The Kendall Oration is awarded to a veterinarian who has made a significant career contribution to the advancement of veterinary science and/or the profession. They bring a perspective on a significant achievement of the profession or future challenges of the profession.
Open to AVA members and non-members, the winner of the Kendall Oration presents a 10-minute oration at the following AVA Conference.
The Kendall Oration was founded in Canberra in 1930 by the five sons of Dr William Tyson Kendall who migrated to Australia in 1880 and made a unique contribution to veterinary science in Australia. Dr Kendall helped found the Australasian Veterinary Medical Association in 1880 and is known to many as the ‘father of veterinary medicine’ in Australia.
It was initially administered jointly by the AVA and the Commonwealth Department of Health, but since 1972 the AVA has been solely responsible. The oration is awarded when the AVA Conference is held in Canberra or Melbourne.
The Committee, Judges and Board will look at the outstanding service to veterinary science in Australia.
A member veterinarian who has made a significant career contribution to the advancement of veterinary science and/or the profession. They bring a perspective on a significant achievement of the profession or future challenges of the profession.
The oration is usually given by a noted veterinarian working in Melbourne or Canberra, however veterinarians from other states may also be considered.
Only one award may be given in any one year and the award will not be given if a suitable recipient cannot be identified.
Divisional or Special Interest Group Committees
The AVA Awards Committee are responsible for receiving the nominations and ensuring that recipients have been judged as per the criteria.
The AVA Board ratifies the recipients before they are announced to ensure suitability of all recipients.
Secrecy should be maintained in relation to nominations.
It may be necessary to speak with the nominee to obtain information required for submitting but we ask that you do this discreetly and let them know that nominations do not guarantee success.
If not successful, the same nominee can be put forward for a further 2 years following their first nomination.
Please note that these nominations will not occur automatically. Subsequent nominations must be resubmitted to ensure that all relevant information is accurate and up to date.
After 2 years the nominator will have to apply to the Awards Committee (via Peta Bortfield) to request consideration to be able to submit another nomination.
The Awards Committee will not provide feedback on the nominations as they are confidential.