Dr Hugh J Wirth AM
Mooroopna Ambassador
Personal
Born 9 September 1939 - Melbourne
Education
• The University of Queensland – Brisbane – Graduated 16 December 1963 (B.V.Sc.)
• Xavier College – Melbourne – 1949 -1957
Employment
• Principal, Balwyn Veterinary Surgery, January 1967 - August 2006 (retired)
• Associate Veterinary Practitioner, Balwyn Veterinary Surgery, 1965-1966
• Associate Veterinary Practitioner, Drouin Veterinary Surgery, 1964-1965
Veterinary Professional Appointments
• Member, Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons since 2004
• Honorary Secretary, Australian Veterinary Association, 1978-1981
• Convener, Standing Committee on Animal Welfare, Australian Veterinary Association, 1972-1978
• President, Victorian Division, Australian Veterinary Association, 1974
• Member, Victorian Veterinary Practitioners Registration Board, 1972-1981
• President, Melbourne Metropolitan Veterinary Practitioners Association, 1969
• Academic Associate, (now Senior Fellow), in the Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Melbourne 1967- 2006
• Member, Veterinary Panel, The Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria since 1965; Chairman since 1995
• Member, Melbourne Metropolitan Veterinary Practitioners Association 1965 -2007
• Member, Australian Veterinary Association since 1964. Life Member since 2006
RSPCA and Related Appointments (Honorary)
• Senior Vice-President ( Immediate Past President) WSPA 2006 – 2008
• President, World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) 2004 - 2006
• Junior Vice-President (President-elect), WSPA 2002-2004
• Secretary, WSPA 2000-2004
• Board Trustee WSPA since 1993
• President, RSPCA Australia 1980-1983 and 1988-2006
• Immediate Past President RSPCA Australia since 2006
• National Board Director, RSPCA Australia since 1980
• President, RSPCA (Victoria) since 1972
• Director, RSPCA (Victoria) Board since 1969
Animal Welfare Appointments
• Member, Australian Pork CRC Board since 2011
• Member, Advisory Panel, Marjan Centre for the study of Conflict and Conservation, King’s College, London since 2010
• Member, Australian Animal Welfare Strategy Advisory Committee to the Australian Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry since 2005
• Member, Live Export Standards Advisory Committee to the Australian Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry 2004 – 2009
• Member, Advisory Committee to the Professor of Animal Welfare, The University of Queensland, since 2003 - 2009
• Member, Independent Reference Group on Live Animal Exports to the Australian Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry 1999 -2003
• Member, National Consultative Committee on Animal Welfare to the Australian Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry 1989 – 2011
• Member, National Advisory Committee on Kangaroos to the Australian Minister for the Environment 1985-1995
• Member, Victorian Intensive Dairy Review Committee, 1983
• Member, Victorian Animal Welfare Advisory Committee to the Minister for Primary Industries since 1980
• Member, Livestock Advisory Committee to the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, 1970 - 2005.
Other Appointments
• Member, Australian Institute of Company Directors since 2010
• Knight of Honour, The Order of St John of Jerusalem, Knights Hospitaller - 1999. Knight of Grace 2004
• Australia Day Ambassador, since 1997. Life Ambassador since 2005.
• Broadcaster on Animal Welfare Issues 1278 Radio Melbourne 1972-1978 and 774 ABC Melbourne Australian Broadcasting Corporation, since 1981
• Vice-President (College) The University of Queensland Students Union, 1963
• President, St Leo’s University College Students Club, 1963
Awards
• McDermott Award for a significant contribution to the welfare of animals through the WSPA, 2010
• Xaverian Award for community service and sustained commitment to the ideals of St. Ignatius Loyola, Xavier College, 2009
• Assisi Award for Outstanding Service to Animals, the New Zealand Companion Animal Council 2007
• Vocational Excellence Award, the Rotary Club of North Balwyn, 2007
• Certificate of Appreciation for service to the Australian Veterinary profession as an animal welfare advocate 2007
• Awarded Centenary of Federation Medal for work with RSPCA Australia, 2003
• Admitted to the degree of Doctor of Veterinary Science (DVSc) honoris causa The University of Melbourne, 2001
• Honorary Life Membership, The Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria, 1999
• Massachusetts SPCA (USA) George T Angell Humanitarian Award, 1998
• President’s Medal, The Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria, 1998
• Victoria Day Award for Community and Public Service, 1997
• RSPCA Australia Outstanding Service Award, 1994
• Honorary Life Membership. RSPCA (Victoria), 1992
• Advance Australia Award, 1988
• Appointed Member, The Order of Australia, 1985
• Elected Fellow, Australian Veterinary Association, 1979
Publications
• Living with Cats, 1997; Second Edition (revised) 2010
• Living with Dogs, 1995; Second Edition (revised) 2010
• A Vet’s Guide to Your Pets Illnesses and Injuries, 1978
• Numerous papers and articles on animal welfare issues
Clubs
• Royal Automobile Club of Victoria
Recreation
• Gardening
• Light aircraft flying