President's message from Dr Sally Colgan - December 2024

^{Dr Sally Colgan with Graham Pratt, National Manager – Advocacy, Parliament House, December 2024}

As we close out 2024, it’s fitting to reflect on the progress we’ve made together over the past 12 months. This success has been a shared effort, with members, AVA staff, our dedicated volunteers, and your board, all playing vital roles in advancing the association throughout the year.

Some major achievements should be called out and celebrated – ‘tis the season for celebration and festivity after all!

The Constitution reform process, which defines our purpose, governance framework, and underpins our mission to support our members, has made significant progress through Stage 2. This has set a strong foundation for Stage 3, where we will build on these changes to ensure the constitution remains fit for purpose and effectively supports our modern member association.

The AVA exists to serve and represent our members, and we have made this a clear priority in 2024. We want to hear from you, and we are listening. We are actively implementing changes based on your feedback.

^{AVA Board Members with Chief Executive Melissa King, AVA Member Forum, June 2024}

The AVA Stakeholder Survey and many focus group sessions, with members and non-members alike, have provided extremely valuable insights that have helped inform and shape the emerging AVA Strategic Plan 2025-2028. Your contributions have guided our approach so we can effectively support and advocate on the issues that matter most to you and your colleagues.

At the heart of our advocacy efforts and so many other functions of the AVA, the Policy Advisory Council (PAC) and its dedicated team of AVA staff and volunteers have worked tirelessly to develop policies that reflect the consensus view of AVA members on key issues impacting the profession. In 2024, through 34 working groups, PAC developed 11 new policies and worked on updating 23 existing policies. There are currently 20 PAC working groups progressing further policy updates and new drafts for the next cycle. PAC is your voice and represents your opinions, which form the foundation of the AVA and what we stand for and believe in. If you wish to become more involved in this process beyond the opportunities provided when member comment is sought, contact your SIG or Division executive committee.

In 2024, we have significantly increased our social media presence, highlighting the incredible work of your AVA Advocacy team in ensuring our priorities are front and centre with politicians at both state and federal levels across the country. Engaging with government and key stakeholders to raise awareness of the need to fund and support the veterinary profession and the essential work we do has been a key focus over the past months, and will remain so as the federal election approaches in early 2025. While our messages have been shared widely and well-received, we need your support to amplify our voice. I encourage members to get involved and engage with your local MPs and candidates about the issues that matter to you as we head into the upcoming federal election.

The hugely successful AVA Conference in Melbourne in May 2024 was a powerful reminder that professional and collegial networks are the conduits for progress, opening doors to new opportunities, while also providing access to high-quality CPD that supports both individual development and the advancement of our profession.

In 2025, I hope you continue to make the most of these opportunities and enjoy being part of such a strong and supportive professional community.

Veterinary students are our future, yet they continue to face significant challenges, including mounting student debt and increasing cost of living pressures. The AVA is committed to securing better access to funding for veterinary education and advocating for the inclusion of veterinary students in the Commonwealth Prac Payment Scheme, as part of a broader range of election priorities and advocacy efforts. We are also building stronger connections with students on campus during O-Week and through "transition to practice" events, increased graduate-specific AVA communications, and we’re creating new opportunities for students to engage with the AVA Policy Advisory Council.

^{Dr Mark Schipp, Dr Bronwyn Orr, Dr Sally Colgan, Graham Pratt, National Workforce Data and Governance Roundtable, August 2024}

Workforce shortages and challenges remain a critical concern, not just in Australia but around the world. The NSW Parliamentary Inquiry and Report on the veterinary workforce shortage in NSW highlighted many key issues facing veterinarians in both clinical and non-clinical roles. We continue to advocate for tangible changes and are working with the State government to progress the recommendations outlined in this report.

Fundamental to instigating change and seeking support where it is most needed is the acquisition of meaningful data. The AVA is working with the Office of the Chief Veterinary Officer and other relevant stakeholders post the National Workforce Data and Governance Roundtable to bridge this gap in our knowledge. The AVA’s 7^th Veterinary Workforce Survey report in October provides valuable data and the insights gained from these combined efforts will help drive meaningful change for our workforce in the years to come.

^{Dr Sally Colgan with Dr Diana Barker, AVA Immediate Past President, THRIVE Cultivating Safe Teams Stakeholder Summit, November 2024}

The AVA Stakeholder Survey reinforced the AVA’s direction for the AVA THRIVE veterinary wellness initiative. Veterinary-specific support programs are integral to addressing the burnout and mental health challenges facing our profession and we look forward to the next phase of the Cultivating Safe Teams program in 2025.

A major win for the profession came in December, when the profession of ‘veterinarian’ was reclassified in the ANZCSO (or OSCA) system from ‘Natural and Physical Science Professionals’ to ‘Miscellaneous Health Professionals’. This update more accurately reflects the broad scope of skills, responsibilities, standards, and societal value of veterinarians. The reclassification will have a positive impact on data, modelling, and, ultimately, on government funding and policy decisions.

The sudden disruption in IV fluid supply in 2024 had significant impacts on both the human health and veterinary sectors. The AVA played a key role in gaining a deeper understanding of the issues, keeping our members informed and collaborating with stakeholders, including manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers and government, to gather information and explore alternative solutions. Through our advocacy efforts in Canberra the AVA now sit alongside our medical colleagues on the National IV Fluids Response Group, working on solutions and supply chain modelling to help prevent product shortages from negatively affecting practice and patient welfare.

The management of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) outbreaks has been a key focus in 2024. The AVA has been involved in response planning, working to ensure that veterinarians play a central role in decision-making processes.

^{Mackie at Parliament House, December 2024, undertaking important advocacy work for the AVA.}

I was recently invited to appear on the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) ‘My Veterinary Life’ podcast. We had a great chat about my career journey and some of the things I’ve discovered along the way. You can listen to the episode here.

On behalf of the AVA Board, I’d like to wish you all a happy and safe festive season. As animals don’t necessarily acknowledge the holiday calendar, a special thank you to all veterinarians who continue to provide essential services and animal care during this time.

Dr Sally Colgan

AVA President