2025 AVA Board of Directors election results announced
01 May 2025The 2025 AVA Board of Directors election saw 6 veterinarians nominate.
This year there were vacancies for 2 of these nominees to be appointed as directors for a three-year term, and 1 of these nominees to be appointed as a director for a one-year term.
The 3 successful candidates are:
- Dr Diana Barker
- Dr David Johnson
- Professor Margaret Reilly
Terms for the elected directors will be announced at the Annual General Meeting on 8 May 2025. The AGM will be virtual and registration is required to attend. Please click here for more information.
We congratulate Dr Barker and Professor Reilly on the renewal of their positions, and welcome Dr Johnson to the AVA Board.
About the elected Board Directors
Dr Diana Barker
“I am grateful for the opportunity to continue representing members on the AVA Board. I look forward to building on the work we have started to deliver membership value and positive outcomes for our profession.”
Dr Barker is an experienced small animal surgeon and the managing director of a practice group in Melbourne’s inner suburbs employing more than 60 staff. She holds an Executive MBA from the Monash Business School and obtained her Membership with Australia New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists in small animal surgery.
Diana has represented the profession at both regional and state level including roles with the Melbourne Metropolitan Practitioners Branch and the Victorian AVA Division, as well as being an active member of the AVA’s Veterinary Business Group and the Chair of the Veterinary Wellness Steering Group. Diana was President of the AVA in 2023–2024.
Dr David Johnson
"It is an honour to be elected to the AVA Board as your representative and I would like to thank all members who voted in the election. I look forward to working with the new Board and representing regional and rural practitioners."
Dr Johnson is a highly respected veterinarian with over 40 years of experience in mixed practice, particularly equine medicine. Over that time, his regional practice grew to a 16-vet team and was recognised with the AVA's Best Mixed Practice Award in 2014. David has extensive experience in equine sports medicine and attended three Olympics as a vet: Sydney, Hong Kong (Beijing) and was a member of the Australian Olympic Team in London as the show jumping team veterinarian.
He is an FEI Official and remains active at race meetings and Three-Day Events nationwide. His contributions to the profession have been honoured with a Fellowship of the Australian Veterinary Association (2017) and Honorary Life Membership of Equine Veterinarians Australia (2021). Now retired, David enjoys golf, bridge, travelling, and time with his family.
Professor Margaret Reilly
“I am very excited to be re-elected to the AVA Board as it provides continuity for the Board and the exciting projects planned for 2025 and beyond. I look forward to serving the membership over this current term.”
Margaret graduated from Murdoch University with a Master of Veterinary Studies in 1994, she holds an MBA, is a fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia (FGIA) and a Graduate AICD (GAICD). She is currently the Professor of Practice (Veterinary Science) at James Cook University, where she manages the external relationships with the profession, the provision of continuing education for the veterinary discipline and teaches veterinary business management to undergraduate students.
Margaret has extensive corporate, clinical and academic experience and is a member of the Veterinary Surgeons Board of Queensland. Previously, she has owned (or co-owned) two privately operated veterinary practices for 13 years. Margaret has served in numerous leadership roles within the AVA, including Division and Branch President, and has been actively involved in key committees including the AVA Advocacy Advisory Committee and AVBC Sustainable Practice Committee. In 2020, she was awarded the AVA Meritorious Service Award, as testament to her long-term service to the AVA.