VN July 2023

Vetnuus | July 2023 26 The annual Ricky Wilson Award is recognition by peers for actively practicing rural veterinarians who have consistently (for over 20 years) rendered an excellent service to clients and serve as a model and inspiration for fellow practitioners. It is not intended for academics, teachers, administrators or researchers - there are other SAVA awards for these categories. The award has been given out since 2002. Recipients over the last five years have been Roland Larson, Jannie van der Merwe, Francois van Niekerk and Ian Herbst and Martin Ferreira This year Dr Adrian Gordon was awarded this prestigious award. Dr Adrian Gordon BVSc, BCom (Hons) has been practising as a farm animal veterinarian in the KZN Midlands for over forty years. Adrian leads by example and has enormous dedication and passion for providing the best service to his clients and patients. He has forged unbreakable relationships with the farming community and has made significant contributions to the success of many producers. His devotion to the Howick Veterinary Clinic is unprecedented. He is often the first to arrive and the last to get home at the end of the day. Adrian has a broad set of skills that range from managing the clinic finances, human resources, client complaints to mentoring and teaching young vets. Furthermore, he will always generously give his time and be the first to volunteer when the emergency call comes in late on a Friday afternoon! He is a true inspiration to all those who have been lucky enough to share time with him. This is how his clients and colleagues motivated him as a worthy recipient: “Dr Adrian Gordon: An Invaluable Asset It is difficult to condense into a few words the Vet, the Man and Friend who has contributed to our farming venture for over forty-plus years. For the first 20 years, Adrian attended to our emergency calls and then took over as our herd vet 20 years ago. During this time, we have grown to rely heavily on his availability, during and after hours, for advice and help. A humble man that has never been too hard-headed to ask what our gut feeling is when faced with a diagnostic dilemma. During herd visits, his time is given generously. You never felt rushed; he answers each question with honesty and insight. A well-read, up- to-date vet who knows his oats; always ready to share his knowledge. He can accurately assess cow nutrition and feeds, and this includes searching all avenues to find answers to unique problems. He never gave up, even when faced with difficult circumstances. Try at all costs! A calm, gentle and sensitive approach when working with both animals and staff ensured that herd visits were conducted peacefully. Adrian’s amazing ability in his advancing years has enabled us to enjoy his happy disposition and work ethic at our herd visits. The love of his clients has included caring for the families, knowing each member by name, and sharing their problems. He leaves us feeling totally cared for and a part of a very special group. The Vet The Man The Friend” From the Smythe Family Nottingham Road Dr Adrian Gordon “It is an Honor, and it gives me great pleasure to write about what, in my view, is an exceptional individual. Back in 1981, when I had been farming a mixed farming operation (beef, sheep and vegetables) and had introduced a small dairy unit (20 cows being milked by hand, supplying NCD with six cans a day!), I was faced with a small problem! Dr Wacher of the Howick Veterinary Practice had allocated to me a junior partner of the practice to do the veterinary work on the farm whom I was not getting on with. Rather than the issue being a lack of performance, let’s describe it as a “clash of personalities”. I had heard that Dr Gordon was a promising and up-and-coming young Vet! RickyWilson Award “Ricky Wilson believed that the most important role of the rural veterinarian is the empowerment of the producer so that the veterinarian and farmer can work as a team to improve profits.”