QLD Division President's Report - November 2024

The year is truly running away from us now!  

The Queensland Division committee would like to welcome Dr Tamara Olley, who has joined us as Dr Marg Reilly has moved into her role on the AVA Board. Dr Tamara brings a wealth of experience, starting her journey undertaking a Bachelor of Applied Science - Animal Production with an honors year at UQ. She completed her Veterinary Surgery and Medicine degree through Murdoch before landing in the Atherton Tablelands. She is currently one of the directors at Tableland Veterinary Services, providing veterinary services to a wide variety of species and teaching JCU veterinary science students. Thank you, Tamara, for putting forward your time to the division. 

We would also like to thank Drs Laura Seccull and Katelyn Shannon for taking up roles with the Far North Queensland and North Queensland branches. I really believe that so much benefit comes from our branches, their events, and their involvement within the division, and it is fantastic to see young vets putting their hands up to give back. 

We would like to acknowledge Dr Peter Reid, who was awarded the 2024 AVA Gilruth Prize. This award celebrates his 50 years of service to the equine industry and highlights, in particular, his contributions to the thoroughbred industry and his involvement in the veterinary Hendra response.  

AVA Award nominations for 2025 will open soon. If you know a member who you believe would be a worthy recipient, please nominate them for the 2025 awards.   

The Division has held several events in the last few months, and we would like to thank all our sponsors, speakers, branch members, and attendees for supporting these events. The division is very proud that we are able to offer events for our members and also wants to recognise the hard work put in by our volunteer branch members to run them.  

James Cook University recently held its 2024 Rural Practitioners Day, with over 100 students participating in 7 diverse practical stations—covering equine gastroscopy, bovine eye and brain removal, and even cassowary postmortem. Thank you to members Dr Alex Rasmussen, Dr Chris Duke, Dr Ben Czerwonka-Ledez, Dr Courtney Perna, and Dr Graham Lauridsen, who generously donated their time to the event.  

Looking at the calendar for 2024, future events include the EVA QLD Spring State Meeting & Dinner on 21 November in Brisbane: Join Dr Mark McGarry (EVA State Representative) for dinner and hear from Drs Paul Robinson and Nathan Anthony. 

Save the Dates: 

45th Bain Fallon Memorial Lectures: 20th July - 24 July 2025, Sunshine Coast

50th ASAV Annual Conference with AVDS, AVCB and UPAV: 25th-28th August 2025, Cairns 

As always I am happy to speak with members on QLD AVA matters, or if you have any feedback or suggestions for us going forward.