A highly experienced new recruit joined the Northern Tablelands Local Land Services Armidale based team last month.
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District Veterinarian, Amanda Walker, recently relocated to Armidale from Wagga Wagga to take up a role that she sees as both rewarding and challenging.
Growing up on a sheep and cattle property at Delegate, on the southern Monaro, ignited Amanda’s interest in animal health and production.
In 2013, Amanda graduated from Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, with a Bachelor of Veterinary Biology and Bachelor of Veterinary Science.
On graduating, Amanda worked in southern NSW and northern Victoria where she was responsible for the provision of services to a range of veterinary practices. This was followed by a move into the ruminant feed industry with a focus on trace minerals.
Amanda’s passion for animal health saw her return to teaching at Charles Sturt University as a lecturer in production animal health to veterinary and animal science students. She also undertook further study of her own through an honours project in sheep parasitology, which she describes as her main area of interest.
the Northern Tablelands is an area with significant sheep parasite challenges, primarily due to climatic conditions
- Amanda Walker
“Part of what attracted me to this exciting role with Northern Tablelands Local Land Services was the fact that the Northern Tablelands is an area with significant sheep parasite challenges, primarily due to climatic conditions” said Amanda.
Amanda’s interesting and varied role will see her travelling across the region to fulfil a range of key responsibilities.
“My role is focused on animal biosecurity, disease surveillance and welfare," she said. "This includes responding to reports of disease and mortality and further investigation of such cases. I am also looking forward to working with producers, delivering some information sessions and responding to additional opportunities as they arise."
Amanda is keenly aware of the current seasonal conditions, both drought and fire related, facing many producers.
“We are currently experiencing a different suite of problems brought on by the seasonal conditions. It is important that producers are aware that we are here to provide support in the face of these challenges.”
Amanda said she is looking forward to hearing from producers who have any animal health issues.