Most participants of the AVA Conference in Darwin recently expounded inspiration and ideas of new directions. AMRRIC made three presentations which included AMRRIC Executive Officer, Julia Hardaker chairing The Public Health Forum on Monday. Dr Stephen Cutter- AMRRIC Veterinarian and Board member gave a highly illustrated perspective on the ‘Human health/animal health veterinary interface’ and Julia highlighted AMRRIC’s work in addressing the issues connecting human and animal health.

AMRRIC continued into the afternoon when Julia introduced Dr Ted Donelan (AMRRIC veterinarian and Vice President) to a standing room only audience. Ted gave a heart-felt presentation on ‘The relationship between indigenous Australians and their dogs’ based on his rich and diverse experience of working in West Arnhem Land, NT over the past eight years.

Dr Jan Allen (AMRRIC Program Manager) and an experienced Vet who has been working in remote indigenous communities for many years presented at the Friday Dog Bite Symposium on ‘Dogs in Indigenous Communities’.

There is no doubt these exposés engendered huge interest from conference attendees.

AMRIRC is the Peak body for animal management in rural and remote communities. AMRRIC is an experienced independent group of veterinarians, nurses, academics, health workers and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who promote the health and well-being of indigenous communities nationally through the provision of culturally sensitive, sustainable dog health programs. AMRRIC engages with the local people through community consultation and knowledge transfer, to empower communities and provide choice in animal management and control.