Background to the Award
The John Holt Award is named in recognition of a preeminent founder of the ASAV, Dr John Holt. The ASAV as it is today started as a Small Animal Clinicians Group in 1967 when small animal practice was in its infancy. This group grew to become the ASAVA and later merged with the AVA. Dr Holt was very involved in the World Small Animal Association (WSAVA) and became President of the WSAVA in 1986.
Dr John Holt graduated from the University of Sydney in 1954 and started practice as a small animal clinician when he purchased the St George Animal Hospital in 1959. Based in his veterinary hospital in the suburbs of Sydney he became an international proponent of small animal practice. He understood the growing importance of high-quality small animal medicine and surgery, the human companion animal bond and animal welfare.
His vision for small animal practice and support and mentorship for the veterinarians who followed in his steps is legendary and it is very appropriate that this outstanding service award is named for him.
This award is given to any person, within or to an individual external to the veterinary profession, who has rendered outstanding service to the ASAV and its members.
Essential criteria
The recipient must qualify for each of the below:
- Be someone who, in the opinion of the majority of ASAV members, and/or ASAV Committee has offered service to the ASAV with distinction.
- Be an ASAV member in good standing.
Desirable criteria
In addition, the following criteria will further qualify a worthy recipient of this award:
- Has served on the ASAV Executive for at least four years and/or has been an ASAV member continuously for five years or more
- Has held major office (President/Treasurer)
- Has achieved outstanding outcomes whilst an ASAV Executive Committee member.
Application details
- An eligible applicant must be nominated by another colleague.
- Nominations are now open.
- Submissions must be received by Friday 5 June 2026, 5:00pm AEST.
- Winners should be available to attend the 2026 ASAV Conference, at the Novotel Sunshine Coast, QLD, on Wednesday 19 August 2026 to receive their award, however recipients may nominate a suitable representative (ASAV member) to accept on their behalf.
1977 – Mrs. M. Holt
1978 – Dr J. Kelly
1979 – Prof. M. Nairn
1980 – Prof. M. Rex
1981 – Mr. P. Bloom
1982 – Dr N. Freeman
1983 – Dr N. Japp
1984 – Ms. J. Wade
1985 – Dr R. Clarke
1986 – Prof. M. Rex
1987 – Not awarded
1988 – Dr J. Hamilton
1989 – Prof. T. Heath
1990 – Dr G. Wilkinson
1991 – Dr B. MacDonald
1992 – Not Awarded
1993 – Dr R. Ratcliffe
1994 – Dr J. Allen
1995 – Dr S. A. Carter
1996 – Dr R. B. Atwell
1997 – Dr S. Fearn
1998 – Dr J. Maddison
1999 – Dr A. Brown
2000 – Mr. D. Hutchinson
2001 – Mrs. B. Horsfield
2002 – Dr G. Macdonald
2003 – Mrs. D. Culliver
2004 – Ms. J. Wade
2005 – Dr Philip Brain
2006 – Dr Roger Clarke
2007 – Dr Diane Sheehan
2008 – Dr Matthew Retchford
2009 – Dr Deborah Osborne
2010 – Dr Graham Swinney
2011 to 2016 – Not awarded
2017 – Dr David Neck
2018 – Dr Adrian Choi
2019 – Not awarded
2020 – Not awarded
2021 – Dr Julia Crawford
2022 – Dr Geeta Saini
2023 – Dr Terry King
2024 – Dr Alistair Webb
2025 – Dr Karen Jackson