The Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) is a not-for-profit association representing more than 6000 Australian

veterinarians A veterinarian (vet), also known as a veterinary surgeon or veterinary physician, is a medical professional who practices veterinary medicine. They manage a wide range of health conditions and injuries in non-human animals. Along with this, vet ...

working in private practice, government, industry, and academia. The AVA was mooted before the First World War but not founded until 1921. The nineteenth century predecessor organisation was the Australasian Veterinary Medical Association. Prominent veterinarians who have been members of the Australian Veterinary Association include Professor J.D. Stewart (who was the first AVA President),

Ian Clunies Ross Sir William Ian Clunies Ross CMG (22 February 189920 June 1959) was an Australian veterinary scientist. He has been described as the 'architect' of Australia's scientific boom, for his stewardship of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial ...

(former head of the CSIRO), and parasitologist Hugh Gordon. The AVA provides information resources, continuing education opportunities, publications, public education programs, and professional support. The AVA also lobbies government on a number of fronts. Special interest groups have existed within the AVA since the early 1960s. These include groups dedicated to equine medicine, cattle, practice management, avian health, sheep, conservation and animal welfare. Some of the special interest groups publish their own peer reviewed journals. The Australian Veterinary History Society is a division of the association. Recent lobbying efforts include live cattle export and research into the deadly

Hendra Virus Hendra virus (HeV), scientific name ''Hendra henipavirus'', is a bat-borne virus that is associated with a highly fatal infection in horses and humans. Numerous disease outbreaks in Australia among horses have been caused by Hendra virus. The Hend ...

. The AVA has published the ''Australian Veterinary Journal'' since 1925.

Past and current presidents

*2019 - current: Dr Julia Crawford *2017-2019: Dr Paula Parker *2015-2017: Dr Robert Johnson *2012-2014: Dr Ben Gardiner *2010-2012: Dr Barry Smyth *2008-2010: Dr Mark Lawrie *2007-2008: Dr Dianne Sheehan *2006-2007: Dr Kersti Seksel *2005-2006: Dr Matt Makin *2004-2005: Dr Norm Blackman *2002-2003: Dr Joanne Sillince *2001-2002: Dr Robert Baker *2000-2001: Dr Ian Denney *1999-2000: Dr Garth McGilvray *1998-1999: Dr Geoffrey Niethe *1997-1998: Dr Roger Clarke *1996-1997: Dr Bill Scanlan *1995-1996: Dr Pamela Scanlon *1994-1995: Dr Michael Banyard *1993-1994: Dr Jakob Malmo *1991-1992: Dr John Plant *1989-1990: Dr Ian Fairnie *1988-1989: Professor Mary Barton *1987-1988: Dr Russell Duigan *1986-1987: Dr Terence Collins *1985-1986: Dr David Lindsay *1983-1984: Dr Jack Arundel *1982-1983: Dr Helen Jones *1981-1982: Dr Bryan Woolcock *1980-1981: Dr William Pryor *1978-1979: Dr Ian Pearson *1966-1967: Dr Bruce Eastick

Past notable board members

* Sam McMahon, an Australian politician for the

Country Liberal Party The Country Liberal Party of the Northern Territory (CLP) is a centre-right political party in Australia's Northern Territory. In local politics it operates in a two-party system with the Australian Labor Party (ALP). It also contests federal ...

and a Senator for the

Northern Territory The Northern Territory (commonly abbreviated as NT; formally the Northern Territory of Australia) is an Australian territory in the central and central northern regions of Australia. The Northern Territory shares its borders with Western Aust ...

in the

Parliament of Australia The Parliament of Australia (officially the Federal Parliament, also called the Commonwealth Parliament) is the legislature, legislative branch of the government of Australia. It consists of three elements: the monarch (represented by the ...

in 2019, served on the board from 2004-2009.

References

{{authority control Veterinary medicine-related professional associations Professional associations based in Australia 1921 establishments in Australia Veterinary organizations Veterinary medicine in Australia