VN January 2023

Vetnews | January 2023 29 Citation of the SAVA (posthumous) Dr Chris Kingsley and other experimental animals has been especially remarkable and sustained, already recognised by the SAVAwith the 1986 Silver Medal (now the President's Award). Dr Austin has continued his contributions in this field and has served for a truly remarkable 47 unbroken years on the AnimalWelfare Committee (now the Animal Ethics andWelfare Committee), including several terms as its Chair. Under his guidance and leadership, this committee has rendered the SAVA long and sterling service in formulating defensible and well-researched positions regarding animal welfare on various issues. Often, these are controversial issues that need courage and perseverance. Dr Austin has served as a lecturer at six universities and several technikons in South Africa and has authored or co- authored 78 scientific articles on animal welfare. His contributions include management of and providing consultation services to many organisations using laboratory animals. For his unflagging animal welfare advocacy, John Austin is a worthy recipient of Honorary Life Membership. v Dr Chris Kingsley's life was tragically cut short in 2018. Still, in the previous 25 years, he had shown his consummate skills and expertise, particularly with avian species, which the SAVA recognised in 1995 with the Clinical Award. After 1995 he continued to make many meritorious contributions to a wide field of exotic animals, wildlife and birds of all types. He helped fellowveterinarians unstintinglywith advice, addressing many South African meetings and congresses, as well as internationally. His expertise led to his use as a consultant in many of the 59 countries where his expertise was acknowledged. He became an expert in the translocation of wildlife and contributed further to this important field. His expertise and knowledge were sought and used to design and improve facilities and operational systems in zoos and safari parks in many countries worldwide and to source and introduce appropriate species where they were needed. It is appropriate that the SAVA recognises his expertise and contributions by conferring a SAVA Citation (Posthumous) on him. His grandson received his award on his behalf. v 2022 SAVA AWARDS Boswell Award Dr Quixi Sonntag Dr Ilsemarie (Quixi) Sonntag spent some years in mixed and small animal practice until 1999, when she established the first local referral practice for pet behaviour therapy. In 2008 she embarked on a teaching career at the Veterinary Faculty in Ethology and animal welfare, where she is still involved. Since 2000, Quixi's involvement with the SAVA has been manifold. She has chaired the following SAVA substructures: Awards Committee (for seven years), Ethics Committee, Animal Welfare Committee, Animal Behaviour and Interaction Group and Pretoria Branch Committee and is currently a director of the South African Veterinary Foundation. She was also a member of several other SAVA and SAVA-associated committees, such as the Community