Scone Equine Hospital's Dr Catherine Russell has been elected President of the Upper Hunter Branch of the Australian Veterinary Association.

The Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) is a professional organisation that represents veterinarians across Australia. It is Australia’s premier reference group for policy and information about animal health and welfare. The association maintains relationships with national, state and local levels of government, and provides advice on all aspects of animal health and welfare policy.

The AVA's national office is located in Sydney with the NSW Division having 17 branches across the state. It represents members in a variety of forums and before members of state parliament.

The Upper Hunter Branch provides continuing education opportunities for members and promotes unity by inviting input and participation from all AVA members.

Catherine Russell graduated from the University of Sydney in 1995. She worked in mixed and equine practice in Australia and England and joined Scone Equine Hospital in 2000. She has practiced as a stud resident veterinarian and took part in Scone Equine Hospital’s exchange program with Newmarket Equine Hospital in the UK. Catherine gained Membership of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists in Equine Medicine in 2003. She spent six months as a Fellow of Equine Perinatology and Neonatology at the University of Pennsylvania in the US and gained Fellowship of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists in 2007. Scientific Editor of the Australian Equine Veterinarian Journal, Catherine is also a registered specialist in Equine Medicine and works at the Clovelly Intensive Care Unit of SEH in Scone. She is currently researching the usefulness of iron as a predictor of illness in foals.

As President of the AVA Upper Hunter Branch, Catherine's role will encompass acting as a representative for the veterinarians of the district and providing continuing professional development opportunities.

"We will organise 2-3 meetings a year for our members incorporating a speaker who will address a topical issue," says Dr Russell. "This gives local vets a forum to get together and learn about and discuss issues that are important to both their practice and their clients."

Dr Russell said that the Hendra Virus was of interest to all equine veterinarians and last night's AVA meeting was devoted to the subject of both Hendra and the recent outbreak of Flaviviruses which had affected horses with neurological symptoms in Qld, NSW and Victoria.

"Hendra has not been diagnosed in the Upper Hunter but it is obviously something that people are worried about," reports Dr Russell. "Last night's discussion by Deborah Middleton and Jemma Bergfeld at Hunter Valley Equine Research Centre was very well attended. The industry is working towards the release of a commercial vaccine against Hendra in 2013 and the AVA Forum gave participants the opportunity to understand where researchers are up to with this important project."