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Page 10 %u2013 Australian Pork Newspaper, February 2025 www.porknews.com.auIN recognition of his exceptional contribution to the veterinary and tertiary education sectors, Dr Kit Parke was awarded life membership of the Queensland Pig Consultancy Group at the annual general meeting held in December 2024. This award was testament to Kit%u2019s decades of service to the pig industry and his enduring influence on both the academic and practical aspects of veterinary science.Kit%u2019s journey with the QPCG began at its inception in 1993, when a small group of industry professionals gathered with a shared mission to create a forum for the exchange of views, knowledge and experiences. As one of the group%u2019s founding members, chair from 1998-2002 and regular committee member, Kit has played an important role in shaping the influence of QPCG and the benefits it imparts to pig producers in Queensland and beyond.In the early days of his career, Kit worked in rural veterinary practices in Roma and Dalby, Queensland. In 1983, he moved to Atherton in north Queensland to take on the role of veterinary officer with the Queensland Department of Primary Industries. His principal responsibility was tackling the eradication of tuberculosis and brucellosis from extensive beef cattle herds in the region, an important project for Queensland%u2019s beef industry.It was in Atherton and through his interactions with local pig producers that Kit developed an interest in pig health and production %u2013 a field that would soon become his true calling. This new interest led him to pursue a Master of Science degree at James Cook University in Townsville researching porcine parvovirus.In 1990, Kit%u2019s career took another step when he was transferred by the DPI to Toowoomba. There he continued his work with the pig industry, investigating antimicrobial residues in pig meat. His involvement in the development of the %u2018Do it right%u2019 pig medication program %u2013 which was adopted nationwide %u2013 led to improved medication practices across the industry. He coordinated the Queensland arm of the national Pig Health Monitoring Scheme, an initiative that brought together producers, veterinarians and researchers in the shared goal of improving pig health.After leaving the DPI in 1995, Kit transitioned to the corporate sector as a technical sales representative for Elanco Animal Health. In 1998, with strong support from pig producers on the Darling Downs, Kit launched his own veterinary practice, which would serve as the foundation for future ventures.In 2004, Kit expanded his horizons by going into partnership with colleagues from the pig industry to create IAS Management Services and Techvet Animal Health. This was a time of further growth, with Kit taking on additional responsibilities as an APIQ auditor and facilitator. He also began teaching part-time at the University of Queensland%u2019s School of Veterinary Science, a role that would grow to become a central part of his career in the years to come.In 2008, Kit took the leap into full-time academia at UQ, a position he held until the end of 2020. As a lecturer, Kit inspired the next generation of veterinarians, sharing not only his scientific knowledge but also his passion for veterinary science and his practical knowledge of the pork industry. Kit%u2019s contributions extended far beyond the classroom, his research initiatives took him to Vietnam, the Philippines and Timor-Leste where he worked on projects aimed at enhancing pig production for smallholder farms through research and development initiatives. By 2021, Kit found himself ready for a new challenge. He joined Scolexia, the animal and avian health consultancy, as an intensive livestock veterinarian, working alongside Dr Josh Timmer in Toowoomba. Despite this new challenge, Kit%u2019s inherent passion for teaching has not waned. He continues to teach and inspire future veterinarians, sharing his wealth of scientific and practical knowledge with students at the University of Queensland%u2019s Gatton campus and James Cook University in Townsville. In addition to his veterinary responsibilities, Kit has engaged in applied research for Scolexia, blending his scientific and practical expertise with his dedication to advancing veterinary science. 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Mycotoxin binder from Blue Pacific MineralsDr Kit Parke was awarded life membership of QPCG, pictured with the author, in recognition of his exceptional contribution to the pork industry and veterinary science.Dr Kit Parke awarded life membership of QPCG