AHA Update January 2010
2010 Welcome
On behalf of the Board and staff of AHA, our belated wishes for a happy 2010.
I would like to again thank you for your continued support throughout 2009 – that was both busy and productive.
As we look to the year ahead, we anticipate a continued focus on disease surveillance and strengthened biosecurity in 2010.
AHA has a responsibility to its members to stay at the forefront in the understanding of critical livestock diseases. FMD remains the most important animal disease threat, and planning for an incursion is a critical aspect of the company’s programs. AHA has been closely involved in planning for the international FMD Symposium and Workshop in April. Many of our members and stakeholders will no doubt attend, and we look forward to improving our preparedness planning as a result. There will be opportunity to apply much of the information to other preparedness planning as well.
There is little doubt that for the agriculture sector, 2010 will continue to be tough economically, so agreeing and implementing our collective priorities in this economic climate will continue to be important. AHA will be working towards even greater collaboration and government/industry cooperation. A key priority for AHA this year will be to facilitate further cooperation and sharing of information amongst all our stakeholders.
We are looking forward to working with all our members to further enhance the national animal health system in 2010.
Mike Bond
CEO
ILO Training for Harness Racing Industry
Early this year, members of the Australian Harness Racing Industry, including key representatives from each state, met in Canberra to complete the final stage of their Industry Liaison Officer training program.
The program was designed to prepare industry representatives for their role in an emergency animal disease response. The importance of Industry Liaison Officers is embedded within the training. It also emphasises a critical function of the Industry Liaison Officers is to secure the industry’s cooperation; an example set by the Harness Racing Industry.
Andrew Kelly, Chief Executive of Harness Racing Australia, felt the ILO training showed great commitment and unanimous support within the industry. He believed it demonstrated how the Harness Racing Industry is continually looking to improve their training and preparedness; they do not want to be complacent.
Before coming to the workshop, participants had completed the online learning component of the course, which together with the workshop, built on their hard-won experience from the 2008 equine influenza outbreak. This enabled a hands-on training approach filled with case study examples, which the participants felt was practical and rewarding.
The Harness Racing Industry thoroughly recommends the ILO training to all industries.
The members of the Australian Harness Racing Industry who attended the ILO Training
Australia Day Honours
Congratulations to our esteemed national animal health system colleagues who have been recognised in the Australia Day honours list:
Dr Helen Scott-Orr received a Public Service Medal for outstanding public service to agricultural and veterinary science, particularly in the area of animal disease control.
Dr Scott-Orr has made a significant contribution to agricultural and veterinary science and management over a career spanning 40 years. As a Director working in animal health and research, Dr Scott-Orr has delivered a number of major outcomes for the benefit of the New South Wales and Australian livestock industries.
Dr Hugh Warwick Millar received a Public Service Medal for outstanding public service to the general public and livestock industries as Chief Veterinary Officer, Victoria.
As Executive Director, Biosecurity Victoria and Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr Millar assisted the livestock industries to improve their biosecurity preparedness and displayed exceptional leadership of the highly successful Equine Influenza Emergency Response in Victoria between August 2007 and March 2008. In addition, Dr Millar's experience contributed significantly to Australia regaining its status of ‘El free’ in December 2008.
Dr Donald James Plowman received a Public Service Medal for outstanding public service in the area of sustainable agricultural development.
In his role as Executive Director of Agriculture, Food and Wine, and now as Deputy Chief Executive, Primary Industries and Resources SA, Dr Plowman’s vision for the development of world-class agricultural Research and Development capability in South Australia and his commitment to developing programs focused on sustainable agricultural development have been critical successes.
Dr. Glen Saunders of the New South Wales Department of Industry and Investment and head of the Vertebrate Pest Unit based at Orange was made a Member of the Order of Australia ("AM"). Glen is well known in the agricultural community for his three decades of work on pest animals and biodiversity. He has worked on a wide range of species, but mainly on mouse plagues, feral pigs and foxes. He is the program leader for the Invasive Animals CRC's Terrestrial Program.
The team at Animal Health Australia would like to congratulate everyone who received Australia Day honours this year.
AUSVETPLAN Useability Survey – help us improve
With a project currently underway to assess the accessibility and useability of the AUSVETPLAN, a series of interviews has been conducted with various users of the manuals. To gain a broader understanding of user needs we have adapted the questions into an online survey and ask anyone who deals with AUSVETPLAN in any capacity to follow the link and fill out the survey. Your input will help us ensure that AUSVETPLAN is as useable and accessible as possible for all stakeholders and in all situations. The survey will not take long so please take a few minutes to help us improve.
AUSVETPLAN Useability Survey
We appreciate your input.
Livestock Welfare reference group meeting
A quick reminder that the first cattle reference group is scheduled to meet on Tuesday 30 & Wednesday 31 March 2010.
Please note these dates in your diary if it is of interest.
FMD Symposium
Previous editions of AHA update have mentioned the forthcoming FMD2010 Symposium which AHA is helping to organise in Melbourne from 12 – 14 April 2010.
The event is fast approaching and the line up of speakers is very impressive, promising an excellent opportunity for all of us concerned about FMD preparedness to have access to the very best information and advice available.
The deadline for ‘Earlybird’ registrations is 12 February. Your attendance at the Symposium including the unique opportunity to participate in an interactive workshop on the third day, which will explore a number of very practical issues in an FMD response, is strongly recommended.
As well as a line-up of international and national experts, there will be presentations from a number of Australian livestock industry representatives providing an industry perspective on FMD and EAD preparedness.
Details about the Symposium can be found at www.FMD2010.com.au
Staff Profile
Chris Wood
Role at Animal Health Australia
Management Accountant
What would you like to achieve this coming year at AHA?
A well developed 2010-2011 budget and further development/fine-tuning of financial and business systems.
Employment history
After my HSC I completed a Diploma in Hospitality Management, but becoming tired of shift work I changed to customer service in call centres. I then transitioned careers to accounting and after working in a junior role for Teachers Credit Union, gained most of my experience in the independent school sector. After moving to Canberra I worked for Australian Ethical Investment in their client services department but desiring to further my accounting career I found my way to AHA.
Specialisation
Having graduated a Bachelor of Financial Administration which enables me to gain CPA certification, I am soon to complete a Bachelor of Laws as a double degree. Additionally I am a member of the Australian Institute of Management.
Areas of interest
- Payroll and Human Resources
- Legal Compliance
- Financial Modelling
- Management and Corporate Culture Theories
Life outside of work
Family takes most of my time, especially with my first child, Declan, being born in August last year. This year I have refocussed on exercise (jogging, cycling, Wii Fit etc). I’m very involved with my church, Gungahlin Anglican. During football season you can hear me (preferably at the game but alternatively in front of any television screen) passionately cheering on the Sydney Swans.
Favourite holiday destination
I haven’t been outside Australia (except as a child) and so have always dreamed of visiting the USA (especially Disneyland, the Grand Canyon and New York) or going through Europe and visiting medieval relics and castles. I’ve also always wanted to go on a cruise. Alternatively, places I have already been and adored include holidaying north of Cairns and flying out to the Great Barrier Reef in a helicopter to snorkel for the day and honeymooning in the Gold Coast hinterland in a picturesque cabin in the rainforest.
Welcome
We are very pleased to welcome Emma Rooke to the AHA team. Emma has come across from DAFF to join us as our new Executive Officer. She will be providing critical strategic support to Mike Bond and Ian Denney and undertaking specific projects that support the company strategic direction.
Farewells
Terry Thomas has advised AHA that he wishes to retire from full time work at AHA with effect from 3 February 2010. Terry has been involved with AHA in some capacity for over 10 years and in that time has made an exceptional contribution to improving EAD preparedness nationally through his work in EAD training and exercising. His skills will be sorely missed. Many have benefited from the depth and breadth of Terry’s EAD experience. Fortunately Terry has agreed to continue to work with AHA on a consultancy basis to deliver some CCEAD/NMG and ILO/ILC training programs.
Vicki Pow, our Communications Manager has also retired after a short but very busy time with AHA. Vicki achieved a great deal in her time with AHA, particularly in providing excellent support to industry members through the Industry Forums. She also has left her mark on a couple of significant communication projects, including the restructured Screw Worm Fly communications program. This is an excellent example of successfully combining technical and communications expertise. Everyone at AHA is very grateful to Vicki, for her commitment and enthusiasm to her work at AHA.
Another departure in the early New Year has been Elizabeth Alsop who has returned to her home state of Victoria, after nearly two years at AHA supporting our work with AUSVETPLAN and the TSEFAP project. Elizabeth’s behind the scenes work has contributed significantly to the management of the TSEFAP program and to the progress AHA has made on developing and publishing updated AUSVETPLAN manuals.
Everyone at AHA would like to wish all three of our departing team members well as they pursue their various endeavours.
2010 AHA Calender
February
23 February - NMG Training
24 February - AHA Board meeting & Industry Forum
25 February - National Animal Health Consultative Group (NAHCG)
26 February - EADRA Workshop & CCEAD Training
27 February - CCEAD training cont'd.
You can find all of AHA’s meetings on our corporate calendar
