What s On? IN THIS ISSUE 25 June 2010

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1 What s On? IN THIS ISSUE 25 June 2010 Tibial Tuberosity Advancement and Modern Cruciate Surgery Wagga Wagga NSW June Upper Hunter Branch Annual Meeting July 8 Shoalhaven Branch Meeting Thyroid and Parathyroid disease Berry Hotel NSW July 8 Bain Fallon Memorial Lectures Hunter Valley NSW July ACT Christmas in July TBC ACT Partners in Veterinary Education Conference Camperdown NSW July A Word from our President Branch Liaison Officer report A Word from the EO EVA Young Members Group Regional Conference Vet 2011 Board of Directors update AVA PetPEP update Funding for Equine Diseases Funnies! NSW Division Regional Conference-Pathology Bateman s Bay NSW September From the President s Desk Geoff Tomkins My how time doth fly! The financial year all but over and still so much to do! I copped some flak over the equine dentistry issue, but the responses were not productive for any consensus decision-making. We need member input over what our stance should be on AVA policy, not some reaction to the premise that vets are incapable of doing a good job. I know that country vets are already providing top-quality service, in some instances, equal to any specialist. However, many are willing to defer and refer to another. In some cases, this other is not veterinary qualified (e.g. AI in cattle, mulesing in sheep, horse-shoeing AND dentistry). Currently, there is a policy for equine dentistry to be vet-only BUT if we are to sustain the argument, veterinary surgeons must be 1- available, and 2- prepared to do the work. At present,

2 many do not want to do the work or are not even there. My comments in the last E-Ructations were intended to draw comment from members about what our stance should be for a continuing policy. Please let us know. The Kath Farr memorial is under way at the meeting of NSW Division Committee on June 4, two of Kath s sons attended the inauguration of the scholarship. A photo of Kath, taken in fairly recent times, was unveiled in the St Leonards board room. The two family representatives, in true Kath Farr fashion, left quite an impression on committee members attending. Thanks to members Ted Irwin, past NSW president Nigel Scott and past committee member Roy Everett for their work in preparing the ground for this presentation. We need more contributions from members who knew Kath, both from those in the bush to promote student interest in country practice, and from the general community to perpetuate Kath s principles of confidence and self-sufficiency. If you can see your way clear to contribute even small amounts to the scholarship, please contact NSW Division. We need a cash investment of $20,000 to fund the annual prize for a final year student Investec Experien Offer Branch Liaison Officer Report Tara Cashman This month we highlight the Upper Hunter Branch which, as the name suggests, is in the beautiful Hunter Valley and surrounds. The region is famous for its vineyards and horse studs. Whilst I won't comment on the relationship between viticulture and vets, where there are horses there are vets to care for them. This branch has probably the largest number of equine vets in the one region in Australia. As a result it is no surprise that almost every branch event centres on the equine industry. In the recent past there have been lectures about the use of restricted drugs in horses, compounded medications, and the Veterinary Practice Act changes. The Upper Hunter Branch also combined with the Newcastle branch to host the NSW Divisional Conference with a theme of imaging in practice in March this year. Their next meeting in July is really relevant to all who work with horses. The night is titled "Hendra Virus - the first case in the Hunter will come as a surprise. Will you be the vet that sees it?" Be prepared, go and take part in the presentation by District Vets and be involved in the discussion. See the AVA website for details or contact Jim Rodgers on or jimvet@oz .com.au A Word From The Executive Officer Mark Fraser Hi all! Welcome to the June edition of E-Ructations. The recent Pan Pacific Conference was a fantastic success. It was great to catch up with members and industry along with fellow EOs and NZVA associates from across the ditch. The Kath Farr scholarship was officially announced a few weeks ago. The scholarship will be awarded annually to a final year female Sydney University student looking at living, working and staying in the country region. A special event was held at AVA head office on June 4 and a memorial portrait of Kath was unveiled in the board room. Kath s sons Gavin and Fergus flew down for the day to attend the service and add a few stories of their own. She definitely was an inspirational woman. If you would like to contribute

3 financially to the Kath Farr scholarship, please contact me at or give me a call on I would like to welcome Guild as our latest newsletter sponsor. Guild and Investec Experien have both signed up for a 12 month advertising contract. Their patronage is most appreciated. And finally, have you ever wanted to nominate a worthy veterinary colleague or associate for the Order of Australia Medal? Nominations can be received at the address below and will be treated with confidence. For more information, visit: If you have an article or an idea for the next newsletter, drop me a line. execnsw@ava.com.au Kath Farr Past President Rod Starr, Fergus Walker, Gavin Walker Fergus and Gavin Equine Veterinarians Australia- Young Members Group- Michelle Abraham Equine Veterinarians Australia (EVA) plays an important role in the lives and careers of veterinary students and recent graduates. The Young Members Group (YMG) was developed by the EVA through its special interest in fostering and growing young members. The group itself includes all veterinary undergraduate student EVA members and recent graduates up to 3 years post graduation. How does the EVA support Young Members? Continuing education - The EVA regards Young Members (YMs) as a high priority in the organisation and as such, has developed specific programs and opportunities targeted towards YMs including continuing education, seminars, workshops and clinical sessions. YMG workshops are held throughout the year and provide YMs with dramatically subsidised practical learning opportunities under the instruction and guidance of leading specialist equine veterinarians. Workshop topics have included; diagnostic skills, reproduction, diagnostic imaging and dentistry. YMG mentoring program - The EVA also provides assistance and support for young members during the transition to the veterinary workplace through a specific YMG Mentoring Program. Scholarships - Each year, the EVA also provides the opportunity for young members to apply for scholarships to attend the annual EVA Bain Fallon conference. There are 6 scholarships offered every year to young members who are involved in the equine industry and demonstrate outstanding ability and commitment to their profession. University student support the EVA now has a strong link to many of the veterinary schools within Australia. By supporting students and equine groups at each university, the EVA endeavours to assist in maximising career opportunities for veterinary students. In addition to providing speakers to talk on clinical topics, the EVA is now holding Career Days at each university to assist students in making informed decisions regarding their careers. The EVA regards its Young Members as a high priority and important part of the equine veterinary profession. As a result, the EVA encourages YMG representatives to actively participate in professional events and contribute to the EVA. The YMG president is also a member of the EVA core executive and is involved in professional communications which assists in keeping YMs up to date and also allows young members to be represented during such events.

4 For all enquiries please contact Michelle Abraham on or NSW Regional Conference Mark Fraser The next NSW Division regional conference will be held in beautiful Bateman s Bay from September The theme for the conference is Pathology and there will be a nurse and small animal stream. and zoonoses. Paul Canfield, Ann Fowler, Ian Lugton and Michelle Dennis are among the speakers currently confirmed. The conference will offer combined and stand alone sessions incorporating cytology, biosecurity, mental health There will also be a number of Wetlab sessions over the weekend, along with Friday night welcome drinks and Saturday dinner and guest speaker. A sponsorship prospectus has been released and response has been positive. Provet has been confirmed as platinum sponsor. Delegate registrations will be open shortly. Members will receive notice via . So pencil in the dates and join us on the sunny south coast in September for some Vet Ed points and a social catch-up. Vet Years of Veterinary Science The world s first veterinary school was founded in Lyon, France, in 1761, shortly followed by the Alfort veterinary school, near Paris, in 1764; both of them at the initiative of French veterinarian Claude BOURGELAT. This means that 2011 will mark the 250th world anniversary of veterinary education. Vet2011 is an international celebration of the veterinary profession and as an associate of Vet2011 the AVA is planning a number of initiatives. Promotional stickers, flyers and posters information were distributed to attendees at the PanPac conference. Vets around the country are being encouraged to promote Vet2011 in their practices through open days, BBQs etc. A number of Vet2011children s activities are now available on the AVA PetPEP website as well. As 2011 draws closer, the AVA will be announcing a number of celebratory events leading up to the January launch and National Conference session in Adelaide If you would like a Vet2011 promotional pack, please contact us on For more information log onto AVA Board of Directors 2010 Dr Barry Smyth, AVA President, Nominee of EVA Dr Mark Lawrie, Director Please note the following update regarding the AVA Board of Directors 2010 listing: Dr Barry Smyth is the new AVA President Dr Kevin McGrath has resigned from the Board Dr Ron Harris has been appointed to the Board Positions of Vice-President and Treasurer will be decided at the July Board meeting The AVA Board of Directors 2010 is listed as follows:

5 Dr Ben Gardiner, Director Dr Steve Atkinson, Director Dr Michelle Cotton, Director, Nominee of ASAVA Dr Peter Gibbs, Director Dr Ron Harris, Director, Nominee of ACV Dr Julia Nicholls, Director Dr Pam Short, Director AVA PetPEP new kids activity booklet now out Mark Fraser Just to keep it fresh in your mind, a reminder that the AVA Pets and People Education Program has been completely revamped and now offers an easy to access and implement program that not only spreads the AVA PetPEP Key Messages, but can also prove an excellent marketing tool for your practice. With a wealth of information on the new website ( and over 60 worksheets and related lesson plans, it s now easer than ever to get involved. To further enhance the AVA PetPEP offering we now have two children s activity booklets (junior & primary). The booklets are based on the key messages and contain catch cries, activities and information. A huge thank you to Tim Adams and PIAS for their kind sponsorship of the initial booklets. These have now been distributed to all states. AVA PetPEP educating the pet owners of today and tomorrow. Funding For Equine Diseases- Your input needed! The NSW Minister for Primary Industries Steve Whan recently attended a meeting of the Primary Industries Ministerial Council. The Council agreed that Australian horse industries need to establish a national funding mechanism to ensure industry contributes to a pool of funds in the event of another equine influenza outbreak. It was stated in the Minister s letter that if the Australian horse industries are to continue to benefit from being free of the 20 or so diseases that are listed under the current Emergency Animal Disease Response Agreement, the horse industry needs to be prepared to work closely with State and Federal Governments. This includes preparing for and responding to an outbreak of any of these diseases and to fund a portion of a disease eradication response. The deadline for developing a response funding mechanism for emergency horse diseases is December 1, The Minister is interested in comments and ideas on how such a funding mechanism may work. In the event that the horse industries identify a mechanism, the Australian Government has committed to introduce legislation accordingly. If you have any comments or offerings please forward to execnsw@ava.com.au so we may compile an AVA NSW response. For more information contact diane.ryan@industry.nsw.gov.au or AVA Members HR Advisory Service For all your HR problems or enquiries, contact the team at Members HR Advisory Service on or them at avahrhotline@whr.com.au On the Lighter Side! Trivia & Funnies

6 Mad Cow Disease One day two cows were chatting over the fence between their two fields. The first cow said, "I'm telling you, this mad cow disease is getting pretty scary! I've heard it's spreading so fast that it's already on Farmer John s land just down the road!" The second cow replied, "So what? It doesn't affect us chickens!" Did you hear the one about The Taco Bell Chihuahua, a Doberman and a Bulldog are in a bar having a drink when a great-looking female Collie comes up to them and says, "Whoever can say liver and cheese in a sentence can have me." So the Doberman says, "I love liver and cheese." The Collie replies, "That's not good enough." The Bulldog says, "I hate liver and cheese." She says, "That's not creative enough." Finally, the Chihuahua says, "Liver alone... cheese mine." Boom Boom! AVA NSW DIVISION Unit 40, 6 Herbert Street St Leonards NSW 2065 NSW Division Executive Officer Mark Fraser Phone: execnsw@ava.com.au Web: The Australian Veterinary Association ABN