LHPA vet appointed to AVA committee

A district veterinarian from the North West Livestock Health and Pest Authority has recently been appointed to the committee for the Australian Veterinary Association’s NSW division.

North West LHPA district vet Ted Irwin, based in Warialda, was honoured to be selected for appointment to AVA’s NSW committee – the veterinary professional body which addresses issues of state interest.

Dr Irwin, who has been working with the LHPA and the former Rural Lands Protection Board since 2007, says he is looking forward to many aspects of the new position.

"Communication with members is a key part of the role on this committee, as we liaise with the national AVA committee on important issues and represent the interests and concerns of members to the Policy Advisory Council," Dr Irwin said.

"This includes listening to members’ feedback to ensure they have a voice when we discuss state policy and legislation, as well as providing our members with advice on issues and keeping them informed of any policy or legislative changes."

Dr Irwin says another important part of his new role is providing education opportunities to members to ensure they keep their training up to date.

"Veterinarians are required to continue educating themselves in order to remain registered, and this is audited each year. The NSW AVA committee works to ensure our members have access to broad-based continuing education courses," Dr Irwin said.

Other duties of the AVA’s NSW division include providing ethics and complaints advice to members, having input in the NSW Veterinary Surgeons Board and representing the AVA on various government committees.

Since graduating from the University of Sydney in 2001, Ted Irwin has worked in private practice in Wingham, a small animal and equine practice in Newcastle, as well as spending three years working as a locum vet in the UK.

Media contact: Suzie Robinson 6391 3720 / 0428 465 378