Joe Schmidt

Joe grew up in Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory on the family farm surrounded by animals, leading to his desire to pursue a career as a Veterinarian.  Joe graduated from Murdoch University in Western Australia with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science, Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery and worked in private practice before commencing with the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service’s (AQIS) Northern Australian Quarantine Strategy.
 
I worked 15 years in mixed private practice in Darwin, and with my wife provided Community Dog Programs in remote Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory for two years prior to my employment with the AQIS’s Northern Australian Quarantine Strategy (NAQS).
 
NAQS is an exotic disease and pest surveillance and capacity building program under the umbrella of AQIS, covering the North Australian coastline from Cairns to Broome, the area of operation in broken up into three regions QLD, NT, and WA.

I’m the Principle Veterinary Officer for (NAQS) in the Darwin region and have been in this position for since June 2006. I am proud to say that NAQS have a strong relationship with Indigenous communities and ranger groups, with a deep understanding of cultural sensitivities and issues, we operate in and have access to area of Aboriginal lands and seas directly as a result of our friendships built on respect and trust

My duties involve organising and conducting field surveillance work in Northern Australia and overseas (PNG) specifically surveying for exotic diseases of livestock. I contribute technical advice on refinements to the conduct of NAQS survey activity, prepare technical and financial reports of all activities, provide technical advice  contributing to the risk analysis of areas of NAQS responsibility with regard to the threat of entry and establishment of serious exotic diseases of livestock.
 
Being of Aboriginal decent and the first Aboriginal and Torres Islander Veterinarian in Australia, I am well aware of my responsibilities as a role model for Indigenous people, this is very important to me especially here in the Northern Territory, my role with the NAQS program gives me great opportunity to encourage Indigenous people to strive to be their best.
 
I have a vested personal and professional interest in education and skill development of Indigenous ranger groups and have trained groups of 10-20 rangers from the Queensland to the WA border, focusing on Post-mortem techniques, blood collection, exotic animal disease awareness, and general public health.

The passive surveillance provided by these groups and communities with respect to exotic pests and diseases is extremely important to AQIS Nationally.
 
I have coordinated and implemented the first Indigenous managed sentinel cattle herd in the Northern Territory, which has been a major focus for me both personally and professionally as I have put my heart and soul into achieving this.

I have a fulfilling job in NAQS and hope to continue contributing to Australia's Biosecurity and assisting Indigenous people to be their best, through this program.