The AVA Awards

The AVA Awards support and promote extraordinary achievement within the veterinary profession. They showcase the veterinary professionals who have gone above and beyond and who strive for excellence both in Australia and internationally.

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.

Gala Dinner Presentation

The AVA Awards will be announced and presented at the 2026 AVA Awards Gala Dinner, to be held at the 2026 AVA Conference in Brisbane on Wednesday 20 May, 2026. It will be a night for the industry to unite behind all the winners and celebrate their achievements.

Nominations

We encourage you to nominate and recognise your peers who meet the criteria for outstanding achievement in each of the award categories. 

See below for links to nomination forms. 

Please refer to the Award Guidelines for more information on eligibility for each category. 

The AVA Awards Committee will review nominations and award winners will be notified prior to the AVA  Gala Dinner.

Gilruth Prize

This is the highest honour awarded each year by the AVA and represents peer recognition for many years – often a lifetime – of dedication and service of the highest degree.

Our previous recipients have distinguished themselves with their valued contributions across diverse areas of veterinary science, both in Australia and globally. With their work ranging from research, literature and education, to animal welfare, advocacy and practice management, all recipients of the Gilruth Prize are united by the exceptional impact they’ve had on the veterinary profession.

Click here to nominate.

Kesteven Medal

The Kesteven Medal is awarded to an Australian veterinarian in recognition of distinguished contribution to international veterinary science via the provision of technical and scientific assistance to low and middle-income countries.

It takes an exceptional veterinarian to look outside the familiarity of their home environment and endeavour to serve the profession beyond our borders.

Click here to nominate.

President's Award

Selected by the current AVA president, this award recognises an outstanding practical contribution, particularly within the preceding 5 years.

Fellow Award

Some members offer such a remarkable contribution that awarding them a Fellow of the Australian Veterinary Association is entirely appropriate.

With a limit to the number of active Fellowship places available, a Fellow is deserved recognition for the dedication and service given by these members to their peers.

Click here to nominate.

Honorary Member

Usually reserved for non-veterinarians, Honorary Members are eminent persons who are appointed as a token of respect for their services to the AVA or to the veterinary profession as a whole.

Our most recent Honorary Member leaders who have made outstanding contributions to veterinary science and business/leadership.

Honorary Members enjoy all the privileges of AVA membership in the Association and the Divisions, except those of voting and holding office.

Click here to nominate.

Meritorious Service Award

The Meritorious Service Award was established by the AVA in 1978, and recognises long-term service to the AVA. The Meritorious Service Award may be given to AVA members, or other persons who are not eligible for membership of the Association.

Recent recipients have excelled as enthusiastic and committed servants to the Association over many years.

Click here to nominate.

Emerging Leader

The Emerging Leader Award is an award that recognises a high achieving individual, who are within 8 years of completion of University and currently working in the veterinary profession.  

The Award recognises emerging leaders with in the profession who have already made a notable contribution to the sector and have demonstrated the potential for leadership and continuing service.  

Click here to nominate.

Donn Kerr Veterinary Student Award

This highly regarded award commemorates the work of the late Don Kerr, an enthusiastic cattle practitioner and dedicated educator of veterinary undergraduates. Don died in 1992 while serving as president of the AVA.

Australian veterinary schools are invited to nominate one final year student for this celebrated award, with the nominees to be judged on their academic achievement and commitment to cattle medicine.

Click here to nominate.