideas are shared, friendships are formed, and leadership grows.
“As President, I want us to continue building an AVA that listens, that evolves, that welcomes diverse voices, and that helps shape a sustainable and positive future for veterinary professionals across Australia,” she said.
“Because belonging to the AVA should not feel complicated. It should feel welcoming, relevant and accessible. It should feel like there is a place here for everyone in this profession.”
The AVA extends its deepest thanks to outgoing President Dr Gemma Chuck, whose leadership delivered the completion of Stage 3 Constitution Reform and guided the most extensive profession-wide feedback in the AVA’s history. This work has culminated in the development of the AVA’s new all-inclusive membership model to be launched in June.
Looking back on a year of immense change, Dr Chuck acknowledged the depth of consultation and engagement that has underpinned the reform.
“This is a new era for the AVA, a refreshed and vibrant community that is committed to helping its members thrive,” she said.
The AVA thanks Dr Chuck for her dedication, leadership and vision.