"Thank You" Day

Today is Research Australia's “Thank You” Day, a day that brings the community together to take pride in the amazing achievements of Australia's health and medical researchers. This research is critically important in the quest to maintain our health.

From cancer to cardiovascular disease, asthma to premature birth, immunology to mental health, health behaviour to stroke – researchers in the Hunter are making significant discoveries in areas that affect the physical and emotional well being of you or someone you love.

The theme of this year's “Thank You” Day is ‘ Research Today for a better future for our children ' is especially appropriate for the Hunter Children's Research Foundation (HCRF).

HCRF works in association with Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) and is affiliated with Kaleidoscope - the Hunter Children's Health Network. Money raised in the Hunter by HCRF stays in the Hunter to establish new and continue existing research projects in areas like asthma, cancer, cystic fibrosis, diabetes, autism and sleep disorders - illnesses that can affect any family at any time.

Last Thursday, HCRF held their Awards Night to announce the recipients of Research Grants and CARE (Community Acknowledgement of Research Excellence) Awards for 2005.

This year $65,000 in grants were presented to local researchers tackling major issues threatening the future health of the nation.

Dr Ian Wright and Dr Vicki Clifton received a $25,000 grant to continue investigations into why p reterm males require more cardiovascular and respiratory support than female neonates born under the same conditions. Understanding these underlying sex related mechanisms is the first step in preventing those neonatal deaths in Australia each year related to male gender.

Dr Clare Collins and Dr Janet Warren received $20,000 for their work in comparing the nutrient intakes from key food groups (fruit, vegetables, fats), to blood levels of chemicals that are generally used as health indicators and measures of nutritional state.

Mr Richard Fletcher and Professor Diana Keatinge received $20,000 to develop a web-based fathers' network and health information service for first-time fathers. The research will identify the sorts of questions that fathers would ask (if the services were available) and demonstrate how, even in times of high stress, fathers can be linked to health professionals and to other fathers to improve their parenting.

Each year the HCRF CARE Awards, proudly sponsored by local businesses, are awarded to individuals respected for their contribution to child health. The ongoing commitment represented by these valuable sponsors reinforces the respect that our community has for the important role that researchers play in ensuring our children have a healthy future.

Congratulations to Professor Philip Hazell on receiving the Research Mentor of the Year Award in recognition of his invaluable role over many years in mentoring young researchers. A forerunner in creating a research and evidence-based focused child and youth mental health service, Philip was commended for making the research world a place others would want to be involved in. Philip received his award from Ms Margaret Ellis, General Manager, Marketing, Newcastle Permanent Building Society.

Mr Jeff Shakespeare, Managing Director of JSA Financial Planning Group presented the Achievement in Research Award to joint recipients A/Professor John Stuart and Mr Chris Ashhurst-Smith . This Award recognises the special community links they have established within the Aboriginal community. John and Chris were also acknowledged for their recent commendation for the significance of their research for investigating otitis media – an important health issue in Aboriginal communities.

The Special Achievement in Quality Improvement was awarded to Dr Paul Craven and presented by Kevin McDougall, President of Wests Leagues Club. This Award recognises Dr Craven's contribution to the Newborn Resuscitation Program. While birth is an exciting and rewarding time for all involved it is one of the riskiest times of our lives. Paul's efforts have ensured that everyone attending deliveries in the Hunter New England Area is trained in resuscitation. With yearly updates provided by the new trainers, all Hunter New England babies are assured the best possible start.

Congratulations to Dr Rajendra Kumar who received the Special Encouragement Award for Research. Presented by Mr Steve Rich, Managing Director, RICH Computing this Award acknowledges Raj's enthusiasm for promoting the paediatric surgical unit as a research oriented unit. His presentation of scientific papers and presentations to Grand Rounds was acknowledged as was his commitment to encourage staff across a multidisciplinary team to participate in research.

Research of this standard cannot happen without the injection of vital funds. Congratulations and thank you to the committee of dedicated volunteers on the Hunter Children's Research Foundation. HCRF's amazing efforts, continued stamina and relentless enthusiasm is ensuring research into childhood illness lives on in the Hunter.