Aust Vet J Vol 75, No 12, December 1997914

NNEEWSWS SSUPPLEMENTUPPLEMENT

EDITOR

STEVEN ANDREW

CONTRIBUTORS

BARBARA HORSFIELD, HENRY COLLINS

JANE BINDLOSS, MICHAEL SCASNY,

IAN NIELSEN, GRAHAM MIDDLETON,

GARDNER MURRAY, JUDITH MORRISON

CONTRIBUTIONSNews and general correspondenceNews items and general correspondenceshould be submitted to the Managing Editor,AVA House, 134-136 Hampden Rd,Artarmon NSW 2064, Australia or PO Box371 Artarmon NSW 2064 Australia.Telephone (02) 9411 2733, fax (02) 94115089, email sandrew@ava.com.au.

N E W S S U P P L E M E N T

Australian

VETERINARYJOURNAL

Setting New Year resolutions

There is something aboutDecember that encourages usto finish all our projects, tidy

up outstanding tasks and prepare fora time of fellowship and relaxationwith our colleagues, families andfriends. We also plan for the NewYear, setting new goals and resolu-tions.

The participants in the Workshopfor the 1998 Presidents of AVADivisions and Special Interest GroupsWorkshop went through a similarprocess last month as they preparedthemselves for their new roles andresponsibilities. New ways of organis-ing meetings were discussed, newskills to build achieving teams werepracticed and new knowledge wasacquired in the 2-day workshop.

Planning also commenced for theAVA in 1998 by setting new strategiesfor each of the AVA’s objectives.Those objectives are:• To monitor the profession’s needs

and represent and promote thoseinterests

• To monitor the individual needs ofmembers and provide high qualityresources to meet them withinavailable resources

• To provide expert resources toadvise, influence and promote theprofession to governments

• To act as an advocate for the wel-fare of animals and promote theirvalue in society

• To educate, inform and promotethe profession to the public andmediate on behalf of the profession

• To develop long term partnershipswith industry based on mutualbenefits and objectivesPromoting the veterinary profes-

sion to the community is the empha-sis for 1998, using our existing pro-grams such as Pet PEP, Urban AnimalManagement Program and the AVAAnimal Welfare Trust. Issues identi-fied by Helen Jones Fairnie that willaffect the profession over the next 10years will also be discussed at special-ly convened Division focus groups.Please contact your Division Officefor more information.

The Urban Animal ManagementAdvisory Group also reviewed its

plans for 1998 and beyond, at astrategic planing workshop before itsConference in Adelaide in November.Led by AVA Past President MichaelBanyard, the Group developed newprojects, plans and strategic alliancesto encourage responsible pet owner-ship in urban areas. Veterinariansattending the Conference made acommitment to promote UAM con-cepts to their colleagues during thecoming year.

The meeting of the Australian andNew Zealand Veterinary Council alsomade plans for 1998 at its Novembermeeting. These include the identifica-tion of core competencies of universi-ty graduates and the expansion of theCouncil to include the VeterinaryNurses Council of Australia.

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The new Award for veterinary sur-geons in private practice will comeinto force in 1998. It will encourageveterinary practices to look at newways and relationships. The good willwhich exists in the profession willassist in facilitating the meeting of theneeds of both our employed andemployee members.

May I wish you all a happyChristmas and a relaxing holiday timeand thank all members for their sup-port and commitment to your AVA.

Comment

AVA CEO Barbara Horsfield