Conversations have the power to shape the future, and for the past three decades, the Australian & New Zealand Prevocational Medical Education Forum (ANZPMEF) has created a space for conversation, each Forum building upon the one that came before. In 2027, the Postgraduate Medical Council of Victoria (PMCV) is honoured to continue this tradition as the host of the milestone 30th ANZPMEF. We will bring together prevocational doctors, clinicians, educators and healthcare leaders from across Australia and New Zealand to share knowledge, challenge thinking and ultimately, strengthen prevocational medical education.
A Tradition that Connects Us
An enduring symbol of ANZPMEF is the passing on of the talking sticks from one Forum host to another. We adopted this tradition from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who have been using yarning circles and yarning sticks (also known as talking sticks) for tens of thousands of years. Yarning circles represent respectful dialogue, active listening and sharing of knowledge in a safe space, and talking sticks are a communication tool passed around to empower people to share.
The ANZPMEF talking sticks were painted by a Bundjalung man over 17 years ago. In 2009, the Postgraduate Medical Council of Queensland handed the talking sticks to PMCV which begun the tradition of passing the talking sticks between Forum hosts.
Last month we received the talking sticks for the third time, continuing the legacy built by past hosts and attendees. The ANZPMEF talking sticks continue to represent the community’s respect for the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands on which we host the Forum each year, in addition to the values and principles of the talking sticks that continue to resonate with the purpose of ANZPMEF today. In 2027, PMCV is proud to continue that journey and welcome the ANZPMEF community to Melbourne as we look toward the next chapter of prevocational medical training.
The Theme for the 30th ANZPMEF – The Next 30: People, Change and the Future of Prevocational Training
Healthcare is evolving rapidly, from changing workforce expectations to a growing focus on inclusion, cultural safety and doctor wellbeing, The Next 30: People, Change and the Future of Prevocational Training reflects the current moment of transition and how we can support the next generation of doctors in an evolving healthcare environment.
This theme will guide conversation on how the community and practices have and will shape the experiences for everyone in the prevocational medical training space. PMCV is excited to invite stakeholders to come together over three days to reflect on their journey and to explore where we are heading. Together we will consider how we can continue to strengthen and grow prevocational medical education across Australia and New Zealand
Join the Conversation
As PMCV’s planning for the Forum is well underway, we are excited to share more news over the coming months.
If you are part of the prevocational medical training community, we are thrilled to invite you to be a part of the 30th anniversary of the Forum. We hope you will join us in continuing to honour this legacy and to build upon conversation that has shaped ANZPMEF over many years.
PMCV looks forward to welcoming you to the 30th Australian & New Zealand Prevocational Medical Education Forum, to continue the conversation in Melbourne.
