EVA – Equine Veterinarians Australia: History, Role & Bain Fallon Lectures

Equine Veterinarians Australia (EVA) is the peak professional body representing equine veterinarians in Australia.

Founded in 1971 as a special interest group of the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA), EVA provides continuing professional development (CPD), professional advocacy, clinical resources, and community support for veterinarians working with horses nationwide.

EVA operates as a special interest group of the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA), representing the equine profession nationally.

The Equine Veterinarians Australia connects clinicians, researchers, industry, and government, ensuring that equine health and welfare in Australia remain at the highest standard. Its flagship event, the Bain Fallon Memorial Lectures, has become the largest equine veterinary conference in the southern hemisphere.

A Brief History of EVA

EVA was formed in 1971, at a time when the Australian veterinary profession was expanding and equine practice was becoming more specialised.

As a special interest group within the AVA, the EVA gave equine vets a clear voice in national discussions while creating a professional identity of its own.

Over the decades, Equine Veterinarians Australia has launched its own journal, built strong connections with equine organisations across the country, and created educational events that attract international audiences.

Its mission remains consistent: to advance equine veterinary medicine and support the veterinarians who dedicate their careers to horses.

What EVA Does Today

EVA is central to equine practice in Australia, offering:

• Continuing Education & Events – including the annual Bain Fallon Memorial Lectures, workshops, webinars, and practical training sessions.
• Journal: The Australian Equine Veterinarian (AEV) – a peer-reviewed biannual publication featuring clinical reports, case studies, and updates relevant to practitioners.
• Apps & Tools – such as EVA Equine Forms (for pre-purchase exams, Hendra exclusion, and dental exams) and EVA Equine Techniques (a reference app of clinical procedures).
• Awards & Recognition – EVA celebrates excellence through awards at Bain Fallon, including the Patricia Ellis Award and Jane Axon Award.
• Student Engagement – The Australian Association supports the next generation of vets with prizes at universities, such as the EVA Prize at James Cook University.
• Advocacy & Representation – EVA works closely with government, industry, and horse owners to ensure equine welfare remains a national priority.

Bain Fallon Memorial Lectures: EVA’s Flagship Event

The Bain Fallon Memorial Lectures, held annually in July, are the highlight of EVA’s calendar.

Next Congress: 19–23 July 2026 (46th Bain Fallon Memorial Lectures)
City: Melbourne, Australia (Pullman Melbourne Albert Park)

What it is:
The largest equine veterinary CPD event in the Southern Hemisphere.

Who attends:
Bain Fallon consistently attracts 250–270+ equine veterinarians from Australia and overseas and features 50+ exhibitors in a sell-out trade exhibition.

Who Bain Fallon Is For

• Full-time equine clinicians
• Practice owners
• Early-career vets building confidence
• Vets seeking one high-value CPD week instead of fragmented learning

What’s included:
International and Australian speakers, practical wet labs, workshops, and a major trade exhibition. The consistently sold-out exhibition gives delegates direct access to the latest diagnostics, therapeutics, and services – without chasing representatives or booking additional meetings.

Beyond the lectures, Bain Fallon is about community.

It’s where veterinarians reconnect, explore innovations, and share experiences in a collaborative environment. With dedicated social events, workshops, and shared meals built into the program, Bain Fallon is designed to create conversations – not just deliver lectures.

For many Australian equine veterinarians, Bain Fallon is the one week each year where education, networking, and the wider profession come together in one place.

Why Bain Fallon Feels Different

Bain Fallon isn’t just another conference added to an already busy CPD calendar. It’s designed to bring everything together in one focused week.

For equine veterinarians, that matters.

Instead of spreading learning, networking, and industry updates across multiple events and months, Bain Fallon creates a single point in the year where the profession comes together. Clinical education, practical workshops, industry conversations, and social connection all happen in the same place, at the same time.

What makes it feel different is the environment. Conversations don’t stop when lectures finish – they continue in workshops, over coffee, during social events, and throughout the exhibition hall.

It’s where ideas are tested, experiences are shared, and professional relationships are strengthened, often just as much outside the lecture theatre as inside it.

For many equine veterinarians, Bain Fallon is the one week each year that delivers both high-level education and a genuine sense of professional community.

2026 Location & Venue: Designed for Busy Clinicians

Bain Fallon 2026 will be held at the Pullman Melbourne Albert Park, a venue chosen specifically for its convenience and ability to keep everything under one roof.

For delegates, this means:

• On-site accommodation across the Pullman and Mercure towers
• Lecture theatres, workshops, exhibition, and social events all in the same location
• No daily travel between venues
• Easy access to Melbourne’s CBD, airport links, and major transport routes

For busy veterinarians, this setup removes friction. Delegates can move from their rooms to sessions, workshops, or networking events without losing time or energy navigating a city or juggling logistics.

The venue strikes a balance between focus and comfort – allowing equine veterinarians to fully engage with the program while still enjoying the atmosphere of Melbourne, one of Australia’s most vibrant cities.

EVA Events in 2026: What’s Ahead for Equine Veterinarians

Each year, Equine Veterinarians Australia delivers a full calendar of high-quality continuing education, hands-on workshops, and community events for equine practitioners across Australia.

The 2026 program reflects EVA’s commitment to practical, clinically relevant CPD – from foundational skills for new graduates to advanced workshops with world-renowned specialists.

Below is a snapshot of EVA’s confirmed 2026 events:

February 2026

19–21 February – Workshop, Rooty Hill (NSW)
EVA & ISELP Foot & Pastern Workshop with Prof. Jean-Marie Denoix
A rare opportunity for vets to learn directly from one of the world’s most respected musculoskeletal specialists, with deep focus on biomechanics, clinical examination, and advanced diagnostics.

March 2026

14–15 March – Workshop, UQ Gatton (QLD)
Foundational Skills for New Graduates
Designed to build confidence and competence in early-career vets or those returning to equine practice.

21–31 March – Autumn State Meetings
Colic – Dr Alex Gillan
A state-based clinical update bringing practical colic management teaching to practitioners nationwide.

May 2026

19 May – Social Event, Brisbane
Equine & Dine
A relaxed social gathering bringing together veterinarians, colleagues, and industry partners.

18–21 May – AVA Conference, Brisbane
Equine Veterinarians Australia participates in the national AVA Conference with equine-specific sessions, speakers, and networking opportunities.

July 2026

18–19 July – Workshop, Melbourne
Bain Fallon Neck & Back Workshop
A hands-on training stream leading into Bain Fallon week.

19–23 July – Bain Fallon Memorial Lectures, Melbourne
46th Bain Fallon Memorial Lectures
The largest equine veterinary CPD event in the southern hemisphere – bringing together leading experts, practical wet labs, a major trade exhibition, and hundreds of practitioners from Australia and abroad. Attendance contributes toward annual CPD requirements for equine veterinarians.

How EVA Connects to BEVA

EVA is part of the wider global equine-vet community through its links with the World Equine Veterinary Association (WEVA) and collaborations with national associations such as NZEVA (NZ) and JSES (Japan). If you’re already a member of Equine Veterinarians Australia, you may also be eligible for BEVA Affiliate Membership, which provides discounted access to BEVA’s journals, CPD library, webinars, and BEVA Congress rates.

If you’re already a member of EVA (through your AVA membership), you may also be eligible for BEVA Affiliate Membership, which provides discounted access to BEVA’s journals, CPD library, webinars, and reduced BEVA Congress rates.

Learn more about BEVA Affiliate Membership →

Why EVA Matters to Equine Vets

Whether you are based in Australia or overseas, EVA offers:

• World-class CPD tailored to equine practice.
• Research and publications through The Australian Equine Veterinarian.
• Practical tools and apps designed for daily use in practice.
• Recognition and awards to highlight contributions to the profession.
• A supportive community linked into the global equine veterinary network.

EVA (Equine Veterinarians Australia) – Frequently Asked Questions

What does EVA stand for?

EVA stands for Equine Veterinarians Australia, the national professional body representing veterinarians who work with horses in Australia.

Is EVA part of the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA)?

Yes. Equine Veterinarians Australia (EVA) operates as a special interest group of the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA), representing the interests of equine veterinarians within the broader Australian veterinary profession.

Who can become a member of EVA?

EVA membership is available to veterinarians with an interest in equine practice through their Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) membership. This includes students, recent graduates, and experienced practitioners working across all areas of equine veterinary medicine.

What is the Bain Fallon Memorial Lectures?

The Bain Fallon Memorial Lectures are EVA’s flagship annual conference and the largest equine veterinary CPD event in the southern hemisphere, featuring international and Australian speakers, practical workshops, wet labs, and a major trade exhibition.

When are the Bain Fallon Memorial Lectures usually held?

The Bain Fallon Memorial Lectures are typically held annually in July and rotate between major Australian cities.

Do Bain Fallon Memorial Lectures count toward CPD?

Yes. Attendance at the Bain Fallon Memorial Lectures contributes toward continuing professional development (CPD) requirements for equine veterinarians.

Is EVA relevant to veterinarians outside Australia?

Yes. While Equine Veterinarians Australia represents equine veterinarians in Australia, its educational events – particularly the Bain Fallon Memorial Lectures – attract international delegates, and its publications and resources are widely referenced by equine practitioners abroad.

Join Our Community

We already have a strong community of Australian equine veterinarians among our subscribers, alongside colleagues from South Africa, the UK, and beyond.

If you would like to join this network, meet like-minded professionals, and connect with the wider equine veterinary community, now is the perfect time to get involved.

Together with EVA, you’ll gain access to professional support, practical resources, and a global community committed to advancing equine medicine.

This article was prepared by the team at The Equine Practice Company, which supports equine veterinarians globally through advanced CPD programmes, clinical education, and long-form professional training.