Advocacy

We know that the current VWMS arrangements for looking after our members and associate members, is appreciated by them. Men who become aware of this organization may wonder why they cannot join and benefit from the companionship we generate. We welcome their support and invite them to some of our events.

We also provide other events that our committee offers only for our members. To do this we must apply every 3 years to the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission for exemption from their regulations for our women only events. So far this has never been refused.

Read More »VMWS and our relationship with our male colleagues

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Dear Members,

Welcome to our October newsletter.

I commend to you the articles commenting on our event about doctors’ roles in preventing domestic violence by Ms Lydia Stefano, Sarah Kari’s observations on doctor-patient interaction, and Dr Claire Felmingham’s articles on environmental health, and feminist writing relevant to doctors.  We are still campaigning about gender including LGTBIQ (1) issues, in both professional relationships, and for patient care, and Mr John Lee, Austin medical student, reports.

Read More »President’s Report – VMWS Newsletter, October 2016

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VMWS: From 1896 to present

Times have changed since Dr Constance Stone, the first woman to practice medicine in Australia, founded the Victorian Medical Women’s Society in 1896. The vision of Dr Stone and the formidable ladies who joined her was to change the course of history, setting a benchmark for women’s health in Victoria and around the globe.

They were yet to have the right to vote but these women challenged conventions, empowered themselves and created the Victoria Hospital, a hospital that was run by women for women. At that time it was the first such hospital in Australia and one of only 3 hospitals in the world that had been founded by, managed by, and staffed by women.

The women doctors treated the poorest of women, gave out medicine free and were not paid for their services, which were in high demand. Two thousand patients presented in the first 3 months. To expand their services the women established the Queen’s Shilling Fund, asking every Victorian woman to donate a shilling to fund a new hospital. The Queen Victoria Hospital was born and by 1951 it was the biggest in the British Commonwealth.

Read More »History of Victorian Medical Women’s Society

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