Who we are
The Veterinary Students’ Society of Victoria (VSSV) represents every Doctor of Veterinary Medicine student at the University of Melbourne, across all four years and both the Parkville and Werribee campuses. We connect students with each other, with Melbourne Veterinary School staff and with industry through social, sporting, educational and wellbeing events, and we advocate for students on the issues that shape their degree.
In 2025, members voted in a new constitution that brought the former Parkville and Werribee committees together into one society. A Melbourne Veterinary School staff member is formally linked to the Society. The VSSV is supported by the Faculty of Science, the University of Melbourne Student Union (UMSU), the Graduate Student Association (GSA) and our industry sponsors.
Each year we run the Vet Ball, Barn Dance, Vetworking Mixer and Halfway Dinner, alongside smaller social, sports and wellbeing activities. Members also receive discounts on placement apparel, professional polos and dissection kits.
Our Special Interest Groups (SIGs) offer students the chance to delve into their specific interests, whether related to small animals, large animals, wildlife, exotics, or animal welfare. Each group organises events throughout the year and operates its own committees and meetings.
Our structure
Board of Directors. The President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and two General Board Members lead the Society. One General Board Member seat is reserved for an international student and one for a domestic student.
General Council. Council advises the Board and leads our sub-committees. Its members are the two Heads of Events and Social Subcommittees, the Head of Marketing and Merchandise, the Head of Corporate Partnership and Sponsorship, the First, Second and Third Year Representatives, the Sustainability Representative and the Education Officer. Our six SIG Presidents also sit on Council; they advise but don’t vote on Board matters.
Sub-committees. About a dozen non-voting roles are open to any member: merchandise and social media officers, event leads for the Vet Ball, Halfway Dinner and O-Week, kiosk and sports and wellbeing officers on both campuses, a fundraising rep, a peer mentor coordinator and a yearbook lead.
Special Interest Groups. WAG, MAG, SWAG, AWSS, Smallies and Largies are each led by a third-year President, with officers from first to third year.
DVM4 Committee. Former executives, including at least the past President, and AVA representatives form a non-voting committee. It advises the Board and helps each new committee hand over.
