Local vet wins THIS IS FREMANTLE Aspire Award

A local vet and leader in animal health wellbeing and technology has been awarded the THIS IS FREMANTLE Aspire Award 2021.

In partnership with Business Events Perth, the THIS IS FREMANTLE Aspire Award provides a $5000 scholarship to assist the winner’s personal and professional development through the attendance at an overseas conference of their choice when international travel resumes.

This year’s winner, Dr Garnett Hall, is a veterinary surgeon with 15 years of experience with small animals, dairy, beef and horses. Along with his wife Dr Sally Hall, Dr Hall owns the Fremantle Animal Hospital in Ellen Street.

In July 2021, Dr Hall launched the ‘Pet Friendly Freo’ campaign that saw over 100 local businesses sign up to improve the social inclusion of pets in Fremantle.

In February 2021, he led a major disaster response veterinary team that fought to save animals caught in the Wooroloo bushfires. Last year, he also travelled to Kangaroo Island to provide emergency care for hundreds of injured animals caught in fires.

Back in 2019, he founded the Perth-based start-up VetChip that developed implantable biosensors for animals, working to commercialise the world’s first implantable health monitors for dogs.

Dr Hall said he would be using this award to attend the Singapore Vet Show, the largest annual veterinary conference in the Southern Hemisphere, offering attendees up to 55 hours of Continuing Professional Education (CPE).

“I’m incredibly thankful to be able to attend the Singapore Vet Show in 2022. Travelling anywhere feels special at the moment, but the chance to attend such an internationally renowned conference is even better,” Dr Hall said.

“It will give me the opportunity to learn from the brightest minds in the veterinary field, hear about new techniques and procedures, and network with colleagues from across the globe that I haven’t been able to see in years.

“I am so happy that I can continue to care for our pets through the Fremantle Animal Hospital, and incredibly excited for the opportunity to travel abroad and bring skills, knowledge and passion back to our beautiful city.”

Fremantle Mayor Hannah Fitzhardinge said the Aspire Award was a great way to showcase Fremantle innovators.

“This award is a fantastic way for us to support our star local professionals to not only continue their professional development, but also to showcase the innovative work taking place in Fremantle,” Mayor Fitzhardinge said.

“I wish Dr Hall all the best at the Singapore Vet Show next year and look forward to attracting this type of event to our City in the not-to-distant future, after our borders open.”

Business Events Perth Chief Executive Gareth Martin said he was thrilled to be supporting Dr Hall to attend the Singapore Vet Show, where he would have an opportunity showcase his expertise and innovation on a global platform, network with likeminded professionals, and explore new avenues for collaboration, trade and innovation into Western Australia.

“The research and developments coming out of Western Australia, such Dr Hall’s incredible VetChip technology, show that our State is truly an incubator for knowledge, and Business Events Perth’s Aspire Awards provide opportunities each year for our brightest minds to showcase this knowledge on a global platform,” Mr Martin said.

“In-person attendance at business events provides opportunities for career and professional development that are invaluable, and we are honoured to be supporting Dr Hall and his work through the Aspire Awards.”

The THIS IS FREMANTLE Aspire Award covers travel, accommodation and event registration expenses.

Entry is open to all not-for-profit incorporated association members in the mining and resources, health, education, science and technology, business, environment and heritage, retail, and arts and culture industries, who either work or reside in the City of Fremantle.