Association of Avian Veterinarians, Australasian Committee

AAVAC Board 2019

The 2019 Directors are Anthony Chamings (President/Chairperson), Melinda Cowan, Kathy Fearnside, Stacey Gelis, James Harris, Melanie Leech (Vice President/Vice Chairperson), and Shane Raidal (Secretary/Treasurer).

Associate Directors: Michael Cannon, Kathryn Loughlin

• Appointed by member vote
• Directors to choose chairperson
• Responsible for management of the AAVAC as stated in the constitution, section 12, as this applies to all AAVAC activities aimed at meeting the company’s goal of promoting and advancing avian medicine and stewardship.

Secretary, Treasurer, Public Officer

AAVAC Ltd. (Shane Raidal)

• Appointed by the Directors of AAVAC Ltd.
• Responsible for ensuring that AAVAC Ltd. meets all legal requirements of incorporation, processes membership applications, maintains the AAVAC website and performs whatever other duties are deemed necessary by the directors.
• Responsible for  maintenance of the financial accounts of AAVAC Ltd.
• This person is a legal requirement for a Company, who serves as the point of contact for the Australian Taxation Office and Australian Securities and Investments Commission.

AAVAC Committees

AAV/AAVAC/EAAV International Committee (Trilateral Committee)

(Anthony Chamings, Kathy Fearnside, James Harris)

• Appointed by the Directors of AAVAC Ltd.
• The Committee consists of three appointees from each of AAVAC, AAVA and EAAV.
• The three AAVAC appointees will represent the AAVAC in the Trilateral Committee (TC).
  
• The TC will strengthen the voice and worldwide influence of AAVAC on avian health and welfare issues through education, science and advocacy.
• The TC will produce consensus statements on important issues
• AAVAC membership benefits will be maximised by membership of the TC.
• AAVAC Board monthly meetings will liaise with the Trilateral Committee

Animal Welfare Committee

(James Harris)

• Appointed by the Directors of AAVAC Ltd.
• Examples of issues that would be considered by this committee are:
• Form and Chair a committee of two additional AAVAC members, who will address avian welfare issues as they arise.
• Contact for issues pertaining to the welfare of birds and professional conduct of AAVAC members
  1. anaesthesia
  2. euthanasia
  3. sale of unweaned birds
  4. sale of birds at markets
  5. wing trimming
  6. raptor rehabilitation
  7. other welfare issues as they arise.
• Liaise regularly with AAVAC Directors via the AAVAC Secretary
• Provide an Annual Report for inclusion in the Agenda for the next AAVAC AGM

Research Committee

(Michael Cannon)

• Appointed by the Directors of AAVAC Ltd.
• Head the Research Committee consisting of two additional AAVAC members, one an avian veterinary academic and the other a clinical avian veterinarian.
• Advertise the AAVAC Research Fund and receive applications
• Assess applications with the Research Committee. Has deciding vote if the other  Committee members cannot agree
• Submit Research Committee recommendation(s) to AAVAC Secretary
• Advise successful /unsuccessful applicants after AAVAC Directors endorse applicant(s)
• Monitor the progress of research projects
• Liaise regularly with AAVAC Directors via the AAVAC Secretary
• Provide an Annual Report for inclusion in the Agenda for the next AAVAC AGM

New Zealand AAVAC Representative

(Melanie Leech)

• Appointed by the Directors of AAVAC Ltd.
• Liaise regularly with AAVAC Directors via the AAVAC Secretary
• Provide an Annual Report for inclusion in the Agenda for the next AAVAC AGM
• Provide topics of interest from NZ for the AAVAC Newsletter.
• Encourage membership of the AAVAC and participation in the BirdMed and AAVAC forums, and  encourage development of the avian veterinary field in NZ
• Ensure that the NZVA are aware that there are members of AAVAC in NZ

AAVAC Student Liaison

(Hamish Baron, Akshata Taggers)

• Appointed by the Directors of AAVAC Ltd.
• Liaise regularly with AAVAC Directors via the AAVAC Secretary
• Encourage student membership of the AAVAC and participation in the BirdMed and AAVAC forums
• Formulate selection guidelines, and select applicants for undergraduate and postgraduate student prizes
• Provide an Annual Report for  inclusion in the Agenda for the next AAVAC AGM

AAVAC Liaison with AAV

(James Harris)

• Appointed by the Directors of AAVAC Ltd.
• Liaise regularly with AAVAC Directors via the AAVAC Secretary
• Provide a comprehensive Annual Report for inclusion in the Agenda for the next AAVAC AGM

Newsletter Editor

(Garry Cross)

• Produce a Newsletter four times annually