Minutes of the Annual General Meeting of the ANZCVS Small Animal Medicine
Chapter 2015
Gold Coast, 5 pm Friday 10th July 2015
Present:
Amy Lane, Louisa Johnson, Mellora Sharmen, Kate Gleadey, Louise Roberts / Bailey Fleur James, Sonia
McGill, Jody Braddock, Lizzy Gan, Danielle Bowles, Ann Thompson, Gemma Birnie, Jana Leskinsky, Tunbi
Idowu, Boyd Jones, Robyn Jarrett, Richard Malik, Peter Barron, Raelene Wouda, Steven Holloway, Elizabeth
Ralph, Lisa Ricards, Peter Bennett, Patricia Newton, Ruth Sutcliff, Mike Coleman, Linda Abraham, Julie
Waring, Matt Retchford, Peter Bennett, Darren Merrett, David Davies, Matt Woodruff, Anna Tebb, Lydia
Hambrook Rhcard Churcher, Mary Thompson, Adrian Witham, Caroline Mansfield, Simon Craig.
Apologies: None
Business arising from the previous meeting:
 Formulate guidelines / policy for Membership & Fellowship examination team rotation by Head of
CEC & Chapter executive – ongoing, and with consultation with Board of Examiners
 Revision of Small Animal Medicine Fellowship Subject Guidelines by Head of CEC and Chapter CEC
team – ongoing, and with consultation with Board of examiners
 Fellowship Question Banks & file share by CEC team and all willing Fellows and Diplomats – ongoing
 Revise abstract guidelines – Mary Thompson - ongoing
 Canine Medicine Memberships – letter drafted by Adrian and Mary to College Council and Board of
examiners expressing our desire to cease this exam as per the vote in 2014. No official response but
unofficial response is we will move towards ceasing this exam
Richard Malik motioned the previous minutes are accepted.
Prizes and Awards:
The prizes for the Small Animal Medicine research abstracts were awarded to:
FIRST PRIZE: Kate Worthing – Characterisation of Antimicrobial Susceptible and Resistant Staphylococcal
Infections in Australian Cats and Dogs
SECOND PRIZE : Anne Fraser – Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor and KI-67 Expression in Canine Gliomas
THIRD PRIZE: Elizabeth Ralph – Canine Stress Syndrome in Four Related Male English Springer Spaniels
The prize for the Feline Medicine research abstract was awarded to:
FIRST PRIZE: Leonie Thom – Inflammatory myositis in cats
The Small Animal Medicine Chapter Prize for Outstanding Performance in Membership Examinations was
awarded to (tied)


Lizzy Gan
Ryan Cattin
It was also noted that Barbara Jameson won this award in 2012 but not acknowledge as extensively as we
would have liked. Our apologies to Barbara.
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The Small Animal Chapter Service Award was awarded to Caroline Mansfield for her profound, passionate
and sustained tireless commitment to the Small Animal Medicine Chapter.
The Small Animal Medicine Chapter congratulates all these members
Reports from executives and committees:
The Treasurer’s report was not available but can be obtained by contacting the treasurer.
Lisa Richards (treasurer) reported the Small Animal Medicine Chapter is soundly financial
and running at surplus, “we have money”.
Science week
The consensus was that this year’s themes had been an outstanding success. Sponsorship and ongoing
generous support of Hill’s Pet Nutrition was acknowledged and thanked by all. Boyd Jones, Caroline
Mansfield, Simon Craig, Lisa Richards, Mary Thompson and Adrian Witham thanked by all for their assistance
with the Chapter’s CSW. Talks by David Church and Lauren Trepanier were particular highlights. Hot shots
worked very well again. Thurid Johnstone thanked for stepping in at last minute. Our best wishes to Lauren
Lacorcia and her family. All speakers and associated chapters thanked for their time and efforts.
Highly effective to had notes go online before start of CSW. Moderators, AV (laser pointer, roving and lapel
microphone, slide advancer, screen size & height) worked well this year. Feedback forms will be collated and
dispersed by Adrian Witham. Suggestions for future topics and speakers welcome
Mary Thompson will continue to review eligibility of the abstract awards. Mary thanks for her outstanding
efforts and a congratulated on a very strong program.
Collaboration with Radiology Chapter for pre-conference “Brain Day” targeted at specialists and those in
training programs (but open to all) went well. Some 40 delegates from Australia and New Zealand attended;
about half were in training programs. The generous sponsorship and support of Hallmarq (Platinum), Medical
Plus (Gold), and PetPlan (Silver) was acknowledged and thanked by all. Feedback will be collated and
distributed by Adrian Witham. The even ran at a small profit. Adrian Witham, Cathy Beck, Marjorie Milne,
Sam Long, Annie Rose, Lisa Richards, and Mary Thompson were thanks by all for their assistance with running
this great event. It is desired that another pre-conference day is run next year. Suggested topics and
speakers are welcome.
Election of Office Bearers:
President: Adrian Witham cycles from Vice President to President.
Vice President: Mary Thompson cycles from President to Vice President. Mary is thanked for her
outstanding efforts as President.
Treasurer: Lisa Richards will stay on a chapter treasurer. She was thanked by all for her ongoing 8 years of
service.
SW organising committee: Mary Thompson (abstracts). Adrian Witham. Simon Craig (CD,
proceedings). Simon Craig was thanked by all for his ongoing service. Notes for CSW 2015 are on
the chapter website, and Simon demonstrated how to find them. Simon is looking for a trainee for
this position. No other volunteers at present.
Adrian Witham is happy to organize the Hill’s Small Animal Cocktail Party again next year. The
main changes this year were back to the “lawn” area, 7 pm start time, different menu, invitation
extended to Feline Chapter Members, and email invitation (along with AGM details for SAM and
Feline). A few comments of a little crowded. Event feedback to be collated and dispersed by
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Adrian Witham.
CEC members: Lydia Hambrook will again be head of the CEC for next year. She was thanked by all for her
service. CEC chapter liaison roles not yet filled, Lydia Hambrook will approach potential candidates.
Expressions of interest to help with examinations requested.
Mellora Sharman thanked for her service as Fellowship Head Subject Examiner. Darren Merrett has offered
to assume this role for next year.
Erin Bell thanked for her service as Membership Head Subject Examiner.
The Small Animal Medicine Chapter thanks all membership and fellowship examiners, and CEC members
for their service.
Lydia Hambrook (Head of Chapter CEC) thanked all examiners, in particular Mellora Sharman (HSE Fellowships)
and Erin Bell (HSE Memberships), for a fantastic job. There were a high number of candidates (51 in
memberships, and 9 in fellowship and 3 resits). The challenges of recruiting fellowship examiners was again
mentioned. The fellowship pass rate was though generally though too low (mainly for those resitting
components, first time pass rate higher and similar to ACVIM), and feedback on the exam, and how the exam
can be improved to ensure appropriate benchmarking (which is difficult given who our format differs from
ECVIM and ACVIM). Discussed sending questions to Fellows for review. Discussion as to if answer keys should
also be provided. Feedback is welcome. Discussions about the removal of choice from the exam, and colleges
opinion to remove this to avoid candidates wasting time, and avoiding answering weaker areas. Challenges of
candidates applying knowledge to higher order situations was discussed, and need to prepare candidates for
this. Discussions around reviewing past 10 years of exams (and also compare to other colleges / chapters) and
see if standard is getting higher. Pass rate may be the exam and/or candidate training related, but the exam
should be looked at first. Need to look at what parts candidates struggle with, and consider adjusting scores
post exam and during the review / marking process. Recognition a review a is required. Suggested that
perhaps Fellows reviewing the question could provide a suggested answer key, or what score a candidate
should get on each section. Importance of examiner training, especially for new examiners highlighted. The
college can assist with having a private workshop and the funds will come out of the chapter costs to the
college. Need for more candidate workshops for preparation. The Board of Examiners is looking into this, web
based exam techniques, enabling candidates to contact each other for study groups / support, and resident
forums. Feedback welcome. Expression of interest to assist with examinations or contribute to question bank
welcome. Need for large rotating examiner pool to keep experience and corporate memory. Challenges of
keeping examiners for 3 years discussed. The Chapter CEC will liase more with the Board of Examiners, review
the exam(s) (particularly Fellowships), have exams reviewed by Fellows / Diplomates (some questions only,
some questions and answers, may depends on legality).
Discussed that 2 year training program is too short for some candidates, and the chapter can change this / the
number of direct supervised weeks. Off line discussion planned. Fellowship guidelines are up for review. May
become a vote.
Desire to put together a day to help membership candidates know how to prepare and take the exams with
BOE help.
Desire to assist put Fellowship candidates in contact with each other and facilitate conversations, study and
support groups.
Memberships – Question sharing with the Feline Chapter was not allowed this year as the
BOE deemed the subject guidelines are too different. Given candidate numbers, an extra pair
of examiners was required.
Other business:
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CHAPTER SERVICE MEDAL: Reminded all presence of this medal. There are a number of potential applicants
and members are encouraged to submit submissions. Chapter exec to assist with advertising this award such
as annual email to member to call for nominations.
Meeting closed approximately 6 p.m.
ACTION ITEMS:
Task
Review Fellowship (Membership) Exams
(see above)
Formulate guidelines / policy for
Membership & Fellowship examination
team rotation – ongoing
Revise Small Animal Medicine Fellowship
Subject Guidelines (including minimal
training length) & submit to Board of
Examiners – ongoing
Find suitable person to fill each CEC Liaison
roles and other examiner roles
Write Fellowship exam questions and file
share (e.g. Drop box) with Lydia Hambrook
Possible training day in how to prepare for
Membership Exams
Collate & disseminate CSW feedback forms
Revise abstract guidelines - ongoing
Assist fellowship candidates contact each
other for study groups / support
2015 CSW Conveners including exploring
pre-day
Hill’s cocktail party planning 2016
Chapter Service Reminder email /
promotion
Responsible
Head of CEC & Chapter
executive, Board of Examiners
Head of CEC & Chapter
executive, Board of Examiners
Head of CEC & Chapter CEC
team,
with
Board
of
Examiners
Head of CEC & Examination
teams
All willing Fellows / Diplomats
CEC, Adrian Witham, BOE
Adrian Witham
Mary Thompson
Mary Thompson
Mary Thompson (abstracts),
Adrian Witham, others TBA
Adrian Witham
Adrian Witham
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