The University of Newcastle Medical Society (UNMS) is the peak representative organisation for medical students at the University of Newcastle. The Society (affectionately known as ‘MedSoc’ on campus) represents over 700 students studying the Bachelor of Medicine (BMed), Bachelor of Medical Science (BMedSci) and Doctor of Medicine (MD) at the University of Newcastle. Since starting in 1978 the UNMS has grown and matured into a multi-faceted organisation that organises a broad range of services for its members, including but not limited to representation, academic, social and sporting events, charity and education initiatives, and welfare support.
With events held almost every week of semester the UNMS helps to ensure Newcastle medical students have ample opportunity to achieve an optimal work/life balance. To stay up-to-date with MedSoc events, opportunities and announcement, like us on Facebook.
Representing You
The UNMS Committee includes representatives from all year levels and clinical schools to ensure all students get a direct input into the running of the Society. One of UNMS’ main role is to represent our students’ interests to a large variety of school and faculty committees, and to wider stakeholders including the Australian Medical Association, the Australian Medical Students’ Association, and the New South Wales Medical Students Council.
UNMS has regular meetings with faculty members including the Dean, and with a strong relationship with the School of Medicine and Public Health, the Faculty of Health and Medicine and the Joint Medical Program, we ensure students have a platform to raise feedback and ideas regarding the medical program. UNMS also provide support for students based off campus and in rural and remote sites including the various Rural Clinical Schools.
Our Academic & Education Events
UNMS Academic aims to give members a broader medical education, whether that’s by adding to your First Aid skills, expanding your understanding of specialties, or giving you the opportunity to see a different side of your lecturers at Great Debate.
We know how to party
One of UNMS’ core operations is to enhance the work/life balance of the medical students it represents. With at least four raging parties throughout the year, UNMS’ social events provide medical students the opportunities to put their stethoscopes aside, let their hair down, catch up with old friends, make new ones and party the night away in Newcastle’s finest venues.
UNMS Sports
UNMS Sports provides a range of sporting activities for UNMS members to have fun, get fit, and meet other med students. More importantly, UNMS Sports gives med students an outlet from study and the opportunity to bring out the competitor within!
UNMS Community & Wellbeing
UNMS’s Community initiatives, like Teddy Bear Hospital, aims to connect medical students with the community, while our Wellbeing initiatives like Blue Week aims to remind med students to always take care of themselves and each other.
We know how to get creative
UNMS MedRevue is an annual musical production entirely written, directed, produced and performed by 60+ medical students. With months of rehearsing to put on a two-nights-only performance, MedRevue proudly showcases Newcastle medical students’ talents, from dance, to music, to acting, to singing, or in some cases, all four at the same time. What’s better? This is a charity musical, with proceeds that go to UNMS’ Charity partners. Keep an eye out for audition dates for the next MedRevue.
UNMS Charity
So you say you would like to help people…or at least you that’s what you told your interviewer about why you wanted to do medicine. But if you really mean what you said, UNMS Charity is a platform for medical students to give back (and have fun in the process) through multiple events across the year. These events range from the annual UNMS Charity Trivia Night, UNMS Charity Movie Nights, ye ol’ faithful Bunnings BBQ, and for those crazy enough to call exercise fun, through the Hill to Harbour, Bondi to Bronte and Nobbys to Newcastle Runs. For more information on UNMS Charity, feel free to email the Charity Officers at charity@unms.org.au.
International Students
The BMed and MD Program at Newcastle attracts students from all across the world and these students have only added to the already rich and diverse quality of the JMP cohort. The UNMS International Portfolio provides representation and a voice for international medical student at Newcastle, a forum for international students to raise any issues or concerns, and liaises with the faculty to coordinate events and initiatives to assist International students in integrating into university life in a foreign country. To get in touch with the International Officer, feel free to send an email to international@unms.org.au.
The UNMS Publications Team work throughout the year to put three publications together: an edition of Introductus, UNMS’ Official Freshers’ Guide, and two editions of Ductus, UNMS’ Official Magazine. For those who enjoy a good STUVAC procrastiread, UNMS’ publications provides just that, and showcases the writing talents of medical students in the process. For those who enjoy writing, Introductus and Ductus is an outlet to get creative and an opportunity to get published. The Publications Team is always on the lookout for up-and-coming writers. If you are one of them, send an email to the Publications Officers at publications@unms.org.au.
Indigenous Representation
The UNMS Indigenous Representatives aim to help blend Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture into the medical society and to bring Indigenous and Non-Indigenous medical students together through clinical teaching nights and other activities. In addition, the UNMS Indigenous Portfolio also works with the Wollotuka Institute to run events and ensure adequate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander medical student representation to the School of Medicine and the Faculty. To get in touch with the UNMS Indigenous Representatives, feel free to email indigenous@unms.org.au.
We Are Also Part Of Something Much Bigger!
UNMS is one of 22 proud members of the Australian Medical Students’ Association (AMSA). AMSA is the peak representative body for all 17,000 medical students across all 20 medical schools in Australia and aims to connect, inform and represent Australian medical students through advocacy, events and programs, and publications. AMSA advocates for medical students through policy development, advocacy campaigns and representation to governments, universities and relevant medical bodies. Its advocacy efforts also include areas of global, rural and Indigenous health. AMSA also hosts world-renowned student-run conference. Make sure to also have a look at our AMSA@UNMS page to see what AMSA does here at Newcastle or get in touch at amsa@unms.org.au.
And Finally, Something For The Freshers
You’ve got a good GPA/ATAR, sat the UMAT, done the interviews and finally, got into medicine. Firstly, congratulations! Secondly, what the hell do you do next? Between settling into medicine, having to navigate your way through the Hunter Building and for most of you, moving to a new foreign land called Newcastle, the first few weeks of medicine will no doubt be a haze. Good things UNMS is here for you. UNMS is dedicated to ensuring freshers settle nicely into medicine and feel welcomed into the cohort. We do this through multiple means, mainly, by giving you a one-stop-shop of information (Introductus), a buddy to make you feel welcome (a Medtor), and an opportunity to make new friends on a weekend escape away (O’Camp).
We use Facebook as our means of regularly communicating with out members. To receive up-to-date information on UNMS’ events, initiatives and advocacy, like us our Facebook Page and/or befriend the UNMS Seahorse.
For any enquiries, get in touch with us at secretary@unms.org.au.
University of Newcastle Medical Society Inc.,
Bowman Building, School of Medicine & Public Health
The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan NSW 2308
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