Local vet secures Churchill Fellowship

A LOCAL Bellarine vet is among the more than 100 Australians awarded a Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Fellowship.

The fellowship celebrates diverse Australians making a positive impact in their communities, providing an opportunity for awardees to explore international best practices across a range of topics.

Those who received the fellowship will undertake a study for up to eight weeks, exploring their passions and gathering first-hand experiences and knowledge from across the globe.

Recipient and Ocean Grove vet Alicia Kennedy has more than 35 years of experience and is the founder of Cherished Pets, supporting vulnerable community members with pets.

Ms Kennedy’s project will see her head abroad, where she will investigate organisations overseas who offer services at the intersection of veterinary and social services.

“Different fellowship projects look different and so mine is around visiting organisations, interviewing people, immersing myself in some programs overseas,” she said.

The Fellowship will also allow her to witness and speak to people who are working on the bridge between human welfare and animal welfare and veterinary services.

Ms Kennedy will head off in August next year, and upon her return will prepare a report with her findings.

“My report for the Churchill Trust is the insights and learnings that I’ve had around organisations that are working in this space overseas, what we can learn from that and what we can bring back to the Australian community, so that we have stronger social supports for pet owners who are experiencing vulnerability.”

Ms Kennedy said she felt very honoured to receive the fellowship and it was an extraordinary network of people involved.

“It is a true privilege that I’ve received one and that fuels my energy and my excitement for making the most of this opportunity.

“Each individual that I’ve met who’s received a Churchill Fellowship in 2024 just blows your mind with the work they’re doing across very diverse projects to improve Australian society.

“I really believe this is going to enrich the work we do here in Geelong and ultimately I’m really looking forward to the opportunity this is going to bring back for pet owners in Australia.”

For more information on the trust and the full list of recipients, head to churchilltrust.com.au