EQUINE | SAEVA 2020 Speech
Gala Dinner Speech
by Prof James Gilkerson. Spirit of SAEVA Award.
I find myself in an unusual position tonight. I work at the University of Melbourne and my job is to stand in front
of large groups of people and talk to them, but as a Professor of Microbiology I usually talk to them about... well,
about... microbiology stuff, so this is a big change for me. But I reminded myself that change is the only constant
in Iife, and we should at least try to embrace change and not fear it. So, here I am. More than a Iittle nervous about
speaking here tonight and I hope you forgive me for any shortcomings I might have as an after-dinner speaker, as
this is my first time in the role.
My confidence was boosted though when I met up with Chris Reardon, my colleague from Queensland, who I
have known for nearly 25 years. Chris asked why I was coming to SAEVA, and when I told him I was the after-dinner
speaker, he was "thrilled". So, my confidence shot arrived at OR Tambo and Terry picked me up and I
asked if we could stop on the way here so I could buy some sandpaper, because that seems to be what
inexperienced Aussies do when they come to South Africa.
Frankly, I was more than a little surprised when Terry called to ask me to speak here tonight. I said that I had been
called many things in my life, many of which I can’t repeat here [my favourite was “the face of herpes”], but for
certain “after-dinner speaker” did not make the list.
I reminded him that many people find me unpalatable and asked if he was certain that it was best for me to speak
straight after people have eaten? Terry was his usual confident self and told me that I would be doing him a big
favour (from which I gathered that he had already asked a bunch of people who were not available to do the job
tonight - and that I was his last resort). I thought about some other after-dinner speakers I have heard at conferences
previously. I remember a couple of years ago in this venue listening to Mick Goss speak with smooth erudition about
his life and his involvement in the SA horse industry and I thought to myself, “Well....l can’t do that”.
So, then I thought about the other entertaining after-dinner speakers I have heard and the best of those was Eric
Rush, the former All Black and Sevens Rugby legend (bloody All-Blacks do everything well - bastards!!). Eric talked
about his time in Rugby traveling around the world, meeting interesting people - and smashing them - and I
thought, well I can’t do that either.
[Oh!! Just on the subject of Rugby. l would like to thank you all for not once mentioning the success of the
Springboks and the dismal performances of the Wallabies at the recent world cup during my time here....Oh sorry,
I meant to say thanks very much for all of you repeatedly reminding me of the success of the Springboks and the
dismal performances of the Wallabies at the recent world cup]
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