Jane Axon
Featured Image: Jane Axon at work in Scone. Courtesy of Scone Equine Group.
Author’s Note: Dr Karon Hoffmann convinced us at Scone we must have a Foal Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. “You need me to run it” she instructed. Professor Anne Koterba of Florida USA had spread the gospel @ Bain-Fallon. We established the Unit and called it ‘Clovelly Stables’. Karon was outstanding and was replaced by Jane in 1999. Jane was exceptional and set the standard for what followed.
See also: https://sconevetdynasty.com.au/clovelly-stables-scone-equine-hospital-dr-karon-hoffmann/
Read on.
Jeffrey Wilkinson (EVA Jeffrey Wilkinson, BSc (Oen) MBA SSc | National Manager – Special Interest Groups) writes Saturday 24th. February 2024:
Dear EVA Executive and EVA Past Presidents,
It is with enormous sadness that I inform you that our dearly loved friend and colleague, Dr Jane Axon passed away last night.
The Scone Equine Hospital has written the following tribute and I share it with you. I also add that in 2020, Jane was the recipient of AVA’s highest recognition, The Gilruth Prize. This is the highest honour awarded each year by the AVA and represents peer recognition for many years – often a lifetime – of dedication and service of the highest degree. We have lost one of the greats. Just so sad.
With love and best wishes,
Jeffrey
See also: https://vwebmail.iinet.net.au/index.php/mail
It is with great sadness that I inform the Membership, that our dearly loved friend and colleague, Dr Jane Axon (EVA President 2008,) passed away last Friday evening.
Jane, a Life Member of EVA, Fellow of the AVA, Member of the College, Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Registered Specialist in Equine Medicine, and Gilruth Prize Winner, was a true legend of the equine veterinary profession. She was known and respected both here in Australia and internationally.
Over the course of her career, Jane brought great credit and made an immeasurable contribution to the veterinary profession. She was a dedicated clinician, a tenacious researcher, an explorer in technology transfer, an advancer of veterinary science, a teacher in post-graduate education, a mentor and hero to many, and as a leader of EVA, her professional association, of which she was a member for over 40 years.
As a clinician, Jane’s superior skill and knowledge was highly sought after. She was recognised around the country and throughout the world as an expert in her field of equine medicine and in particular, neonatal care. Jane became the Director of the Scone Equine Hospital Intensive Care Unit in 1999 and in a tribute, the Scone group said: “Her contribution to the development of Scone Equine Hospital cannot be overstated. She is one of the pillars on which it has been built.”
Jane provided superb service to AVA through her contribution to all matters of equine veterinary science, and especially AVA’s equine special interest group EVA. Becoming President Elect in 2007, the year that Equine Influenza (EI) struck the Australian herd. She supported Australian equine veterinarians with a diligence and concerted effort that was faultless. As EVA President in 2008, there was still much post EI work for EVA to attend to, and Jane saw to this with a zeal and conscientiousness that set a high standard for those to follow.
However, it is in mentorship, training and education where Jane has made some of her greatest contributions to both the AVA and the veterinary profession. Over the course of a decade, EVA’s Bain Fallon Memorial Lectures were the beneficiary of Jane’s insight, skill, and judgement. Her international experience enabled EVA to tap into her long list of prestigious and influential international colleagues as keynote speakers at Bain Fallon. Jane remained a key driving force behind EVA’s Continuing Education program to the benefit of all members. Jane was the prime mover behind introducing the EVA-supported Bain Fallon Equine Nurses Conference, which is now conducted every year. Jane’s dedication and patience have guided and shaped the careers of many equine veterinarians and nurses.
Jane was also instrumental in the establishment of EVA’s Young Member Group (YMG), aimed at welcoming veterinary students and recent graduates into the equine veterinary profession. Jane was a valuable counsel to countless young members since its inception in 2006; the YMG model has since been adopted by other national equine veterinary associations in several countries such as the United Kingdom, South Africa and New Zealand.
The AVA recognised Jane’s brilliant contribution when, in 2020, she was presented with the Gilruth Prize. The Gilruth is the highest honour awarded by the AVA and represents peer recognition for many years – often a lifetime – of dedication and service at the highest level.
Our thoughts are with Jane’s husband Dr Bill Marmion, her family, her friends, the EVA community, and all those who knew her across the diverse facets of her life. She was loved by many people in many places. We have lost one of the greats.
Vale Jane.
With love and best wishes to all.
Jeffrey Wilkinson
EVA Executive Officer
Jane’s funeral service will be held in Adelaide this Saturday morning, 2nd March at 11.30am, at The Heysen, Centennial Park, Goodwood Rd, Pasadena. Please dress casually, as Jane would have liked. Jane requested that in lieu of flowers, a donation be made in her name to the Australian Wildlife Conservancy. For any more information, you can contact the Funeral Director, Ruth Mains at White Lady Funerals on phone 08 8371 1040 or mobile 0488 744 812.
This service will be live streamed at the link below from 11.15am on Saturday. This is a public event, no PIN is required. You can also use this link to watch the service afterwards. |
|
|
|
|
Dear All
It is with great sadness that I have to let you know that Jane Axon passed away last night.
We have lost a friend, a colleague, a mentor, and an inspiration.
Our thoughts are with her family, her friends, the equine and veterinary communities, and all those who knew her across the diverse facets her life.
She was loved by many people in many places.
Jane came to Scone in 1999 to take up the role of Director of the Scone Equine Hospital Intensive Care Unit at Clovelly Stables.
From the moment she walked in the door, she was an in integral part of the practice and over the past 25 years, she has remained a loyal friend, part of our team and one of us.
Her contribution to the development of Scone Equine Hospital cannot be overstated. She is one of the pillars on which it has been built.
Jane’s knowledge, dedication to her patients and clients and her determination were known by everyone in the Hunter equine and Australian veterinary communities.
She was recognised around the country and throughout the world as an expert in her field of equine medicine and in particular, neonatal care.
Jane’s dedication and patience have guided and shaped the careers of many equine veterinarians and touched the lives of many people.
A humble soul who made the most of every opportunity she was given, she strove to always do her personal best and to help others take their opportunities.
Those of us who knew her, worked with her, and loved her consider ourselves very fortunate that she was part of our lives.
An example and an inspiration to us all.
We miss her already.
Vale Jane
Cameron Collins BVSc MANZCVS MRCVS GAICD
Managing Director
Scone Equine Hospital
106 Liverpool Street Scone NSW 2337 | PO Box 280 Scone NSW 2337