Welcome to the Victorian Medical Women’s Society (VMWS), founded in 1896 to forge a closer relationship between female doctors and medical students, promote the interests of medical women and further their professional development.

In 1927 VMWS became part of the AFMW with its charter to promote the health and welfare of all Australians, particularly women and children.

Both aspects remain relevant today and central to our activities.

VMWS started the year with a fantastic event: “Postcards from Abroad”. With an evocative flyer – which looked just like an old-fashioned “Par Avion” envelope - and the lights of Melbourne twinkling from the 11th floor Boardroom at St V’s as backdrop, we joined our speakers in their adventures around the globe in challenging but very rewarding experiences. Question time brought out some basic but important concerns: How do I convince my mum it will be all right? Were you concerned about safety? What was it like to come back to ordinary life after such a profound experience? Read a full report inside the newsletter.

Our next event is traditionally one of our most popular: the Interview Event on May 30th. This year will be particularly exciting as we proudly launch the Publication of our first VMWS booklet: The VMWS Guide to CV Writing & Successful Interviews. The authors are a stellar lineup: Assoc Prof Deb Colville, Assoc Prof Jan Coles, Dr Rosalind Terry, Dr Natalie Marijanovic, Dr Linny Kimly Phuong and Dr Madhura S Naidu. We thank Medic Oncall for sponsoring publication of the booklet.

We are excited that, in time for this event, VCAT has granted AFMW & VMWS an Equal Opportunity Exemption which enables us to hold Professional Development meetings as Members Only events. In legal terms it recognises that gender inequality still exists in Medicine and supports the importance of redressing it. Its second important aim is to be able to offer a safe, comfortable and supportive environment for women to discuss a range of matters including violence, harassment and discrimination. More on this on page 5.

Our other major activity since last writing has been the development of a Strategic Plan for the next 3 years – more on that next time

With warmest wishes

Best wishes

Raie Goodwach MBBS, MPS
President VMWS 2011

History of Victorian Medical Women's Society

The Victorian Medical Women’s Society (VMWS) was founded in September 1896 with the aim to further the professional development of medical women by education, research and improvement of professional opportunities. It promotes the health and welfare of all Australians, particularly women and children.

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