Welcome to the GOVAs.
The GOVAs – GapOnly® Veterinary Awards – return in 2026 to celebrate excellence across the Australian veterinary sector, and nominations are now open.
Hosted by political satirist Mark Humphries and featuring special guest speaker Celeste Barber, the 2026 event offers authentic connections, big laughs and heartfelt recognition.
For our second year, we’re proud to debut new award categories that honour those shaping the future of the profession through guidance and education, as well as showcase the outstanding work being done in both metro and regional vet clinics.
Once again, we’ll highlight the outstanding achievements of women in the profession with the special Woman Veterinarian of the Year award, as well as provide a powerful platform for the country’s veterinary professionals to connect and celebrate.
The 2026 GOVAs will be held on Friday, 6 March against the sweeping Sydney Harbour views of Pyrmont’s Doltone House. Register your interest in the event below and prepare for the veterinary industry’s night of nights.
Award Categories.
Knowledge hub
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Awards evening
Friday 6 March 2026
Doltone House, Jones Bay Wharf, Pyrmont, Sydney NSW
Raise a glass and enjoy a seated meal with curated entertainment.
Scroll down to register your interest for complimentary event tickets.
Special guest speaker
Celeste Barber, Australia’s queen of relatable comedy, social media phenomenon and passionate advocate for everyday heroes, will feature in a headline interview-style comedy session. Together with host Mark Humphries, she’ll deliver a fresh, funny and emotionally resonant take on what it means to care, to lead and to laugh through life’s chaos – all tailored to the veterinary world.
Master of Ceremonies
Returning for the GOVAs’ second year as MC, Mark is an Australian satirist and comedian renowned for his incisive political satire and engaging media presence. He has served as the resident satirist on ABC’s 7.30 and hosted the quiz show Pointless. In July 2024, Humphries began hosting The 6.57pm News, a weekly satirical segment airing every Friday at the end of Seven’s 6 pm bulletins nationally.
A night to remember.
Held for the first time in March 2025, the inaugural GOVAs made a strong impression on the industry. Over 180 vets, nurses, decision-makers and change agents gathered amid an elegant and intimate atmosphere of live music, entertaining guest speakers and emotional connections. The evening was a true celebration of the vet world’s positive achievements.
Over 100 submissions were received across four categories – so much so that we’ve expanded to six categories for this year’s event. Each nomination reflects the unwavering commitment of the professionals and teams who work tirelessly to improve the lives of pets and their people.
Congratulations to our 2025 winners.
Woman Veterinarian of the Year
Dr Elizabeth Thrift (The Pet Specialists)
“I’ve never felt seen like this in my 20 years in practice. It’s more than an award – it’s recognition of who we are and why we do this work.”
Veterinary Practice of the Year
Wagga Wagga Veterinary Hospital
SafetyNet PetAssist™ Community Service
RSPCA NSW Hunter Veterinary Hospital
Veterinary Team Member of the Year
Ashleigh McIntosh (Greencross Vets Lawnton)
Register your interest
to attend the 2026 awards evening.
GOVA. Privacy Policy and Consent.
We take privacy seriously and comply with the Australian Privacy Principles (APP) under the Privacy Act 1988.
See Collection Notice (APP 5) for information on how we handle personal information.
Consent: Please ensure you have the nominee’s permission to share their contact details before submitting.
Use of Information: Contact details will only be used for purposes related to the awards process, such as notifying nominees or requesting additional information.
Data Protection: All submitted data will be stored securely and only accessible by the awards team.
Rights: Nominees and nominators can request access to or removal of their data at any time by contacting [email protected]
Terms & Conditions apply, click here to view.