Connection, leadership and support

Induction Night at AMA SA

Wednesday 23 July marked our very first induction night for new members joining the AMASA Council, Board, and Committees. With a strong turnout and a relaxed atmosphere, the evening was enjoyed over good food, drinks, and vibrant discussion.

Hosted by CEO Nicole Sykes at the AMA SA office, the event gave attendees a comprehensive overview of how AMA SA operates, how it connects with the Federal AMA, and what’s expected of members serving on Council, Board, and Committees. Nicole also outlined our key policy agenda and explained how our organisation works to drive meaningful outcomes for members.

But Induction Night was more than just an orientation, it was a chance to connect. And what a group we have! Among our new members are people who’ve worked across the globe, served in government, published papers on AI in healthcare, founded charities, sculpt, sing in choirs, do pottery, handstands and even wean lambs. The breadth of experience and personality in the room was incredible.

Events like this are the bedrock of a strong AMA. Most of our clinicians volunteer their time, balancing demanding and often unpredictable workloads. So when they step into AMA roles, we need to hit the ground running. That means understanding expectations, being well-prepared, and working together to create robust, actionable policy. Getting to know each other helps because teamwork and trust start with connection.

Induction Night set the tone for what’s ahead and pointed us all in the right direction. Huge thanks to Nicole Sykes and the AMA SA team for organising a memorable and energising evening.

And yes, we had a lot of fun too.

Speed Mentoring with AMA SA

On Thursday 24 July, AMA SA hosted a Speed Mentoring event for Doctors in Training (DiTs) and final year med students, generously supported by Hood Sweeney at their stunning new office on Fullarton Road, Dulwich.

This was a golden opportunity for our mentees to ask the questions they’ve always wanted to, especially the ones that can feel too daunting or awkward to raise elsewhere. After all, choosing a career path in medicine can feel like setting the direction for the next 30 years of your life. AMA SA is proud to create a space where DiTs and students can safely and openly gather the insights they need to guide those big decisions.

Over dinner and drinks, four mentors rotated around four tables every 20 minutes, sparking vibrant conversations and answering hard-hitting questions. Some career plans were crystallised on the spot! More importantly, real connections were made between peers and with our future medical leaders. At AMA SA, we know that engaging meaningfully with the next generation is essential to understanding where our profession is headed.

Following the mentoring rounds, there was time to casually mingle, ask follow-up questions, and strengthen new relationships. By the end of the night, numerous emails and phone numbers had been exchanged, a clear sign that valuable, lasting connections were made.

A huge thank you goes out to our incredible mentors for volunteering their time amidst busy clinical schedules on a chilly winter evening:

• Associate Professor Melanie Turner – Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist
• Dr George Balalis – Bariatric and Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeon
• Dr Louis Papilion – AMA SA Vice President and Specialist Anaesthetist
• Ed Chen and Fernanda Schettini – Hood Sweeney Finance Experts

We're especially grateful to Ed and Fernanda for offering their expertise. It's so important for DiTs and students to engage with financial planners and accountants early in their careers, developing good financial habits is often overlooked until it’s too late.

Stay tuned, more mentoring events are coming, each with new mentors and fresh insights.