Margaret Keats MBE (1895-1970)

The second female registered veterinarian in Australia, Margaret Keats was also the first qualified veterinarian to work in north-west Victoria. Her veterinary practice based in Kerang served an area of 28,000 square kilometres from the South Australian border to Bendigo.

In a male dominated environment Margaret had the distinction of being appointed a stock border inspector to maintain the health of stock crossing the Murray River. This position filled a major gap, as there were no government veterinary services in the area until the late 1950s. In this role Margaret was also a commissioner of the High Court, one of the first women to be appointed to this position in Victoria and New South Wales.

In 1926 Margaret joined the Victorian branch of the Australian Veterinarian Association, established the year before she completed her veterinarian exams in 1922. She was a very keen member, taking part in nearly every association meeting, and was a strong supporter of the re-establishment of Melbourne Veterinary School in the 1960s.

Through her professional practice extending more than 45 years, Margaret was held in great respect by her clients and was utterly devoted to the local community. Her contribution is well recorded in the collection of Keats memorabilia at the Kerang Historical Society. In 1959 Margaret was awarded an MBE in the New Year Honours List.

Margaret had a love of thoroughbred horses which culminated in the success of an aptly named horse, Fight On, that she successfully bred. Fight On was a three-time winner of the Kerang Cup.