2024 Member Forum wrap up

^{AVA Directors presenting at the online 2024 Member Forum
From left to right
Top row: Dr Sally Colgan, AVA President, Professor James Gilkerson, AVA Vice President, Melissa King, AVA CEO 
Middle row: Assoc. Professor David Beggs, Dr Geeta Saini, Dr Tracy Sullivan 
Bottom row: Dr Diana Barker, Immediate Past President, Dr Gemma Chuck
Absent, Dr Mark Schipp}

The 2024 Member Forum was a virtual event on Thursday 13 June 2024. It commenced with a brief presentation, followed by an extensive ‘Q&A’ session with the Board, supported by AVA Staff. 

AVA President Sally Colgan welcomed Members, before introducing the Board and Chief Executive Officer Melissa King. She also announced Dr Alan Guilfoyle’s resignation as a Director of the Board. 

Sally began by outlining Stage 2 of the constitutional reform project, with David Beggs providing a detailed explanation of the need to modernise the Constitution to ensure it complies with current standards and the model provided by the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission. 

There was a constant flow of excellent questions, with interest around member demographics providing a good platform to discuss the planned review of membership value and feedback this year. AVA Vice President and Forum moderator James Gilkerson noted the importance of members engaging with AVA surveys and providing feedback, to best understand changing needs and priorities, and ultimately grow the membership base. 

Prominent advocacy topics, such as the veterinary workforce shortage, were discussed at length, underscoring the importance of these issues to our profession. This included the planned response for when the NSW Inquiry into Veterinary Workforce Shortage report is handed down at the end of June. Immediate Past President Diana Barker noted the intensive advocacy work on recent issues such as education debt forgiveness is developing sustained traction at the federal level, with growing awareness and understanding of our workforce issues.  

Veterinary education and the 2023 ‘Rethinking Veterinary Education’ report by the Veterinary Schools of Australia and New Zealand (VSANZ) was discussed, with David Beggs providing an update on some of the recommendations and how it informs our advocacy work. 

Diana Barker and David Beggs also shared insights and updates on the regulation and registration of paraprofessionals, noting the complexity in this area. The AVA is actively engaged in ongoing discussions with the Australian Veterinary Boards Council (AVBC) and the Veterinary Nurses Council of Australia (VNCA). 

The work to reinvigorate membership at the grassroots level and the results of the concerted effort and support for AVA Branches was well discussed. There was consensus on this as a priority, along with acknowledgement of some of the challenges. 

Initial feedback to the online Member Forum format was positive, with a total of 35 questions asked to the Board, and over 50 members online.  

If you’d like to submit feedback on the Forum, please email communications@ava.com.au