Graduation 2007 - by Jo Coombe
Press release
10 December 2007
On Saturday 8 December, 84 Veterinary Science students had their Bachelor of Veterinary Science degree conferred by the Deputy Chancellor, Justice Alex Chernov, in Wilson hall. They were the 41st class to have done so since the re-opening of the veterinary school at the University of Melbourne in 1963.
At the graduation ceremony, Jo Coombe, who graduated with a First Class Honours degree, provided the farewell speech. We’ve added some excerpts:
“James Herriott continues to be one of my biggest inspirations, and the reason I initially decided to become a vet. That was 22 years ago, aged 11. Coincidentally, Dr Liz Tudor, one of our most respected lecturers recently told me that a study showed that 11 years was the average age that prospective veterinarians realise their vocation.
“I say vocation, and it is. This is not a glamorous career. There are not many vets out there that would survive very long with an aversion to getting their hands dirty, whether they are large or small animal vets. We are all here today because something drove us to study very hard. Once on the course, we had to have the drive and self-discipline to study when other students were partying, and sacrifice weekends and holidays to gain the experience we needed to become successful vets.
“Now we are graduating. The passion, the vocation, the drive continues, and it must. None of us will sign a contract for a 9 to 5, Monday to Friday job, whether we are working in the country, the city, or whether we go into research. So why are we doing it? I can’t answer that question for everyone, but I can answer why I am here - the animals.
“Yes, I love science, yes I love challenges, yes I love driving around the countryside and meeting people. But none of that, for me can surpass the feeling that you made a difference – both on a basic level, by educating new owners about vaccinating their new kitten, or on a higher level, for example having a skill to diagnose an important exotic disease that could devastate whole groups of animals.
“All aspects of Veterinary Science are extremely important, and the one thing I am completely confident about is that we have all been given the knowledge and the tools by this University, and the staff of the Faculty of Veterinary Science to become excellent vets. Congratulations and good luck everyone.”
For further information please contact the Marketing Manager, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Melbourne, Tel: 8344 7844 or email: vet-communications@unimelb.edu.au