Australian Capital Territory
MWS‑ACT held its 2026 Planning Meeting on 1 February, reviewing progress and setting priorities across the Oral History Project, research engagement, student support, and community activities. The Committee confirmed ongoing support for the ANU Elective Bursary and ANU Essay Awards, with updates on past recipients.
Social and wellbeing activities planned for 2026 include croquet, hiking, and participation in parkrun events.
On 10 March, MWS‑ACT hosted a vibrant International Women’s Day cocktail event, bringing together medical students, junior doctors, and senior clinicians. The evening highlighted intergenerational mentorship, leadership, and solidarity within the ACT medical community.
Victoria
VMWS commenced 2026 with its Strategic Planning Meeting on 25 January, setting priorities and outlining the year’s events. Planning is underway for the first networking event of the year, building on a strong 2025 program that included Ask Me Anything, Prescribing Parenthood, Hospital Hustle, and the NEXUS x VMWS MedTech event.
Two new members have joined in early 2026.
AFMW reaffirmed its long‑held position that healthy doctors are essential to a healthy healthcare system, noting the issues raised during Victorian EBA negotiations. Members are encouraged to support AMA Victoria and ASMOF in their advocacy for safe, fair, and sustainable working conditions.
Queensland
Queensland continues to make a significant contribution to the AFMW Purple Bush Medicine Leaves (PBML) Program, a national AFMW initiative supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in medicine. Established in 2018, the PBML Program recognises leadership, cultural knowledge, and community‑centred practice among Indigenous women medical students and doctors.
- Dr Fiona Stewart AM – Surgeon and educator with a remarkable non‑traditional career pathway (NSW)
- Clinical Professor Lesley Cala OAM – Radiologist and leader in tertiary imaging education (WA)
These honours reflect the breadth of expertise and leadership medical women bring to communities across Australia.
AFMW Purple Bush Medicine Leaves Program – National Overview
The Purple Bush Medicine Leaves (PBML) Program, established by AFMW in 2018, continues to grow as a national initiative supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in medicine. Since 2021, the program has awarded 19 bursaries to 16 recipients, recognising excellence, cultural knowledge, and community‑centred practice.
The PBML Program aligns its activities with significant dates in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander calendar, ensuring that bursary promotion and celebration occur in culturally meaningful contexts. A complementary Queensland‑based bursary program strengthens state–national collaboration and expands opportunities for Indigenous women in medicine.
The inaugural PBML Alumnae Gathering took place during AIDA 2025, bringing together recipients from across Australia for connection, yarning, and shared leadership. There is strong support for a future celebration event in 2026/2027.
The PBML Program continues to advance AFMW’s commitment to equity, representation, and culturally grounded models of care, aligning closely with MWIA West Pacific priorities.