Speech in the ACT Legislative Assembly
7 June 2012
Late last month hundreds of veterinarians and associated industry professionals descended on Canberra for the 2012 annual Australian Veterinary Association conference. The ACT division of the AVA, led by President Dr John Aspley Davis, welcomed visitors to the ACT for four days between 20 and 25 May.
The well-established association seeks to be the premier reference point for all topics relating to the veterinary profession, including veterinary careers, veterinary science, animal production and public policy relating to animals. The focus of this year’s conference was on the long-term sustainability of the veterinary profession.
The annual conference provides a central meeting point for veterinarians from across Australia, all fields of practice as well as the industries and government departments that support the profession.
The four-day program saw a range of topics of discussion and a number of intentional guest speakers. The conference was supported by one of the biggest veterinary trade displays in the country and each year it attracts the largest crowd of veterinary professionals in Australia.
I would like to acknowledge the conference program committee who were responsible for the success of this year’s event: the convenor, Dr David Begg; Dr David Neck; Dr Sue Beetson; Dr Andrew Nathan; Dr Tanya Stephens; Dr Michael Reichel; Dr Maureen Revington; Dr Gaille Perry; Dr Steve Atkinson; the special interest group program coordinators; Kandy Musgrave, the national events manager; and Lauren Gadd, the events coordinator.
I would also like to acknowledge the board of the Australian Veterinary Association: President Dr Ben Gardiner, Treasurer Dr Sue Beetson, Director Dr Steve Atkinson, Director Dr Peter Chenoweth, Vice President Dr Peter Gibbs, Director Dr Alistair Henderson, Director Dr David Neck, Director Dr Julia Nicholls and Director Dr Barry Smyth.
I commend and thank the association for holding their event in Canberra. I am proud of our city and all that it has to offer visitors. I hope all delegates, exhibitors and guests made the most of their time in the nation’s capital. I wish all the members all the best for next year’s conference.
