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Ian Bedford


Leaving the stimulating environment of Bundy High, I spent 3 years in St John’s College, UQ pretty much doing what I had done in high school. A lot of the Bundy crew where there, and constituted a fair proportion of the UQ rugby league side and Johns rowing and squash teams. Nevertheless, I managed to graduate BSc(Geol) and headed for NW Qld, the Territory and E Qld in exploration geology for Mt Isa Mines.

Vet Science looked like a suitable challenge, so left Rocky for UQ again. After the prescribed period of reverting to undergraduate status, and with a somewhat older and wiser outlook, graduated BVSc(hons1) in 1981. Off to Boonah Q where I settled into the almost insane ritual of a mixed practice along the lines of Herriot in All Creatures. Thoroughly exciting, enjoyable, frustrating period with very long days and tiring afterhours work for little recompense. Something had to give, so my thyroid blew in 1990, followed rapidly with divorce after 16 years, and partnership dissolution in the practice - quite a memorable trifecta really.

Well that little scenario called for drastic measures, so off to work and play in the Old Dart for a year in Cambridgeshire. Now believe me, that was a ball. Aussie vets are highly considered in the UK for their work ethic which is noticeably lacking in the indigenous population.

Back to reality and sunshine, I worked as a locum in Brisbane before setting up a small clinic in Iluka, NSW. I had really intended to semi-retire, fish, paint and play golf, but eventually got the bug to work again.

Joined a small animal practice in Brisbane for a couple of years, but realised that after you had speyed a thousand cats and dogs, there had to be more to life.

Joined Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) as a meatworks vet in Charleville, then to Wallangarra and finally Rocky. I can honestly say this is the best job I have had, revolving around food safety auditing to comply with Australian and overseas country requirements. Happily ensconced in Rocky with Liz (known from vet school but took us a couple of divorces to get together) and Scott the motocross legend of the future. Intend to retire to fish, golf and paint watercolours when the excitement of work wanes or an exotic animal disease hits Australia and buggers the beef industry.


Created: 3 May 2006 - Last Amended: 4 May 2006 by Roger Clarke - Site Last Verified: 15 February 2009
This document is at www.anu.edu.au/BHS66/IanBedford.html
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