Australia’s most prestigious awards for veterinary professionals
For more than 100 years the AVA has represented the collective voice of the veterinary profession. The AVA Awards exist to celebrate the individuals who embody that voice, those who go above and beyond in service of the profession, the animals in their care and the communities they serve.
Inspired by pioneering legends of the profession including Dr J A Gilruth, Dr KVL Kestevan and Dr W T Kendall, the AVA Awards are a signal to our emerging leaders, innovators, scientists and researchers that excellence in the profession is valued and rewarded.
Explore the award categories below to learn more and view past winners.
Award categories
Gilruth Prize
The Gilruth Prize is the highest honour the AVA bestows each year, representing peer recognition for what is often a lifetime of dedication and service to the veterinary profession. Established in 1953 to honour Dr J A Gilruth, one of the founders of veterinary science in Australia, it recognises individuals whose contributions have had an exceptional and lasting impact on the profession both locally and globally.
Kesteven Medal
The Kesteven Medal recognises an Australian veterinarian who has made a distinguished contribution to international veterinary science through technical and scientific assistance to low and middle-income countries. Inaugurated by Dr KVL Kesteven, the first veterinarian appointed to the Food and Agriculture Organization, the medal has been jointly awarded by the AVA and ANZCVS since 1980.
President's Award
The President's Award recognises an outstanding practical contribution to the veterinary profession, with a focus on activities undertaken in the preceding five years across any field where the impact, sustained effort and initiative demonstrated are exceptional. Selected by the current AVA President, the award celebrates those who create and develop meaningful opportunities for the profession regardless of the resources available to them.
Fellow
Fellowship of the Australian Veterinary Association is a rare and distinguished honour, recognising eminent members who have made a sustained and exceptional contribution to the AVA across national, divisional, special interest group or community service. With only a limited number of active Fellowship places available at any time, this award represents peer recognition within the Association, and recipients are entitled to use the postnominals FAVA after their name.
Honorary Member
Honorary Membership is among the most significant honours the AVA bestows, recognising eminent non-veterinarians whose extraordinary contribution to the veterinary profession or the Association has had a lasting and meaningful impact. It is a distinguished award, reserved for those whose work from outside the profession has brought exceptional credit to veterinary science in Australia or globally.
Meritorious Service Award
The Meritorious Service Award has recognised long-term dedication to the AVA since 1978, honouring both members and non-members who have delivered sustained and committed service to the Association, its Divisions, Branches or Special Interest Groups. It is a meaningful acknowledgement of those whose loyalty and contribution over many years has strengthened the AVA and the broader veterinary community.
Emerging Leader Award
The Emerging Leader Award recognises high-achieving AVA members within eight years of graduating who have already made a notable contribution to the profession and demonstrated clear potential for ongoing leadership and service. Nominees are those who show initiative, contribute meaningfully to their field and embody the collegiate, respectful and supportive values the profession aspires to.
Don Kerr Veterinary Student Award
The Don Kerr Veterinary Student Award commemorates the late Don Kerr, a passionate cattle practitioner, dedicated educator and AVA President at the time of his passing in 1992. Awarded annually to a final year veterinary student nominated by their university, it recognises exceptional academic achievement and outstanding commitment to cattle medicine.
Nominations
We encourage you to nominate peers who demonstrate outstanding achievement in any of the award categories. Full eligibility criteria are available in the Award Guidelines for each category. The AVA Awards Committee reviews all nominations and notifies winners prior to the Gala Dinner. Nominations open each November and close in February. For more information contact awards@ava.com.au
Gala Dinner Presentation
The AVA Awards are announced and presented at the AVA Gala Dinner, held as part of the annual AVA Conference. It is a highlight of the veterinary calendar and a night for the profession to come together and celebrate its best.