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College Courier - December 2025 edition

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December 2025 edition

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Contents 03

CEO Column

04

President’s Report

05

Chief Examiner’s Report

06

Project Officer’s Report

07

Chapter Reports

17

College Awards Nominations

19

In Memoriam

23

Community Noticeboard

24

Key Dates

COLLEGE COUNCIL President Dr David Tabrett Chief Examiner A/Prof Jennifer Carter Honorary Secretary Dr Guy Wolfenden Honorary Treasurer Dr Carolyn Guy Councillors Dr Cathy Beck Dr Francette Geraghty-Dusan Dr Wendy Goodwin Dr Jennifer Sinclair Award Committee Convenor Dr Jennifer Sinclair New Zealand Contact Dr Carolyn Guy

BOARD OF EXAMINERS Chief Examiner A/Prof Jennifer Carter Assistant Chief Examiner (T&C) Dr Jana Leshinsky Assistant Chief Examiner (Exam) Dr Ruth Sutcliffe Board of Examiner Members Dr Nick Bamford Dr Susan Beths Dr Claire Cannon Dr Emma Hoolihan Dr Yenny Indrawirawan Dr Rachael-Kate Llewellyn Dr Jennifer Manyweathers Dr Rena MacFarlane Dr Elizabeth Tee Dr Albert Thomas

ANZCVS COLLEGE OFFICE STAFF Chief Executive Officer Mr Stephen Alderman Examinations Manager Dr Mary Anne Hiscutt Examinations Officer Mrs Jenny Burnett Assistant Examinations Officers Mrs Sharyn Logan Mrs Cassie Roqica

Project Officer Dr Rachel Tan Administration Manager Ms Maureen Thie Administration Officers Ms Cheyenne Tuari Mrs Yi Yang

COLLEGE MERCHANDISE Polo Shirts

$35.00

Vests

$66.00

Note: All prices are in AU$ and include GST. Postage fees apply, if applicable.

To place your order or for information on measurements, please contact the College Office. Phone: +61 (07) 3423 2016 Email: admin@anzcvs.org.au


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EDITOR’S NOTE In the blink of an eye, 2025 will soon be behind us. The applications for 2026 Membership Examinations have now closed, and 2026 is poised to see unprecedented numbers sitting examinations. It’s truly inspiring to witness the ongoing dedication of veterinarians eager to enhance their knowledge and credentials year after year, as well as the numerous volunteers who generously contribute to improving the veterinary community. No matter who you are or where you are, please take a moment to relax and show kindness to yourself. You deserve it.

CEO COLUMN As we reach the end of 2025, I want to sincerely acknowledge the ongoing efforts and dedication of our College community throughout the year. Thank you to everyone who has examined, studied, mentored, presented, volunteered, or supported a colleague. Your contributions are vital to the College's success and make a real difference. Our certification program is at the heart of the College. For the 2026 examinations, we've received an impressive 467 applications for Membership Exams across 22 subjects and 38 applications for Fellowship Exams across 12 subjects. These strong figures highlight the ongoing interest and confidence in our qualifications, underscoring their significance for professional development and recognition. This work relies on many people. Key are examiners, supervisors, and content experts who dedicate thousands of volunteer hours across both Membership and Fellowship examinations. Our Chapters are essential in supporting members, and the dedicated executive teams behind the scenes are vital to the College's smooth operation. Their ongoing commitment is truly appreciated. As we look ahead to early 2026, we are committed to enhancing examiner development and broadening support resources for the many roles that members

Reminder: Stay alert to scams and phishing attempts, as scammers are always devising clever tactics to deceive. They may even appear to come from a fellow College member or someone you know. A quick phone call can help verify the legitimacy of a request and protect your valuable finances or data from being compromised. If you find yourself a recipient of a scam email or phishing attempt, report the email by right-clicking on the email, hover the cursor over Report and click on Report Phishing.

CHECK | REJECT | PROTECT fulfil as volunteers. Remember, the College is always here to support you. Whether you want to provide feedback, seek collegial connection, or participate in upcoming activities and volunteer opportunities, please get in touch with the Office team or your Chapter Executive. I look forward to being part of our continued success together in the year ahead. Stephen Alderman


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PRESIDENT’S REPORT Dr David Tabrett

The year end offers a natural pause, and that rhythm shaped our Council Strategy Workshop in Brisbane last week. We examined the sustainability of the College’s processes and the load carried across committees. One theme resurfaced throughout the day: every activity of the College rests on volunteer effort. Your commitment forms the backbone of our examinations, governance work, credentialling, and the many quieter tasks that keep the organisation moving. Howard Zinn once wrote that “Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can transform the world.” ¹ It’s a sentiment that mirrors the way the College functions -incremental contributions, steadily offered, creating something far larger than any single role. I want to extend my thanks not only to our volunteers but to our College staff, whose calm coordination gives shape and continuity to that collective effort. We noted with encouragement the early enrolment figures for the 2026 examinations, which continue to affirm the standing and appeal of College accreditation. The other large activity for our community is our gathering for Vet Science Week. Planning for Vet Science Week 2026 is well underway, with the first Chapter convenors’ meeting now behind us and a sense of momentum building.

Photo: College Council and Office staff - Strategic Workshop

As the Christmas period approaches, I hope each of you finds space for rest—whether with family, friends, or small pockets of quiet. My thoughts are also with our emergency colleagues who will meet the Christmas–Boxing Day–New Year surge with their characteristic resolve. Thank you for your contribution throughout the year. May the weeks ahead bring renewal and a clear path into 2026. ¹ Howard Zinn, “The Optimism of Uncertainty,” The Nation, 20 September 2004.

David Tabrett


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CHIEF EXAMINER’S REPORT A/Prof Jennifer Carter As year-end draws near, I would like to take a few moments to thank our College office staff, Council members, Board of Examiners members, and examiners and observers for their incredible contributions to the College examinations process in 2025. It was an exciting year with 325 candidates across Memberships and Fellowships and we couldn’t have done it without the contributions of each and every one of you! This year the Board of Examiners saw a long-term goal come to fruition with the trial roll out of institutional accreditation applications. This initiative will provide efficiency improvement for some of our most active Fellowship training programs. The initiative is currently in the trial stages with a few institutions so “watch this space”! The BOE is also thrilled to welcome two new board members, Emma Hoolihan and Albert Thomas, to our team. And never one’s to rest on our laurels, Ruth Sutcliffe, Mary Anne Hiscutt and I kicked off examiner training with a well-attended open forum Q&A session on 25 November. We are anticipating a record number of candidates in 2026 and, therefore, a record number of volunteers contributing to the examinations processes. A few other BOE points to bring to the minds of the membership: We are proud to introduce a new volunteer role in the examinations process – the Candidate Advocate role. The candidate advocate is a member with extensive experience in the examinations processes but not currently involved in examinations and will...

...serve as an independent advisor for Fellowship training candidates. The candidate advocate can be contacted at: candidateadvocate@anzcvs.org.au and this information will also be provided directly to current and new candidates. A reminder to 2026 examiners, all examiners have been given access to the online repository of examiners resources on the College SharePoint. Please take some time to review these as soon as possible and any questions can be directed to the College office. We are still actively seeking interested members to submit multiple choice questions for potential use in future examinations. This can be done independently by any member but must be directly aligned with your subject guidelines. Please contact the College office if you would like access to the online MCQ resources for review.

While we all enjoy some well-earned rest over the holidays, we’ll be working in the background on planning for next year including our next major milestone, the Brisbane examiner’s workshop at the end of January. On behalf my BOE colleagues, I hope that everyone has a peaceful and joyous holiday period. Season’s Greetings to everyone – looking forward to seeing you in 2025! ~Jen


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Project Officer Report

Dr Rachel Tan

Preparation for VSW26 is well underway with abstract submission to open shortly for participating Chapters. Keep your eye out for information on our social media and please follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter or Instagram for the latest news. The College will be heavily utilising digital media and advertising moving forward to keep members up to date on all the latest VSW news.

The College is delighted to announce a special collaboration for VSW26. The Australian Society for Veterinary Pathology and Davis-Thompson Foundation Annual Scientific Conference will be held concurrent to Vet Science Week. This conference hosts around 100 local and international delegates annually. Tickets can be purchased for the ASVP conference only but all VSW26 delegates have the option of attending sessions within the ASVP conference as part of the standard ticket price!

Fellowship Review Project This project seeks to review all aspects of Fellowship training across the breadth of disciplines and settings, including entry and eligibility requirements, educational framework, learning environments, assessment approaches, feedback processes and supervisor training and support. The team from the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) having completed the draft report which will now undergo internal and external review. A summary with recommendations will be released to members early next year.

Any questions regarding the above or for more information, please contact Rachel at po@anzcvs.org.au


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CHAPTER REPORTS Animal Reproduction Dear Animal Reproduction Chapter members,

Avian Health And so ends another year, 2025 has been a great year with new Members and two new Fellows joining the Avian Chapter.

Another eventful year is drawing to a close. A heartfelt thank you goes out to everyone who contributes to the ongoing success of our Chapter and especially everybody who contributed to a successful showing at Science Week 2025 under Rory Nevard’s leadership. We're pleased to report on a successful small animal research workshop held recently in Melbourne that came about through discussions after our Chapter meeting. This event, generously sponsored by Virbac, brought together a group of Chapter members to discuss two planned studies: one on effects of long term Suprelorin implant exposure and another comparing transcervical insemination with surgical artificial insemination. We extend our gratitude to Virbac, particularly to Melissa Court and Michelle Murdoch, for making this event possible. Attendees included Jasmin Hyatt, Carolynne Joone, Deepti Ramachandra, Stuart Mason, Steve Metcalfe, Luke Smith, Mark Stevenson and Natali Krekeler . We were also fortunate to have Tammy Been, a skilled scientific writer, taking the minutes. We'd like to remind all our members to make use of our chapter listserv (anzcvs-repro@freelists.org) for any reproductionrelated queries, discussions, or announcements. Our thanks goes to Xavier Schneider for managing this valuable resource. If you're not yet subscribed, please reach out to Xavier at xavier.schneider@qvs.com.au to be added.

We finished the year with a successful AGM where the decision was made to move our AGM for next year to June / July to align with the College financial year and with Vet Science Week. In 2026, the Avian Chapter will be hosting a stream at Vet Science Week with the focus being on high level presentations to provide ongoing continuing education for experienced and emerging avian veterinarians. Dr. Melinda Cowan is heading the Vet Science Week conference proceedings and is interested in hearing from anyone who is keen to present. We need to finalise the lineup by early January, so don’t delay! We would love to make this a great success in 2026 as we return to Vet Science Week for the first time in a long time. Please mark the date in your calendars and attend if possible so we can get a great avian turn out. There will be multiple other streams running concurrently and so there will be a lot of interesting content for everyone. Wishing you all a safe and happy Christmas and I hope you enjoy some time off to decompress, unwind and refreshed for the year ahead. Thanks again for all of your support in 2025. We look forward to working with you more in 2026. Happy holidays,

As the year winds down and the equine breeding season begins to slow, we hope you all find time for a well-deserved break. Wishing you a wonderful Christmas season and a fertile New Year! Your Reproduction Chapter Committee

Have a brain tickling MCQ? Contribute it to the Question Bank and help the College’s Exam Sustainability goals.

Contact Rachel at po@anzcvs.org.au

Hamish


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CHAPTER REPORTS Animal Welfare The Animal Welfare Chapter is delighted to share some exciting developments with our members and the wider College community. Preparations are underway for our next round of examinations in 2026. We currently have 11 candidates. We look forward to supporting candidates through their animal welfare study journey! After carefully collating and incorporating high quality, constructive feedback from ANZCVS members, our Chapter is finalising our position statement on animal sentience. We look forward to sharing the finalised statement with you very soon. Paul McGreevy and Fiona Esam, together with our Animal Welfare Chapter executive, are shaping an engaging program for Science Week 2026. A special thank you to Maureen Thie, who administered a survey to chapter members to identify topics of greatest interest. We look forward to sharing the draft program with you in early 2026. Candidates sitting memberships in 2026 have been invited to attend over ten Zoom sessions, running from January to May, covering a wide range of animal welfare topics across the Animal Welfare, Ethics and Law curriculum. These sessions were offered to 2024 candidates and were very well received. We extend our gratitude to all those who have volunteered their time and expertise to present, and to Simone Maher for her organisation and facilitation of this valuable initiative.

Cattle continued...

We are pleased to announce the Executive Team: President: Joey Rheinberger Treasurer: Michael Dhar Secretary: Karley DeFrees Science Week Convener: Ashleigh Dobson Science Week This year’s Science Week theme is “Growing with Technology.” With the rapid adoption of new tech on farms, the role of vets and advisors is evolving quickly. We’re looking forward to discussing how these advancements are changing the landscape for all of us during the conference. If you have a topic of interest please send it through to presidentcattle@anzcvs.org.au. We will accept abstracts through to 15th January 2026. Wishing everyone a happy holiday season.

Dermatology The Dermatology Chapter had another great year and were excited to welcome Dr Koji Nishifuji from Japan and Dr Luca Guardabassi from Denmark for Vet Science Week. Their lectures were fascinating with fantastic engagement from the audience.

We are proud to acknowledge that a number of our Chapter members contribute their expertise to the NHMRC Animal Welfare Committee. Dr Shari Cohen, Dr Mandy Errington, Dr Suzie Fowler, Dr Malcolm France, and Associate Professor Alex Whittaker all serve on this committee, helping to shape national policy and practice in animal welfare.

For 2026 we look forward to strengthening ties with our regional dermatology community at the inaugural AiANZ Veterinary Dermatology Symposium, a joint initiative between the Dermatology Chapter, the Asian College of Veterinary Dermatology and the Japanese Society of Veterinary Dermatology. The Symposium will be held in Nara, Japan, between 9th to 11th October 2026 and will include a resident’s day, dry lab and advanced GP and specialist streams with world class speakers. It will be a wonderful opportunity to connect with our Asian colleagues and explore a beautiful country!

Cattle

The Dermatology Chapter will not be participating in Science Week 2026.

Hello to all of the members of the Cattle Chapter, I wanted to share a quick update on what the ANZCVS Cattle Chapter Executives have been up to recently. The committee has been hard at work preparing an exciting agenda for Science Week. Please be sure to mark your calendars for 24-26 July 2026 — we have some fantastic sessions in store, and we hope to see as many of you there as possible!


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CHAPTER REPORTS Emergency and Critical Care

Emergency and Critical Care continued...

Recruitment for VECC Chapter Website Administrator

Warm greetings to the VECC Chapter community! As we prepare for the busier months ahead, I wanted to reach out with an update on what our Chapter has been working on. New Addition to the Bites N Insights Webinar Series 2025

ANZCVS

Emergency and Critical Care Chapter

BIT S & INSIGHTS

We are seeking a VECC Chapter member who may like to volunteer and support the development of our VECC Chapter website and SharePoint spaces. If you are tech-savvy or simply enjoy website development, we’d love you to join our growing VECC community and help build a system that benefits all members by keeping us connected.

Emergency and Critical Care Chapter’s

Webinar Series We have kick-started our ECC Chapter Bites N Insights Webinar Series once again, following three successful sessions over the past 12 months. Emails to register will be sent to your nominated address via the College. Registration links will also be available through the Facebook group (Emergency and Critical Care Chapter ANZCVS). Topics have been carefully selected with our intended audience in mind (Membership candidates and Membership/Fellowship veterinarians). Click here to see past webinars! Recent webinars include Dr Katy Craig presenting on Preparing for ECC Memberships: A Realistic Roadmap to Exam Day (10 December 2025) Dr Katy Craig MANZCVS (ECC) shares a down-to-earth, experience-based approach to ECC Membership exam preparation. Learn how to build a sustainable study routine, understand the exam format, manage time effectively, and apply exam techniques that actually work. Expect practical advice, approachable guidance, and insights from someone who understands the process from both sides. Dr Ivan Moses presents on Acid Base: A Non-Traditional Approach Join Dr Ivan Moses as he presents a brief overview of both the Strong Ion Difference and Semiquantitative approach to acid base analysis. The presentation discusses clinical utility, challenges and shortcomings before going through some case examples.

Please enquire what the role involves: secretaryecc@anzcvs.org.au Planning for VSW26 VECC Convenors Drs James Cooper and Katy Craig are working alongside Workshop Convenors Drs Bek Donaldson and Sarah Purcell on the VSW 2026 programme. A Workshop Survey was sent out to VECC members on 4 December to gather interest in two proposed workshop ideas: Mechanical ventilation scenario simulation lab RECOVER BLS/ALS Certification workshop Please complete the survey to help us deliver a workshop you would like to see offered next year. As we move into the final weeks of the year, please take a moment for your own wellbeing wherever possible. Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a safe, peaceful start to the New Year. ~ The ECC Chapter Execs & Convenor Teams

Did you know that the college website features a Positions Vacant page, showcasing the latest job opportunities? Whether you’re in between jobs or just curious, click here to check it out!


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CHAPTER REPORTS Epidemiology

Feline

Epidemiology Chapter Launches Mentoring Pilot for Clinical Residents To strengthen collaboration across the College and enhance the research skills of emerging clinicians, the Epidemiology Chapter is excited to launch a new pilot program offering free epidemiological mentoring for residents in clinical chapters completing research projects for their credentialling.

Dear Feline Chapter members,

This initiative was developed in recognition of two key needs within our community: first, that many residents are eager to build stronger skills in study design, data interpretation, and statistical analysis; and second, that there is significant value in fostering greater collegiality and connection between chapters. By pairing residents with experienced epidemiologists, we aim to support high-quality research while promoting a culture of shared expertise and cross-disciplinary learning.

I would like to extend a very warm welcome to our new secretary, Cicilia Muller! Welcome, also, to our inaugural appointees for our newly-created roles: Natalia Mohr will be joining us as General Committee Member to provide support to the Chapter Executive, and Samantha Taylor is taking on the role of UK/Eu Liaison Officer to help foster closer connections between our Australian, NZ, and international cohorts.

Participating residents will be able to access tailored guidance on a range of methodological issues, from help refining research questions and selecting appropriate study designs to guidance on analytical approaches or interpreting results. Support can be provided as a single consultation or through ongoing engagement throughout the project. This initiative reflects the Epidemiology Chapter’s commitment to sharing expertise and strengthening capacity across the College. We believe that facilitating these collaborations will not only benefit individual research projects, but also enrich the broader community through increased communication and shared learning. For more information or to register your interest, please reach out directly to secretaryepi@anzcvs.org.au. We look forward to supporting your work and strengthening the connections that make our College a vibrant, collaborative professional community. Vet Science Week 2026 We are preparing an exciting two-day program with the Veterinary Public Health Chapter for Vet Science Week 2026. > Call of Abstract Open: Monday 15th December 2025 Please save the date for when the submission portal opens for abstracts. We are looking forward to presenting a pre-conference workshop followed by a two-day programme on Friday 24th and Saturday 25th. > Pre-Conference Workshop Date: Thursday 23rd July 2026 > Pre-Conference Workshop Location: TBA > Conference Dates: Friday 24th July – Sunday 26th July 2026 > Conference Location: Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre

It is hard to believe that we’re almost at the end of 2025 – where has the time gone?! This courier entry is going to be a bit more of a personal one, as since I am stepping down from my role as Feline Chapter secretary it will be the last College Courier entry I will write.

Andrea Harvey will continue on as president and Alison Jukes as treasurer. The Feline Chapter is hard at work making plans for 2026 including putting together the program for next year’s Vet Science Week! The incoming Chapter Executive team are also planning to run some surveys of our membership so that they know how best to serve our members going forward, so please keep an eye on your inboxes. As always, the Feline Chapter welcomes any and all contributions from our members. Whether you’d like to be involved in examining, be on a committee, or just lend your talents in any way, shape, or form, it’s a fantastic way to get involved in the Aussie cat community! For me, I wish to thank the Feline Chapter members for a wonderful seven years. I had a great time being involved in the chapter at all levels, and look forward to continuing my involvement into the future. Until next time, Dr Keshuan Chow Outgoing Feline Chapter Secretary

! e h s Ke


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CHAPTER REPORTS Medicine and Management of Laboratory Animals Hello All, Welcome to the festive, busy, silly time of the year! It has been a mad dash to the end, and I hope you all get a bit of a slow period over the holidays. I also hope that you all consider responding to Mitzi’s call for speakers for the 2026 Science Week MMLA program. We are, once again, attempting to put together an excellent lineup of speakers and we can’t do that without all of you. If you have any questions or reservations about doing a presentation, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We will guide you through the process and help you through all of it. In addition to Science Week in 2026, we are also holding membership exams. If you have signed up and are feeling anxious about the exam, we have some avenues that might help you prepare. Please consider: 1. Joining in on our Journal Club sessions that are held every second month. The next one will be held in January. 2. Seeking out a mentor. Please contact anyone on the Executive to find out who is mentoring this year. 3. Joining a study group. There are a few people that have started study groups. Please contact us so we can put you in contact with those groups. That’s it from MMLA. Enjoy this time of year and we will see you all in 2026! Cheers, Dr Emily Barrick Chapter President

Ophthalmology The Ophthalmology Chapter would like to congratulate 3 new registrars who have completed their residency training programmes and successfully fulfilled credentialing requirements in 2025. It is a huge achievement getting to this point, well done! The examination committee are in the process of gathering possible exam questions from our specialists to help with construction of the exam for next year. We continue to welcome residents and interns with an interest in pursuing research in ophthalmology to apply for our $4000 Ophthalmology Chapter Memorial Research Grant 2026.

Ophthalmology continued...

To help strengthen their research, all applicants are fortunate to receive feedback on their research proposals following review by the Grant Committee. More details can be found on our Chapter website. Closing date for submissions is 31 March 2026. The research review committee have been industriously refining the research project review questionnaire, reviewing Grant submissions and working to help secure epidemiology and statistics support for those engaged in intern and resident research projects. We are currently designing our Vet Science Week 2026 program. We plan to hold a stimulating 2-day programme delivered over Friday 24th and Saturday 25th July 2026. Further details to follow. Ngā mihi | Kind regards Dr Petra Price & Dr Helen Mather Ophthalmology Chapter Secretaries

Pig Health and Production This year we welcomed Dr Chrissie Kracht to the Pig Health and Production Chapter following 2025 Membership Examinations. Congratulations Chrissie! I would like to thank Dr Bernie Gleeson and Dr Ross Cutler as examiners for all their hard work preparing and setting exams, and their continual encouragement of new candidates to the Chapter. The Pig Health and Production Chapter is a biannual examination, so we encourage anyone considering studying the exams in 2027 to talk to myself (mollydunstan@gmail.com) or one of our existing members about the benefits membership has to offer. 2025 for the Australian pig industry has seen good improvements in biosecurity with many farms implementing Voluntary Enhanced Biosecurity Standards specifically for African Swine Fever preparedness, enhancements in antimicrobial resistance stewardship through the AMR Collective, and confinement free farrowing designs being commercialised with the Maternity Ring. A big thank you to all members in our Chapter, especially our president Dr Rowan Wilson for a great year, and we wish every a very Happy Christmas ! Molly Dunstan (Treasurer and Secretary)


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CHAPTER REPORTS Small Animal Medicine We’re excited to continue delivering CE opportunities in 2025 and into 2026. The SAM Medicine Masterclass will take place in Hobart on the 6–7th March 2026 and will focus on all things urinary. If you needed an excuse to brush up on urology while enjoying world-class food, crisp air and the chance to accidentally buy artisanal gin you don’t need (but absolutely do), this is it. Keep an eye on your emails for more information!

Small Animal Surgery Hello to all members, It's December, which means different things to everyone, from getting ready for the new year, celebrating holidays with family and friends, or non-stop rollercoaster of foreign bodies and GDVs. Whatever your holiday period entails, I hope you have some much-needed rest. Many people have continued to work diligently in the background on behalf of the Chapter, and it has made the role of the executive so much smoother that we can rely on the enthusiastic contributions of so many more competent individuals. So far this year, we've had our examination teams doing a fantastic job of coordinating subject matter experts and writing and collating questions, being ably led by their head subject examiners and subject chairs.

Dr Adrian Witham, the VSW26 SAM Convenor, is also working tirelessly to build an outstanding SAM stream for VSW26. You won’t want to miss it! Over the next 12 months, we’ll continue to monitor these new CE initiatives to ensure they remain valuable and relevant. For them to continue long-term, we need your participation. So please come along, engage, support, ask questions, give feedback and most importantly, enjoy being part of our community. Your involvement truly keeps these opportunities viable. We’re also working behind the scenes with the ANZCVS on policy development and long-term strategic initiatives to support the ongoing viability and growth of our Chapter. While much of this work isn’t immediately visible, please know that we are deeply committed to strengthening what we offer, both at an individual member level and across the broader veterinary community. As always, if you have ideas, feedback, or aspiration-fuelled wishlists, we would love to hear from you. As we near the end of another year, I’d like to wish each of you a restful, happy and rejuvenating holiday season. I hope you find time for family, sunshine, laughter and maybe even a nap. To those preparing for 2026 exams: you’ve got this!!!! Wishing you clarity, confidence and the momentum to finish strong. Finally, to every volunteer within our Chapter…... thank you. Your generosity, energy and contribution shape the experience of every member and we are deeply grateful for everything you do. Warmest regards, Dr Elizabeth Thrift BVSc (Hons) FANZCVS GAICD President, Small Animal Medicine Chapter

We've also seen a few new faces join our Science Week Convenors and burst off the mark to really kick off next year's Soft Tissue program. We have been working with some other chapters and sponsors to create a program and preliminary day that should get all but the most hardened orthopod interested in being involved (and if the hardened orthopods feel like coming along just to hang out and scoff about how boring nonlocomotive organs are, that's an option too). For all of the members out there, I hope that you are saving the date for the 24-26 of July and we'll all see you there. We will also be holding our AGM during Science Week this year, so if you are thinking about taking part in any of the chapter/examination committees, please reach out to me in the meantime. For all the membership and fellowship candidates, I hope you find some time to decompress over the holidays before gearing up for your final push to the exams next year. Best wishes for the new year from all of us here in the Chapter, and we'll see all our members and fellows again next year! Dr Blaine McCracken Surgery Chapter President


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CHAPTER REPORTS Small Ruminant Many of our Small Ruminant Chapter members attended the International Sheep Vet Conference in Wollongong, NSW in October 2025. Some Chapter members from Australia and New Zealand gave talks or had posters. There were over 350 attendees from all over the world. Chapter President, Sandra Baxendell, gave a long session on Goats 101 to try and encourage small animal vets to treat goats and her trial runs and PowerPoints for her lectures can be found on www.goatvetoz.com.au/conference.

Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia The Veterinary Anaesthesia & Analgesia Chapter has maintained a strong ‘green’ focus throughout 2025, recognising that the veterinary profession contributes meaningfully to healthcare-related emissions – an area estimated to account for 4% of global emissions. Anaesthesia is a key area for emissions reduction, not only because volatile anaesthetic agents are potent greenhouse gases, but also due to the high use of pharmaceuticals and consumable items associated with anaesthetic and surgical practice. We are proud to have endorsed the newly published Veterinary Green Theatres Checklist (VGTC), a cross-specialty collaboration that offers practical, evidence-based recommendations to reduce the environmental impact of veterinary operating theatres. The VGTC covers sustainable approaches when preparing for surgery, using pharmaceuticals, conducting procedures, and managing postoperative processes. You can download the Checklist from the Vet Sustain website; we strongly encourage all readers to access and implement this valuable tool in their clinics. In addition, the VAA Chapter is excited to be collaborating with an industry partner to deliver free, high-quality education on sustainability in veterinary anaesthesia, launching in 2026— stay tuned for more details!

The sales of FAMACHA(c) cards have kept our financial position very comfortable. Chapter member, Kylie Greentree, continues to run these courses in NSW and is training other Local Land Services veterinarians to run them as well. Training is also available by recorded Zoom as well. The Small Ruminant Chapter will have a presence at Vet Science Week 2026 and the Chapter’s Convenor is Vicki McLean (SWConvenorSmallRuminant@anzcvs.org.au). Contact Vicki if you are interested in talking during our session or if a Chapter is looking to collaborate.

Our successful, Chapter-led Anaesthesia Monitoring Course has now wrapped up for its third year. This six-module online program has grown steadily since its inception in 2023 and consistently receives excellent participant feedback. The course provides an in-depth exploration of physiology, monitoring technology, and troubleshooting strategies— empowering participants with confidence and competence in small animal anaesthesia monitoring. It is suitable for experienced veterinary nurses and veterinarians, with discounted registration available for ANZCVS Members. 2026 course dates will be announced soon.

Jump to it! Get involved in your Chapter! Have a knack to making numbers float? A Quiz-master connoisseur? A social media savant? Wherever your strengths lie, your Chapter needs your help. Reach out to your Chapter Executives, or the College Office, to see how you can get involved.

continued...


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CHAPTER REPORTS Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia continued...

Looking ahead to 2026, we are delighted to announce that Memberships in Veterinary Anaesthesia & Analgesia will now be offered annually. After a brief pause, we are also resuming our regular Chapter webinars. Our most recent session, “Monoclonal Antibody – Bedinvetmab: Where have we come from and where are we now?”, was held on Wednesday 26 November at 7pm AEDT. All Chapter Members are sent invitations to our webinars via email, be sure to keep an eye out for the next offering. Finally, we recently distributed a survey to our Chapter membership to help us better understand how we can support our Fellows and Members. Thank you to everyone who has responded so far. If you missed the survey but would like to share feedback, please contact secretaryvaa@anzcvs.org.au— we would love to hear from you. Dr Jen Davis Chapter President

Veterinary Practice Small Animal As 2025 draws to a close, the Veterinary Practice Small Animal Chapter reflects on another big year. Our Science Week 2026 team is busy securing sponsorship and speakers. To that effect, if presenting the Phil Moses Memorial Lecture tickles your fancy, keep an eye out for the next edition of the College Courier. We are excited to again offer this opportunity for someone excited about brachycephalics and or animal welfare to present. At Science Week 2025, our wonderful Marilyn Moss shared some of her learnings from the College Travel Grant, which gave her the opportunity to attend the World Feline Congress. We were fortunate that Marilyn was generous to again share some of her learnings online with our members. Matters of desexing age and axillary temperatures were of particular interest for our General Practitioners.

Veterinary Behaviour Dearest colleagues, As we come to the end of the year, the Behaviour Chapter is pleased to share a brief update on our ongoing work and upcoming collaborations. We are progressing well in our planning for Vet Science Week 2026, where the Behaviour Chapter will be collaborating with the Animal Welfare and Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Chapters. This joint approach reflects the naturally interconnected nature of our disciplines, and we look forward to contributing to a cohesive and engaging program. The Education Hub on our website remains the central place to access behaviour-focused learning materials, and we will continue to expand and update this resource over time: Vet Behaviour Chapter - Events My sincere thanks to our committee for their steady work throughout the year and to our members for their ongoing support of behavioural medicine within the College. Wishing you all a wonderful holiday season, and a fulfilling year ahead. Warmest regards, Dr Lucy Scott Veterinary Behaviour Chapter President

Pictured: Angela Hodgson and Marilyn Moss at Science Week 2025

Regarding exams, our examining team is busy at work, and our mentors are working with their mentees. Regardless of which subject, if you are in contact with exam candidates, encourage using a mentor for the most robust results. Wishing you a very merry Christmas with few cases of pancreatitis, and gifts that pets leave unopened under the tree! Georgia


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CHAPTER REPORTS Veterinary Public Health VPH Membership Exams 2026 Since re-establishment of the Chapter in 2018, Membership exams have been run annually. However now, in accordance with College policy the VPH Chapter will run biennial Membership exams, offered on even years, with the next VPH exams occurring in 2026. From late 2024 and early 2025, Drs Alissa Hampton, Nicolas Rush, Sang-Min (Jake) Kim working with Dr Leo Foyle, Chair of the Subject Standards Committee, successfully reviewed the VPH Subject Guidelines in preparation for 2026 exams. The new VPH Subject Guidelines are available here.

Veterinary Public Health continued...

Vet Science Week 2026 Preliminary planning for VSW has commenced. Once again, VPH looks forward to collaborating with sister Chapters on areas of mutual interest Twenty-minute abstracts will be sought, with the theme Enhancing VPH - Strategies, Challenges and Future Directions encouraged. Kevin Crews Veterinary Public Health Chapter President

Pleasingly, applications have been received for next year’s VPH exams.

Zoo and Wildlife

VPH Fellowship Subject Guidelines approved The College has approved VPH’s Fellowship Subject Guidelines, which are posted on the ANZCVS website here.

Members remember Dr Ted (Edward) Finnie After his passing, 2025 marked the first year that the Zoo and Wildlife Chapter was without Dr Ted Finnie. I recently asked a few current Chapter members if they would like to share their reflections on Ted’s contribution to our field and here is a little of what they had to say….

Fellowship Fellowship is associated with scholarly and technical excellence in a particular subject. Standards required for training and examination in Fellowship subjects meet or exceed the prerequisites for registration as a Veterinary Specialist in Australia and/or New Zealand. The Board of Examiners (BOE) has agreed to VPH using the fasttracked mechanism as permitted in the College Constitution which inter alia reads: “Fast- tracked or fast-tracking” means dispensing with the requirement to complete a Membership examination or any College approved training program before advancing to Fellowship. Two groups of candidates [are] considered eligible for fasttracking:

Those who have successfully completed a Diplomate examination in one of the American Colleges, European Colleges or the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons; Those who are eminent veterinarians with extensive depth and breadth of training, scholarship and experience and a record of academic and practical excellence as otherwise defined by the Council. The Chapter Secretary, Dr Allen Petrey, will be pleased to further discuss VPH fellowship with those interested. He may be contacted at secretaryvph@anzcvs.org.au.

After being appointed Taronga Zoo’s first full-time veterinarian in 1969, Ted became a Member of the College by examination in wildlife diseases in 1974. Dr Pam Whiteley recalls her student placement with Ted in the 1970s as “a highlight of my veterinary education,” including the unforgettable experience of injecting an elephant under his guidance. “Ted had a keen interest in diagnosis and preventative medicine,” she says, noting his commitment to building laboratory capacity at Taronga. Dr Graham Wilson, who trained under Ted in 1981, remembers him as “a great mentor with lots of practical know-how and common sense.” Similarly, Dr Larry Vogelnest describes Ted as “a gentle, kind and inspiring man… one of the pioneers of zoo and wildlife medicine in Australia.” He credits Ted with shaping his own approach to challenging situations: “Ted was very calm, carefully considered the risks and options, and worked collaboratively to resolve issues.” Dr David Blyde first met Ted as an intern in 1988: “Although [then as a life sciences director] he was not directly involved in day-to-day veterinary work, he would always pop into the veterinary centre as that was where his passion lay. I would often ask Ted his advice on cases or how to immobilise a certain species and he always had great advice.” David recalls Ted’s resourcefulness in an era of “questionably reliable immobilisation drugs and poorly manufactured dart guns,” and how “he always remained calm and in control in precarious situations.”


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CHAPTER REPORTS Zoo and Wildlife continued...

Zoo and Wildlife continued...

Dr Derek Spielman sums up what many felt: “He always seemed quietly confident and purposeful in his dedication to conservation, animal health and welfare, and went out of his way to help younger staff.”

Wanted: 2026 Science Week Chapter Co-convenor Vet Science Week 2026 (24th-26th July) promises to be a fabulous must-do event on next year’s calendar with multiple streams showcasing innovative excellence and the opportunity for connection and professional growth. The Zoo and Wildlife Chapter is seeking one or more Members to nominate for our Science Week Co-convenor role. No experience is necessary and support will be provided by the College, Chapter Executive and a previous co-convenor.

Ted’s influence extended beyond Taronga, where he mentored countless veterinarians and later continued his work as a rural practitioner and conservationist. His foresight and generosity have clearly left an enduring legacy that we still benefit from today. Dr Ted Finnie will be remembered not only for his professional brilliance but for his kindness and humility, a reminder that greatness lies in both skill and character.

Chapter-led position statement project in print – new open access publication Several years of dedicated work by the Chapter’s Wildlife in Emergencies Working Group has culminated in an open access publication in the New Zealand Veterinary Journal entitled Integration of wildlife veterinarians into emergency management: developing an Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists chapter-led position statement In the paper, 5 key themes relevant to the importance of integrating wildlife veterinarians into emergency management are explored: 1. Scope, drivers of emergencies and time scales 2. Wildlife welfare 3. Expertise required for decision-making 4. Legal considerations 5. Mental health Although focused on the Australasian region, these insights have global relevance for wildlife impacted by emergencies. Thank you to all Members who supported this project and provided valuable input. You can read the publication here. Guidelines for Antimicrobial Prescribing in Australian Wildlife published The AMR Vet Collective, in collaboration with Wildlife Health Australia, has launched the first national, evidence-based guidelines supporting responsible antimicrobial use in wildlife with contributions from several College Members. Given how vital wildlife health is in the One Health landscape, this initiative has produced a welcome resource for practitioners. The document can be accessed and downloaded from the 'Guidelines' tab at www.amrvetcollective.com.

Please reach out to presidentzooandwildlife@anzcvs.org.au and secretaryzooandwildlife@anzcvs.org.au if you are interested or would like to know more. Michelle Campbell-Ward President, Zoo and Wildlife Chapter

Are you a Science Week Convenor or Chapter Executive? There is a Sharepoint for Vet Science Week preparations! Designed to be used by Chapter Executives and Convenors to help plan their Vet Science Week program each year. The aim of this site is to have a central resource portal where teams can reference guidelines and handbooks, as well as housing an up-to-date record of the program and speaker details. In addition, meeting recordings, documents and media resources will also be stored here. Please use your Chapter Executive or SW Convenor email address to access the site!


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2026 COLLEGE AWARDS The College Prize will be awarded to a veterinarian who has made an outstanding practical contribution to veterinary science or practice in Australia or New Zealand without the support of an academic environment. The Awards Committee will consider the applicability of the contribution in the broad field of veterinary science. The Ian Clunies Ross Memorial Award recognises high academic and/or research accomplishment. It will be awarded to an Australian or New Zealand veterinarian making an outstanding contribution to veterinary science in the preceding five years. The Fellowship Training Scholarship (valued at AU$11,250 in 2026) will be awarded to a Member of the College who is enrolled in an approved Australian and New Zealand College residency training program and seeks financial assistance to complete any aspect of the training program. The Fellowship Research Grant (valued at AU$3,000) will be awarded to a Member of the College who is enrolled in an approved Australian and New Zealand College Fellowship training program and performing research as part of this training program.

Fellowship Research Grant continued...

The aim of the grant is to support either the research itself or analysis of results (e.g., statistical consultation). The Meritorious Service Award will be presented to reward a Member or Fellow of the College, who has consistently and tirelessly contributed to the College through voluntary service at Chapter or higher level. The Most Commendable Paper in an International Journal will be awarded to highlight the international scientific contribution that members of the College make to the veterinary community. This award will be specifically aimed at journal articles that provide insight into the pathogenesis of a disease condition, or substantially alter the treatment or prevention of disease. The Membership Travel Grant is to reward a newly active member of the College who is not enrolled in a formal residency training program to attend an international veterinary conference or event that will be of benefit to both the individual, as well as the Chapter to which they belong.

Nominations close The closing date for all Awards is end of February 2026. Nominations must comply with the relevant criteria (available on the website here), and be forwarded to the College Office at Admin@anzcvs.org.au. For assistance, please contact Dr Jennifer Sinclair, Chair of the College Awards Committee, through the College Office.


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Your Chapter Resource Portal Did you know that every chapter can utilise their Chapter Resource Portal to encourage, engage, and enhance member participation? Whether you’re looking to create a mentorship program for group membership candidates; improve member benefits with storage facilities for CE webinars, journal clubs, and articles; an area where members can chat and engage with each other; or streamline the onboarding and offboarding processes for various committees, this portal can be immensely helpful. If you have the valuable content, the Chapter Resource Portal is an ideal place to store and present it to your Membership. Interested? Reach out to the College Office to explore how it can be customised to fit your Chapter’s goals.


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In Memoriam Trevor James Heath OAM, Emeritus Professor. BVSc (Syd), MA (Ed) (Mich State), MHPEd (NSW), PhD (ANU), DVSc (QLD) DVSc honoris causa (Syd), FACVS “That time spent in helping a young person can reap a reward far greater than the time and effort involved.” Heath, TJ It is with profound sadness that we acknowledge the passing of Emeritus Professor Trevor Heath, OAM, a distinguished leader in the field of veterinary science and an inspiring mentor to countless students. His legacy will forever resonate within the walls of the Queensland University and the broader veterinary community. A Fellow of the College, and the recipient of the College Oration in 1999, Prof Ivan Caple, in his delivery, concluded: “Few academic veterinarians in Australia have won the respect, admiration and acclaim that has been bestowed on Trevor Heath by his former students who are now following careers in veterinary science, medicine, and science throughout the world. Trevor Heath has made a very significant contribution to the human and social capital of the discipline of veterinary science.” Professor Heath served as the Dean of Veterinary Science at Queensland University (1973-1980), where he shaped the curriculum and fostered an environment of academic excellence. At 36 years of age, on his appointment, he was the youngest head of a veterinary school in Australasia. His tenure was marked by significant contributions to veterinary anatomy, through both teaching and research. He authored numerous academic publications that advanced the understanding of veterinary sciences, establishing himself as a respected authority in his field. His innovative approaches to veterinary education and research not only enhanced the university's reputation but also laid the groundwork for future advancements in veterinary medicine. A prolific thinker, speaker, and writer, he was the author or co-author of over 100 peer-reviewed papers on veterinary anatomy alone, let alone the scores of publications on university education. He lectured in Anatomy and Communication, he even gave a lecture on ‘Latin roots of words’ in an attempt to help vet students tread through the vade mecums of veterinary science. Professor Heath gave his last veterinary presentation in 2016, to this College at Science Week, titled “Evolution of Veterinary Education – How we got to where we are”. This paper was published in the AVJ in 2018. However, perhaps his greatest legacy lies in his unwavering commitment to mentoring students. Professor Heath believed deeply in the potential of every student and dedicated himself to guiding them through their academic journeys. He provided invaluable support, helping them navigate the challenges of their studies and preparing them for successful careers in veterinary medicine and beyond. His insightful book, Letters from a Former Dean: Advice for Students on Navigating Their Studies to a Successful Career, has served as a guiding resource for students embarking on their veterinary journeys. ...continued


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...continued

Among his notable contributions – his words - were two of his papers in prestigious veterinary journals: "Ten Tips to Ease the Transition from Student to Veterinarian" published in the Canadian Veterinary Journal in 2000, which offered practical advice for new graduates entering the profession. "Twenty Changes in the Population and Experience of Recent Veterinary Graduates Since 1950" published in the Australian Veterinary Journal in 2008, highlighting the evolving landscape of veterinary practice and its implications for education and training. The recipient of numerous teaching awards, for example the ‘AVA Excellence in Teaching 1998’, he was most proud of his Life Membership of the veterinary students association, the UQVSA. His influence extended far beyond the classroom; many of his former students have gone on to become leaders in their fields, crediting Professor Heath’s mentorship as a pivotal factor in their success. Noted for his humility and kindheartedness, he was less considerate to his squash opponents, usually woefully unprepared veterinary and college students. In recognition of his dedication to supporting future veterinarians, the Trevor Heath OAM Rural Scholarship has been established at the University of Queensland. This scholarship aims to assist aspiring veterinary students from rural and regional Queensland backgrounds, helping them realise their dreams of becoming veterinarians. Professor Heath's multifaceted contributions to veterinary education not only elevated the standards of teaching and learning at Queensland University but also left a lasting legacy that continues to benefit future generations of veterinary students. His commitment to academic excellence, mentorship, and community engagement has had a profound and enduring impact on the field of veterinary science. As we remember Emeritus Professor Trevor Heath, OAM, we celebrate not only his remarkable academic achievements but also the profound impact he had on the lives of his students. His enthusiasm in education and mentorship will be cherished by all who had the privilege to know him. Rest in peace, ‘Prof’. Your legacy will continue to inspire future generations of veterinary professionals.


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In Memoriam Dr Phillipa Rich BVSc MANZCVS (Emergency and Critical Care) It is with great sadness that we acknowledge the passing of Dr Phillipa Rich, an extraordinarily talented Emergency and Critical Care veterinarian, who tragically lost her battle with breast cancer in July this year. Pip was an exceptional clinician, deeply dedicated to her patients and their families, and driven by a genuine love for the science and problem-solving that underpin emergency medicine. She approached even the most complex cases with clarity, curiosity, and compassion, always striving for the best possible outcomes for those in her care. Her colleagues remember her as a brilliant scientific mind, a generous mentor, and a steadfast friend. Her passion for learning, her calm under pressure, and her unwavering empathy made her a role model to so many within the ECC community. Pip leaves behind her loving husband Andrew, and their beautiful children Emily, Claudia, and Jacob. Her legacy lives on through them, through the countless animals she helped, the students and peers she inspired, and the warmth and intelligence she brought to every part of her work. She will be deeply missed but never forgotten. Our heartfelt condolences go out to her family, friends, and all those who had the privilege of knowing and working alongside her.


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In Memoriam Dr Jim Rodger BVMS, MACVS (Equine Medicine) FANZCVS (Equine Reproduction) MRCVS Jim Rodger was the epitome of the definition of indefatigable; and then he was gone - on 8th September 2025 at the age of 81. Jim was one of life’s characters who certainly induced one to form an opinion of him, which was frequently changeable. All those who knew of Jim would be aware of his small but busy stature, smiley face (and red nose), characteristic chuckle, and clearly mumbled English accent. Most importantly, Jim was a kind man. Jim had many passions, and life appeared to be the top one. He seemed to be invincible, surviving family and business, and a few health-related challenges for many of us to believe that Jim would be here forever. Hence the news that Jim passed away relatively quickly as a result of cancer treatment complications was a surprise to many. Jim came from England, having trained as a veterinarian in Glasgow, to work in the horse breeding industry in the Scone area of the Upper Hunter of NSW. He joined the Scone practice of Howey, Morgan and Fraser, and worked in the Hunter for the rest of his life. And Jim did work for the rest of his life. His resilience was remarkable. Jim was capable of eliciting a number of emotions, thoughts and feelings; to say he was a conundrum wrapped in enigma, is an understatement. And those feelings could alter and waver frequently in a short period of time, but he would steadfastly continue on the route he believed to be correct. Not that he wouldn’t change his mind, he was open to debate, despite his references not always being those most recently published. He was an ardent horse protagonist, community driver and participant, and life-long learner. Jim was always keen to participate in continuing professional development including a presentation to the ANZCVS VSW23 on his favourite topic of Pseudomonas phages. He was never afraid of a pivotal thought, but was astute enough to continue with his strengths, thankfully. He had an idea once, to undertake an MANZCVS in radiology so that he could exploit the yearling radiograph bandwagon. There is a lot that could be said about so many things in Jim’s long and reproductive life. It is important that he is remembered for being one of the earliest (1987) Fellows of the College, his community spirit of which there are countless examples, an ardent horse sport lover, his resilience, and his sense of humour. Jim was an AVA, NSW VPB board, and Muswellbrook race club board member amongst many other community committees. He once mentioned at a regional AVA regional branch meeting that he was aiming to recrudesce, that the area needed a committee but that it did not require a treasurer as there was no treasure to manage. Jim, regardless of peoples’ thoughts, you were a treasure. You have left a legacy, mainly of kindness and resilience. Rest In Peace.


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COURIER COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD

College Subscription A reminder that Members’ College Subscriptions will renew on 1st March 2026. Take some time to check/update your contact details and review your Chapter subscriptions now!


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ANZCVS 2025/26 KEY DATES 20 December - 5 January 2026 College Office Christmas closure

31 January - 1 February 28 February

College Financial Year 2025/26 ends College Awards nominations close

1 June

Nominations close for College Council Nominations close for Board of Examiners

In-person Examiners Workshop 2026 ~Brisbane, QLD

1 March

College Financial Year 2026/27 commences Nominations open for College Council Nominations open for Board of Examiners

2 June

Membership Written Examinations

2 - 3 June

Fellowship Written Examinations

4 June

Membership Practical Examinations

20 - 21 June

(if applicable)

Fellowship Practical and Oral Examinations

27 - 29 June

Membership Oral Examinations

4 - 5 July

Membership Oral Examinations (Medicine of Cats UK only)

23 July

2026 Pre-Conference Workshops

24 - 26 July

Vet Science Week 2026

25 July

College Awards Dinner

26 July College Annual General Meeting

1 August

2027 Membership Examination applications open

If you would like to contribute or request an article to be included in future College Couriers, please reach out to the College Office team!


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Phone: +61 7 3423 2016 Email: admin@anzcvs.org.au Web: www.anzcvs.org.au

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