The Trevor Blackburn Award

(Trevor and Mary Blackburn)

This new Award was instigated by the BVA’s Overseas Group in 2006 in memory of Mr J Trevor Blackburn, President of the BVA 1984-85, the Commonwealth Veterinary Association 1988-91 and the World Veterinary Association 1991-95.   In so doing, the Group was mindful of the countless numbers of British veterinary surgeons who have served overseas, especially in the Tropics, over at last two centuries.  Many of those in the earlier days were in the colonial service or, later, worked with government departments or aid organisations in newly independent countries. 

All contributed to the control of livestock disease and the raising of standards of animal and human health.  The situation today is rather different.  British veterinary surgeons do live and work overseas but many are “volunteers” and often sacrifice much in order to contribute to animal health and environmental needs in other, less fortunate, parts of the world.  Often their altruism does not receive the acclaim it deserves.  The Trevor Blackburn Award, named after a colleague who believed passionately that the profession still has so much to offer, provides an opportunity to recognise some of these people.

2007 Award - Professor John E Cooper

The Overseas Group was delighted to name John Cooper as the recipient of the 2007 Trevor Blackburn Award in recognition of his many contributions in the field of animal health and welfare in developing countries.  Currently working as Professor of Veterinary Pathology at the University of the West Indies, Trinidad, John is a specialist pathologist with particular interests in wildlife and exotic species, tropical diseases and comparative medicine. 

The Overseas Group's citation for John can be read here.

John with a group of students at a workshop in Kenya.

2006 Award - Jack Reece

Jack was the winner of the first Trevor Blackburn Award in 2006.  The Overseas Group’s citation for Jack can be read here. 

Jack Reece receiving his Award at BVA in December 2006. 
Left to right:  Jack Reece, Mary Blackburn, Laura Bowen, David Catlow.

The winner of the 2008 Award will be announced at BVA Congress.

The invitation for nominations for the 2009 Award will open in October.