Speeches
Thursday, 26 October 2023
Channel 7 Children’s Research Foundation presentation of 2024 Grants
Rod and I are very pleased, as joint patrons, to join you for the announcement of the Channel 7 Children’s Research Foundation 2024 annual grants, and to recognise the achievements of current researchers and research programs.
Each and every day, South Australian doctors and scientists are undertaking the quest to improve the health and wellbeing of children and adults in our state.
This includes identifying the causes of differences and disorders, improving diagnostic methods, discovering better forms of prevention and developing new treatments for various conditions.
It is Rod’s and my privilege to support these world-leading endeavours.
The innovation, research and collaboration that is being conducted in our universities and scientific institutions is a source of pride for all South Australians.
We have seen that our researchers are curious, innovative, and determined to make a difference.
From our visits to SAHMRI, the Tonsley Innovation District, and hospitals, we can see that our state is at the forefront of seeking and finding solutions that will have an impact at the local, state and international level.
Through the support of the Channel 7 Children’s Research Foundation, some of our most innovative researchers are focussed on improving children’s health, education, and welfare.
Each year, the foundation makes available an impressive $1.5 million in peer reviewed grants.
These funds are currently supporting researchers at the University of Adelaide, University of South Australia, Flinders University, SAHMRI, Novita and the Women’s and Children’s Health Network.
We are pleased to see the diversity of research taking place and the breakthroughs this is producing.
Some recent achievements include exciting developments in the treatment of children’s wounds and burn injuries, using genetic models to tackle epilepsy, and using cognitive behavioural therapy to address perfectionism in children.
There are many more stories of research that can be told, many with happy endings.
Central to each is CRF’s vision to build research capacity in children’s health here in South Australia and to give early career researchers an opportunity to establish themselves.
Rod and I thank the foundation for its commitment and convey our gratitude to the many supporters who are the lifeblood of the grants program.
We congratulate the recipients of the 18 new grants to be announced today.
We wish you all well in your quest to improve the lives of our precious children.
We look forward to following your research and to seeing it, one day, perhaps even soon, making a real difference to the lives of young South Australians.