Newsletter

The Newsletter
Issue 1

After agreeing to take on the onerous duties of Honorary Secretary (following severe arm twisting and liberal treatments with Scotland’s finest liquid), I was then told that I have to start a Newsletter for the members of this august association.

So here we go, and let me emphasise immediately that for this to be a successful venture YOUR participation, suggestions and contributions are essential. Without them I will sooner or later run out of ideas, and in any case the most important function must be to disseminate useful, funny or otherwise topical information from any appropriate source. Please feel very free to contact me by telephone, fax, e-mail or the much under-rated traditional snail mail. Let me add that your thoughts should not include any subversive or rude remarks about yours truly (remember that I will retain Editorial control!). At the moment I am not able to predict how often my muse will grace me with her presence, so the frequency of these Newsletters is unpredictable, but must to a considerable extent rely on your contributions. The letters will include factual reports from legal proceedings that affect us or are of particular interest, and some less academic material when it is available. The length of articles is much less important than the quality and content so even one-liners will be acceptable.
Let us start by recognising that from a legal standpoint we are living through a time of major changes in various fields for our profession. At such occasions I feel uncomfortably aware of the old Chinese curse “may you live in interesting times”.
Some of these changes are reflected in the first day at the November meeting where we are bringing in speakers with in depth knowledge of e.g. the (possible) new Veterinary Surgeons Act, employment law and the Medicines Act to discuss how they do or will impinge on the profession.

It is also, in this first issue, appropriate to introduce the most important members of your council.

Bill Jackson, a barrister as well as a Veterinary Surgeon who has been a mainstay ever since the VAAJ was formed is President. He is also the person who writes up the proceedings of meetings for publication and publicity.
Tony Andrews – well known to many people, especially RVC graduates, is chairman.
Trevor Turner also a very well known member of the Veterinary profession who is now in charge of the monetary matters of the Association.
Last for the moment, but very definitely not least, John Penfold without whom VAAJ would not exist and who has just stepped down from being both Hon Sec and Hon Treasurer. I am sure that the dual responsibility was more than anybody should be expected to cope with. It is difficult to find the words to do sufficient justice to all the effort and hard work that John has given theVAAJ and we all wish him all the best for his “retirement” but look forward to seeing him in a more relaxed and less harassed humour in the future.

20th September 2003