Queensland Division President’s Update
What a year it has been for the Queensland Division of the Australian Veterinary Association. The past 12 months have certainly been full-on, with plenty of challenges, opportunities and, importantly, some great examples of what we can achieve when our profession works together.
Firstly, I would like to welcome our incoming committee members. We are incredibly excited to have you joining us and look forward to working together over the coming year. I would also like to sincerely thank those committee members who are stepping away. Your time, energy and commitment to the Queensland Division and to our profession are greatly appreciated. Volunteer committees only work because people are willing to put their hands up, and we are very grateful for everything you have contributed.
A year of challenges and collaboration
Queensland has certainly had its share of challenges over the past year. The incursion of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has been a significant event for our state and has highlighted, once again, the critical role veterinarians play within Australia’s biosecurity system.
It has also demonstrated the strength of the relationships we have built with Biosecurity Queensland and other government and industry stakeholders. These relationships are incredibly important when we are responding to emerging disease threats, and the Queensland Division has been proud to contribute to these conversations.
We have also worked closely with other veterinary membership groups, including the Australian Cattle Veterinarians, particularly as Queensland has navigated significant environmental disasters and the ongoing challenges facing rural and regional communities. These experiences have reinforced the value of collaboration across our profession. We do not all work in the same areas, but many of the issues affecting veterinarians are shared, and there is real strength in working together.
Connecting with our profession and our communities
It has also been a big year for events across Queensland. Our branches have continued to provide opportunities for veterinarians to connect locally, share knowledge and, importantly, maintain those professional and personal relationships that are so important in our industry.
We are particularly pleased with the continued development of our relationships with Queensland politicians and government representatives. Having a strong and constructive relationship with government is essential if we are going to advocate effectively for our profession and for the communities we serve.
Veterinary regulation in Queensland
One of the significant opportunities ahead is the review of the Queensland Veterinary Surgeons Act.
The current legislation is decades old and does not necessarily reflect the way veterinary medicine is practised today. The Queensland Division welcomes the opportunity for meaningful consultation and is committed to ensuring that veterinarians have a strong voice throughout this process.
Our goal is to see a modern, practical and reliable regulatory framework that supports high standards of veterinary practice while recognising the realities of working across Queensland’s diverse veterinary industries.
This is an important piece of work for the profession, and we encourage Queensland veterinarians to engage with the consultation process when opportunities arise. The AVA has already commenced work to ensure member perspectives are captured and represented.
The strength of the AVA
We have also been incredibly thankful for the support provided by AVA National over the past 12 months, particularly through disaster management and response. These resources and networks have been leaned on significantly during some very challenging periods, and they demonstrate the value of having a strong national organisation supporting veterinarians at a state and local level.
This year has also brought significant change within the AVA itself, particularly with the introduction of the new membership model.
The new model has been designed to make AVA membership simpler, more flexible and more inclusive. Members can now choose between different individual membership tiers, with all tiers providing access to the AVA’s Special Interest Groups, while new group membership options provide a pathway for entire veterinary practices, government teams and academic groups to participate. (Australian Veterinary Association)
For Queensland, I think this presents a really exciting opportunity.
We hope the new model will encourage more veterinarians and veterinary professionals to engage with the AVA, whether that is through our Queensland Division, local branches, Special Interest Groups, events, advocacy or simply by connecting with colleagues across the profession.
The strength of the AVA ultimately comes from its members. The more people who participate, contribute their ideas and have their voices heard, the stronger our profession’s collective voice becomes.
Looking ahead
As we look towards the next 12 months, there is certainly no shortage of work ahead of us. From biosecurity and disaster response, to veterinary regulation, workforce challenges, professional advocacy and supporting our members, there is plenty to keep us busy.
But after what has been a very full year, I am incredibly positive about what lies ahead.
Thank you to everyone who has supported the Queensland Division over the past year — our committee members, branch volunteers, AVA staff, Special Interest Groups, government and industry partners, and, most importantly, our members.
It is a privilege to represent Queensland veterinarians, and I look forward to continuing to work with you all over the coming year.
Here’s to another big year for Queensland veterinary medicine.
Dr Regan Lynch BVSc 6885
2023 Nuffeild Scholar – AHA and PHA
AVA QLD Division President
