Kate Wood-Foye - Business Illuminate

Illuminate

with KATEWOOD-FOYE

THE GUTS, GRIT AND GROUNDWORK OF REMARKABLE REGIONAL ENTREPRENEURS, INNOVATORS, LEADERS AND GAME CHANGERS.

Jasmine PENGELLY

EAST PORT VETERINARY CLINIC

Jasmine Pengelly is known to many in our region as a to many in our region as a passionate vet nurse caring passionate vet nurse caring for our beloved fur family for our beloved fur family members at the East Port members at the East Port Veterinary Clinic. This Senior Veterinary Clinic. This Senior Veterinary Nurse also Veterinary Nurse also continues to work tirelessly continues to work tirelessly at a national level to mentor, at a national level to mentor, champion and elevate her champion and elevate her peers and her industry. peers and her industry.

Jasmine's journey from a voluntary role after primary school “helping out” in a Camden Haven vet clinic, to treating big cats at Taronga Zoo and her recent role as President of the Veterinary Nurses Council of Australia is a testament to her true love of animals. Jasmine now speaks globally to inspire, and secure recognition for vet nurses and the pivotal role these clinical practioners play in practices in Australia and New Zealand.

Jasmine you are completely passionate about animal care, your patients and their families. Can you share the journey from your fi rst time in a vet clinic to lecturing on the global stage in Hong Kong, and as President of the Veterinary Nurses Council of Australia (VNCA)?

At the age of 11 after taking my guinea pig to CamVet, I advised my Mum I would love to help out at the vets as I was interested in caring for animals, she encouraged me to head back over and ask if I could come in after school, and the rest is history! I went to the vet clinic three days a week after school and in school holidays. As soon as I was old enough I

As soon as I was old enough I worked the Saturday morning shi as a worked the Saturday morning shift as a junior nurse continuing throughout high school. junior nurse continuing I am forever grateful throughout high school. for that amazing start I am forever grateful for to my career. I moved that amazing start to to Sydney to study and my career. after my fi rst year was lucky to become an internal medicine nurse at the Sydney University Veterinary Teaching Hospital and later became the Nursing Manager. I met some key people who encouraged me to start lecturing veterinary nurses and

My key focus during the last 13 years has been to promote veterinary nurses as skilled professionals with to join the VNCA, much to o er practices, which became career pet owners and the altering. After a move veterinary industry. to Canberra I joined the ACT Division of the VNCA and ended up state president. During my time in Sydney and Canberra I was given many opportunities to speak nationally at conferences and workshops sharing my passion for veterinary nursing with others. We moved back to Port Macquarie with a young family and I was elected to the Board of the VNCA in 2015, with a vision to facilitate change in our industry. In 2018 I was invited to speak in Hong Kong at the International Veterinary Nurses Conference, and have recently completed two years as the President of the Veterinary Nurses Council of Australia.

Your many roles with the VNCA have been key in inspiring and supporting other vet nurses. What was your focus and how did this innovate practice in your industry?

My key focus during the last 13 years has been to promote veterinary nurses as skilled professionals with much to offer practices, pet owners and the veterinary industry. I have participated in reviews of our national qualifi cation (Certifi cate IV in Veterinary Nursing) as both a technical advisor and industry representative where the VNCA advocates for skill recognition and standardised training and assessment of VNs throughout the country – getting the education right is a huge step towards professionalisation. As chair of the professional advancement committee of the VNCA, we developed and launched the Australian Veterinary Nurse and Technician Registration Scheme which encourages all veterinary nurses to voluntarily register, and demonstrate standards in both education, continued learning and commitment to their chosen career. Registration of veterinary nurses has been a lifelong dream come true and I am very much looking forward to working on legislation change to have this move from voluntary to mandatory.

Raising awareness for the Mental Health of veterinary nurses is one of your passions – what is currently happening in this high pressure industry and how can this be changed?

Recently the industry has faced a mental health crisis with many leaving due to burn out or compassion fatigue – suicide rates in our industry are much higher than any other. High stress and long hours and on call shifts for many add to the pressures. Challenges regarding the mismatch between client expectations vs the reality of the costs of veterinary care is a major issue – sadly there is no medicare for our industry however we are expected to provide all the services of a human hospital. Changing the mind set of clients can be helpful, and ensuring a good work life balance and workplace culture are really great places to start in helping reduce the impact on veterinary staff.

You have recently commenced a new role with the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council (AVBC) – can you tell us about the organisation and what you hope to achieve with your colleagues?

I was successfully appointed to the Sustainable Practice Committee of the AVBC, as the only veterinary nurse amongst vets from Aus/NZ. Our main focus is improving the awareness of the role veterinary nurses play within the veterinary health care team, increasing utilisation and awareness of veterinary nurses’ skills and advocating for regulation of veterinary nurses, with a view to change the legislation in each of the states. It’s a huge job, but it is something I want to see happen in my lifetime and I’m delighted to be given an opportunity to work on this project. Thanks Jasmine.

GREATER PORT MACQUARIE BUSINESS AWARDS

HALL OF FAME

This year we extend our sincere congratulations to 7 inductees into our “Hall of Fame”

Entry to the “Hall of Fame” is granted to any business who wins awards in 4 consecutive years or 5 awards over the lifetime of the awards.

Winners are recognised as Hall of Fame inductees for 2 years, and can take a little break as they are ineligible to enter for the 2021 and 2022 awards.

Last year Bennetts Steel, CS Mechanical, FastPlast Building Supplies, Cassegrain Wines, Port Macquarie Performing Arts, MBC Recruitment and Touchwood Flowers qualifi ed and joined the Hall of Fame!

Please join us in congratulating these outstanding local businesses!

This year we’re looking forward to celebrating our Hall of Fame inductees, and all of the other Businesses in our region who have prevailed and prospered despite some fairly unusual circumstances over the last two years.

Entries for the 2021 awards are now closed, and judging is underway.

Our Gala Celebration event will be held in the Auditorium at Panthers on Saturday July 31. Tickets will be on sale via our website portchamber. com.au on Monday June 28. Don’t delay; we’ve had a huge number of entries for this year’s awards and these tickets will go fast!

Major Sponsor TICKETS ON SALE NOW