Dr Lorna Melville

Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade

Lorna was the Principal Veterinary Virologist and Officer in Charge of the Berrimah Veterinary Laboratory.

She started her career in the Northern Territory in 1971 after graduating from Sydney University and was thrust into the full impact of “BTEC” – the Brucellosis and Tuberculosis Eradication Campaign.

Lorna moved from the field to the laboratory to work in pathology and virology and with the detection of “Bluetongue virus” in the late 1970’s and the subsequent construction of the A.L. Rose Virology Laboratory, she has dedicated her life work to veterinary virology. This is demonstrated by the success of the National Arbovirus Monitoring Program of which the Territory has always and continues to play a vital role.

She also provided the developing crocodile farming industry with essential diagnostic and research support and has been involved with numerous off shore projects. The most significant of these has been a long-term commitment to veterinary services in Timor-Leste, particularly the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory in Dili.

In 2009 Lorna was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for services to veterinary science and in 2014 a Public Service Medal (PSM). She also received a NT Chief Ministers Medal in 2013.