Bob Doneley

Honorary Speaker

Dr Bob Doneley graduated from the University of Queensland in 1982 and worked in veterinary practices in Bundaberg, Brisbane, Toowoomba and the UK before opening his own practice, the West Toowoomba Veterinary Surgery, in Toowoomba in 1988.

His interest in bird medicine was initially developed shortly after graduation when he was asked to give a talk to the Bundaberg Budgerigar Association and realised that he had been taught virtually nothing on this subject while a student. He pursued this interest through private study, visiting colleagues, and attending conferences.

He was awarded his Fellowship of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists (FANZCVS) in 2003, becoming Queensland’s first specialist in bird medicine, the third in Australia. In the same year he was awarded the College Prize by the Australian College for outstanding contributions to veterinary science in Australia.

In 2010 he sold his practice after 22 years to take up the position of Head of Small Animal Services, Veterinary Medical Centre at the University of Queensland’s Gatton campus. He is now an Associate Professor and Head of the Avian and Exotic Pet Service, a specialist bird practice, as well as treating reptiles, small mammals and wildlife. In 2015 he was awarded the Meritorious Service Award by the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists. In 2018 he was awarded the prestigious T.J. Lafeber Avian Practitioner of the Year by the Association of Avian Veterinarians.

He is currently on the Board of Directors of the Australian Veterinary Association and is the Vice-President of the AVA.

He lectures to both veterinary and veterinary technology students on bird and exotic animal medicine, has published two textbooks on bird medicine (one of which has been translated into German, Turkish and Chinese, and was re-published as a second edition in 2016), written and edited a text on reptile medicine and surgery, as well as chapters for seven other textbooks and has published numerous papers in veterinary journals.