2012 Veterinary Trust Ambassadors

Catherine Bishop – 4th Year Student 
I have always wanted to be a vet and as a South Australian that meant that your best chance of getting in was to Murdoch. By the time I actually came to apply there was a vet school in Adelaide, but Murdoch's reputation and its international recognition were big draw factors and I was lucky enough to be accepted here and have not looked back. Murdoch's facilities and great staff make a fantastic learning environment and while the course is not easy there are always people around to help.

I completed a BSc in the US prior to commencing my veterinary studies. As part of this degree we had many opportunities to participate in volunteer work and represent the University. The culture in the US is to be loyal to your university, and thankful for the education you are receiving. I really enjoyed this aspect of my time in the US and when I read about the chance to perform similar activities at Murdoch I jumped at it. Being a vet trust ambassador provides me with an opportunity to give something back to the veterinary school that is allowing me to achieve my goals of becoming a vet surgeon. It allows me to meet a wide range of interesting people and share with them my experience at vet school and show them around our great facilities. However, I think one of the best parts is our individual projects; each student decides on a project that will benefit the vet school and we are then supported in running this project. Mine has focussed on collecting parent and partner contact details from students so that I am able to send bi-annual newsletters, invitations to milestone event and generally show appreciation for the support they provide their student. I have received great feedback about this program and this makes the volunteering even more rewarding.

Joel Huang – 3rd Year Student
I am privileged to be part of the Veterinary Trust as an ambassador. Being involved in the Vet Trust allows me to contribute back to the vet school in a meaningful way. As a vet trust ambassador, not only do I get a chance to help out in vet trust events but it also allows me to come up with projects that will benefit my peers and the vet school. I am currently helping out in various projects and events that the vet trust organises, and will also be initiating a new project for subsequent graduating classes in 2013. My time as an ambassador has provided me with the opportunity to meet new people at vet trust events, and the chance to network with people in related industries which I am sure would prove useful after graduation. I will strongly encourage any vet students who wants an opportunity to get involved in the veterinary school to join the vet trust.

Kerri Jurgens – 2nd Year Student
I wanted to be a veterinarian for most of my life, and after looking at different universities in Australia that offered the course, I decided on Murdoch university not only because I enjoyed living in Western Australia, but because I had heard many good things about Murdoch’s Veterinary Science course, in terms of what was offered and what was achieved in terms of education. I chose to become a Veterinary Trust Ambassador because I thought it would be a good way to get involved in my School in a way that not only benefited me, but also benefited my peers and the School overall. I also saw that it was a good way to have more interaction with the general public as a veterinary student, and also, in the future, as a veterinarian, which is important to me and, I feel, to the profession as well.

Samson Lui – 4th Year Student
I'm a Year 4 Vet student and I'm very pleased to be part of the Vet Trust Ambassador program. I have been assisting in some of the Vet school activities including the charity dog wash and the third year clinic coat ceremony. During this term of my position, I will be helping out with the existing projects as well as the development of future Vet Trust projects. 

Chloe Roberts – 2nd Year Student
I am currently studying my second year of the vet degree here at Murdoch. I am a country girl at heart, growing up in Kadina, South Australia. I moved to Perth in 2010 to begin study and have loved every minute since. Murdoch is a great place to study, provides plenty of hands-on experiences, so much support and I have made great friends along the way. I look forward to another 3 years of study here. I have a keen interest in equine medicine and am secretary of the Equine Interest Group at Murdoch.

I have been involved in the Murdoch University Veterinary Trust as an ambassador for 2 years. I first became involved in the trust as a way to meet new people and as an opportunity to give something back to the amazing veterinary school we have here and to share it with the public. Since then I have been involved in numerous school tours, assisting at important events and have this year overtaken the Caring for Pets program. During my remaining time at University I hope to share the Caring for Pets program with a greater number of clinics, and raise more funds for important companion animal research.