Lunch with Graeme Cooke

In 2024, Australia faced its most significant avian influenza outbreak on record, with multiple outbreaks of highly pathogenic H7 avian influenza detected across Victoria, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory. The response required unprecedented coordination between governments, industry, veterinarians, scientists and local communities to contain and eradicate the disease before it could become established.

Join Dr Graeme Cooke, Chief Veterinary Officer for Victoria, as he shares the story behind one of Australia’s most complex and successful biosecurity responses. From the first detection through to national eradication, Dr Cooke will provide a perspective on the decisions, partnerships and leadership required to manage a rapidly evolving emergency animal disease incident.

This session offers valuable lessons for leaders across all sectors, demonstrating how strong partnerships, clear governance and decisive action can help organisations navigate uncertainty, protect critical industries and deliver successful outcomes under pressure.

About our speaker

Previously Veterinary Director for the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI), Graeme went on to become Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer for the UK Government, where he led multidisciplinary teams across strategy, policy and operations. He moved to Australia in 2020 to take up the role of Victoria’s Chief Veterinary Officer.

 Following a period in clinical practice, Graeme joined the UK Government, where he gained firsthand experience of how reviews and legislative changes force paradigm shifts in animal health and welfare.

He holds an MBA, served as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army Reserves, and completed a year at the UK Defence College. After operational deployments in Afghanistan, he joined the FEI, where he contributed to major reforms in international equestrian sport. This included work on anti-doping frameworks, reviews of hyperflexion, arena surfaces, and hypersensitisation, as well as policies on prohibited substances, NSAID use, and the role of FEI Veterinary Officials. He also served on the International Horse Sports Confederation (IHSC) Board.

 In government, Graeme has played a key role in national disease response, trade negotiations, and the development of animal health strategies and legislation. He has co-chaired the Australian Animal Health Committee, contributed to expert groups across the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), the EU and other international forums, and chaired the WOAH Group on Preparedness.