Andrew Hansen, veterinary surgeon, June 22, 2015

Andrew Hansen, a well-known and highly respected veterinary surgeon who played a significant part in developing the Australian deer industry, died in Orange on June 22 after a three-year battle with cancer. He was 69.

Mr Hansen gave decades of service to the veterinary industry, to Australian deer farming and to the Orange community. He was respected for his intelligence, professionalism, dedication to animals large and small, his love of a good debate, especially one with a political twist, his interest in military history, his passion for the outdoors, from cross country skiing to canoeing, his strength of character and his great humour. 

 Mr Hansen grew up in Sydney, was educated at Hurlstone Agricultural High School from 1957-1961 and then studied veterinary science at Sydney University.

 He was a member of the Sydney  university Regiment and veterinary faculty representative in1967, the year of his graduation.

Mr Hansen moved to Orange in 1968 and worked with the Orange Veterinary Hospital, later becoming a partner. 

He loved his profession, developing a special interest in orthopaedic surgery.

Mr Hansen made many contributions to the Orange community, including in his early years, as president of the Bachelors and Spinsters’ Association (1974) and later as president of the Orange Arts Council.  In 2000, along with his wife Judith, he developed a small vineyard growing merlot and riesling on their property near Mount Canobolas. 

Since his retirement in 2005 from the Orange Veterinary Hospital, Mr Hansen remained active in the profession.

He served for almost a decade on the NSW Veterinary Practitioners’ Board, and he was a member of, and at one stage president of, the Central West branch of the Australian Veterinary Association until ill health  forced him to resign earlier this year. 

 Mr Hansen was also an active deer farmer for 23 years.

Continuing education was important to him  and in 2000 he completed a masters degree in veterinary science with a focus on red deer reproduction.

He was closely involved in the development of the deer industry including the establishment of a national velvet accreditation scheme.

He was president of the NSW branch of the Deer Industry Association of Australia from 2006-2014 and president of the national branch from 2010-2014.

 His son, Tim Hansen, was mentored by Andrew as he also entered the deer industry. Tim developed Mandagery Creek Venison, which now has the largest red deer herd in Australia. 

He will be missed by many, none more than Judith, his wife of 41 years, his children Penny, Joshua and Tim, his six grandchildren and his sisters Sandra and Lynden.

And by his golden retriever, Jimmy.