AMRRIC 2012 Conference

Above: AMRRIC Board and staff at the Annual General Meeting following the conference held at the University of New England

Renowned photographer and author David Darcy headed the diverse list of speakers at the October 2012 AMRRIC conference “Outback dogs - challenges and solutions for Indigenous communities, animals and public health”, held with the generous support of Dr Wendy Brown and the University of New England, Armidale.

David photographs dogs (and their people) and he spoke about the sensitivities of portraying the relationship between dogs and their human companions in often challenging and potentially intrusive situations. And we’re thrilled his introduction to AMRRIC has led to a joint project – see Living with Camp Dogs DVD.

The packed day and a half conference program included presentations on the increasingly real threat of rabies entering northern Australia (Dr Joe Schmidt, Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy), managing free-ranging dogs around communities (Dr Peter Fleming, Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre), challenges and practicalities of working in remote communities (Dr Ted Donelan, the RSPCA’s Dr Ann-Margret Withers and Canberra vet Dr Michael Archinal), and excellent poster sessions from UNE Canid Research Centre students (see full program).

Next year we’re heading to the Red Centre, with Alice Springs the venue for the 2013 conference. The two day conference – a perfect excuse to combine learning with a short break – will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday 1 and 2 October 2013.