Veterinary graduate scoops top award
Press release
10 December 2007
Kimberly Johnson, 22 from Templestowe, has scooped the prestigious Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) Victorian Division Student Award for 2007.
The top award is presented annually to the veterinary student who obtains the highest overall result throughout the duration of the degree.
Professor Bruce Parry, Head of Department at the Faculty of Veterinary Science said: “Although academic excellence is an essential part of this award, it also looks at a student’s practical skills and clinical ability.
“Kimberly is highly respected by her classmates and academic staff. She is an outstanding role model both as a student and a vet.
“In addition to this award, she also received five other prizes including the ‘Hill’s Prize in Small Animal Medicine’ and the ‘Postgraduate Foundation Prize for Clinical Competency’. This is an exceptional achievement, in an extremely demanding and challenging course. I cannot think of a more deserving student for our top award.”
Speaking about the award, Kimberly said: “I was totally stunned when it was announced that I had received this award. I’ve always wanted to be a vet ever since I can remember, and just set out to do the best that I could throughout the duration of the course. It’s a great honour, as everyone on the course is hardworking and had to learn an enormous volume of work and sit an extensive number of exams.
“I would like to thank everyone for their tremendous support, particularly the amazing veterinary teaching staff, my parents and partner, David.”
The newly qualified vet has already been offered a job at Yarra Ranges Animal Hospital in the Yarra Valley. She plans to work for a few years and then hopefully travel overseas some time in the future. Ultimately one day she would like to specialise in equine medicine, as horses have always been her first love.
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