CURRICULUM VITAE

  • Qualifications

    • Graduated from Sydney University 1978 with Honours and Prize for Equine Medicine and Surgery (BVSc)
    • 1984 Attained Membership of Australian College of Veterinary Scientists by examination in Equine Surgery (MACVSc)
    • Chartered Member of the Australian Veterinary Association CMAVA
    • Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors GAIDC

  • Career History

    • Engaged in Mixed Rural Practice (Manning Valley of NSW) and Equine Practice (Hawkesbury District) 1978 to present.
    • 1983 Travelled and worked in Equine Practice in South Africa and UK.
    • 1989 Founded Agnes Banks Equine Clinic in partnership with Dr Ian Duckworth
    • Former Managing Director of Agnes Banks Equine Clinic Pty Ltd, a 10 person Equine Referral Practice in the Hawkesbury District, with particular interests in sport and performance horses, surgery and medicine of horses and artificial breeding.
    • Consultant in Equine Veterinary Practice
    • 2014 to 2017 conducted studies on cobalt uptake and elimination in horses, in association with Ross Wenzel, Trace Metal Analytical Specialist at Royal North Shore Hospital

  • Professional Appointments

    • President, Australian Equine Veterinary Association (AEVA) 2000, and office bearer 1992 to 2003
    • AEVA delegate to the Australian Veterinary Association Therapeutic Advisory Committee to 2004
    • Australian Veterinary Association Policy Councillor 2001-3
    • Australian Veterinary Association Board Member May 2004 – 2006
    • Royal Agricultural Society of NSW official veterinary panel since 1991, Royal Agricultural Society Chief Official Veterinarian 1998 to 2007. Appointed Honorary Veterinary Advisor to RAS Council 2007.
    • Appointed Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) Chief Veterinarian (AUS) 2008 – 2014
    • Board Member of Equestrian NSW 2007 to 2017 and Chairman 2009 to 2012

  • Scientific Presentations

    • Equine Convenor of Australian Veterinary Association Annual Conference 1997
    • Co-Presenter of University of Sydney Post Graduate Foundation/AEVA prepurchase seminars around Australia (11 seminars), and co-author of AEVA Prepurchase Examination Guidelines (4th Edition)
    • Numerous presentations at professional meetings of AVA and EVA
    • Organisation and tutoring at University of Sydney Distance Education equine surgery workshops 2004-9

  • Publications

    Britton, A., et al. (2011). “Spatial association and clinical development of equine influenza in horses yarded overnight at an equestrian event at Maitland prior to propagating the 2007 epidemic in Australia.” Australian veterinary journal 89(s1): 68-69.

    Major, D. (2011). “Hygiene practices to prevent the spread of equine influenza by humans.” Australian veterinary journal 89(s1): 124-125.

    Major, D. and B. Jones (2011). “Behaviour of equine influenza virus in a naïve population: a practitioner’s perspective.” Australian veterinary journal 89(s1): 13-14.

    Schembri, M., et al. (2002). “Capacitation-like changes in equine spermatoza throughout the cryopreservation process.” Reproduction, Fertility and Development 14(4): 225-233.

    Schembri, M., et al. (2003). “Modification of standard freezing media to limit capacitation and maximise motility of frozen‐thawed equine spermatozoa.” Australian veterinary journal 81(12): 748-751.

    Young, A., et al. (2010). “CASE REPORT AND CLINICAL REVIEW: Acute lameness associated with osseous metastasis of a peri‐renal carcinoma in a horse.” Australian veterinary journal 88(9): 346-350.

    Major, D. and R. Wenzel (2016). “Commentary on Paper: “Controlling the misuse of cobalt in horses”.” Drug testing and analysis.

  • Awards

    • Equine Veterinarians Australia/ Provet-VMS Award for Excellence in 2007
    • Equestrian NSW Award for services to Showjumping 2008
    • Royal Agricultural Society Service Award 2008
    • Australian Veterinary Association Meritorious Service Award 2010
    • Equine Veterinarians Australia Services to the Horse Industry Award 2009

  • Personal Background & Appointments

    • Registered Veterinary Practitioner (NSW VPB 2055)
    • Member of Royal Agricultural Society of NSW, Hawkesbury Show Society, Hawkesbury Race Club and Equestrian New South Wales
    • Board Member of Equestrian NSW
    • Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) Veterinarian accredited in Showjumping, Dressage, Eventing, Vaulting and Endurance
    • FEI Permitted Treating Veterinarian
    • Equestrian Australia accredited Medication Control Officer
    • FEI Medication Control Program Testing Veterinarian
    • Former Thoroughbred Racehorse Owner/Trainer
    • Current Horse Trials and Showjumping Competitor
    • Owner and Breeder of Performance Horses