2019 marks the 90th anniversary of QMWS as well as the Centenary of MWIA.
It has been an inspiring start to the year.
Our first Dinner Meeting held in February started with the traditional Presidential Address presented by the incoming QMWS President, Dr Sarah Coll, on the topic of Medical Women in Leadership. Following this, an expert panel comprising Dr Catherine Yelland, Professor Kirsty Forrest and Dr Jacinta Powell, answered questions from the floor. Our 2019 Committee was confirmed at the AGM that followed.
In March, our Immediate Past President, Dr Lydia Pitcher and Naseera Naeem, President of the University of Queensland’s Supporting Women in Medicine group represented Queensland at the 63rd Commission on the Status of Women. This was held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
Our second general committee meeting was held on April 7 and helped cement plans for 2019:
- Calendar for the year
- 2-3 more Dinner Meetings for 2019 – the next Dinner Meeting, on May 7, will feature an address by Queensland’s Chief Health Officer, Dr Jeannette Young.
- Christmas Party to thank the committee and welcome new medical graduates as doctors
- We have a group giving oral presentations at the MWIA Centennial Congress in New York
- Networking ‘walk and talk’ mornings along the Brisbane River
- Continue to build links with rural Queensland, including by appointing Rural Queensland AFMW Representative, Dr Alice Chang.
- Build our digital media strategy now that we have launched our new website
- Quarterly newsletter
At our last dinner meeting, we were honoured to receive the invaluable insights of former Lord Mayor, Sallyanne Atkinson AO. Sallyanne’s autobiography “No Job for a Woman” contains quite a few surprises, even for those who followed her career closely. It is a thoroughly engaging and entertaining book, and Sallyanne’s journalistic flair is obvious. Thanks to Katy Edwards, artist, for her generosity in providing an original print for our raffle which raised around $500 for the Brain Institute, and for providing a signed print as a memento for each QMWS attendee.
To help commemorate our 90thyear, in partnership with the National Council of Queensland, we plan to establish at least one $1000 bursary for young Medical Women within the NCWQ Bursaries Programme. The fund-raising event this year, “Recognising Queensland Medical Women”, will be held at United Services Club in October (see Calendar overleaf) and we encourage as many as possible of our members to attend.
The Australian Federation of Medical Women (AFMW) is a not for profit, politically neutral, non sectarian, non government organisation that seeks to improve the health of all Australians, especially the health of women and children.
Events and Updates coordination by AFMW, on behalf of the Australian Federation of Medical Women (AFMW), its affiliated Australian state and territory partners and international networks and supporters. If you have an update or event you would like to share with us for Australian medical women, please contact us with details. Thank you.
