Murdoch Childrens Research Institute Annual Report 2011

Murdoch Childrens Research Institute The Royal Children’s Hospital Flemington Road, Parkville Victoria 3052 Australia

Phone: +61 3 8341 6200 Fax: +61 3 9348 1391 www.mcri.edu.au ABN: 21 006 566 972

annual report 2011

The Murdoch Childrens Research Institute celebrated a

and public health approaches. Throughout its history,

landmark milestone in 2011, our 25-year anniversary. Until

the Institute has transformed to include interdisciplinary

the merger in 2000, the Murdoch Institute for Research into

research teams of critical mass and excellence, and is now

Birth Defects, subsequently the Murdoch Institute, was

fully integrated ‘from bench to bedside to community’.

renowned for its human genetics and ethics research and for excellent clinical care for people with inherited diseases.

As well as celebrating our silver anniversary, we also

The Royal Children’s Hospital Research Foundation, with

entered into another exciting phase of growth in 2011

which the Murdoch Institute amalgamated, had a history

as the Institute moved to the new Royal Children’s

of excellence in child healthcare and research, community

Hospital campus, which meant a doubling of research

child health research and expertise in adolescent health.

space. The space was designed to ensure ease of access

The strengths of the two former institutes were clearly

between researchers and clinicians, which will improve

complementary and drove the merger in 2000.

communication and increase collaboration. This will be a critical factor in enabling us to find answers quickly to

Since then, Murdoch Childrens has become the preeminent child health research institute in Australia, and is among the world leaders in infant, child and adolescent health research. The Institute encompasses laboratory, clinical

the most important child health problems.

www.mcri.edu.au

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annual report 2011 > contents

When our kids are sick, we take for granted that doctors and nurses will know what to do to make them better. It is only past research discoveries that have made this possible.

contents about us

2

25 years of life-changing discoveries 4 year at a glance

8

chairman’s report

10

director’s report

12

organisational chart

14

board of directors

15

board committees

16

executive committee

17

research priority reports allergy & autoimmune

18

brain & mind

22

genetics

26

obesity

30

research highlights

32

students, achievement awards & fellowships

38

victorian clinical genetics services

40

corporate & scientific services

42

global collaborations

46

financials

48

government & competitive grants

52

special events

54

corporate partners

58

major donors & supporters

60

donor list

62

about us 25 years of life-changing discoveries In 2011, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute celebrated

For 25 years, researchers at the Institute have been making

a significant milestone: our 25-year anniversary. In 25 years,

discoveries to improve child health. Now, with more than

Murdoch Childrens has become the preeminent child health

1500 highly-skilled researchers, we have the critical mass

research institute in Australia, recognised globally for its

needed in modern-day research to solve child-health

child-health discoveries. We’ve grown from having a handful

problems more rapidly.

of dedicated researchers to today being Australia’s largest child health research institute.

our work

World-renown paediatrician, the late Professor David Danks

Our team of more than 1500 researchers combat emerging

established the Institute in 1986 with generous philanthropic

conditions affecting children, such as allergies, diabetes and

support from Dame Elisabeth Murdoch AC BDE, her family

obesity, as well as finding answers to unsolved problems,

and others.

such as cancer and genetic conditions.

In 2000, The Murdoch Institute and The Royal Children’s

Working across 70 large research groups, we conduct

Hospital Research Institute merged to form the Murdoch

nationally and internationally recognised studies to help

Childrens Research Institute. This prompted the biggest

give doctors and parents the knowledge to improve the

change to the Institute during its 25-year history, as it shifted

health and wellbeing of children. We work across four key

from a primarily genetics-based research institute to an

areas of child health in which we have the demonstrated

institute with a broader focus on child health.

skills to make a difference on the world stage.

annual report 2011 > about

us

OUR VISION

OUR MISSION

OUR VALUES

To be a major global contributor to the creation of knowledge that leads to improved child health.

To obtain knowledge to improve the health of children in Victoria and globally.

• Excitement of discovery • Innovation • Teamwork • Integrity

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allergy & autoimmune

While we have a focus on these areas, our size allows us to

We strive to better understand how and why allergic and

also address other common and rare childhood conditions,

immune disorders are increasing. Allergic disease including

such as language disorders, heart disease, mitochondrial

food allergy, asthma and eczema affects up to 40 per cent

disease and cerebral palsy.

of Australian children, and the incidence is increasing rapidly.

brain & mind

how we spend donor funds

We look at brain development and the brain’s ability to

As a not-to-profit organisation, we rely on the generosity

function after disease, injury and intensive care. We also

of donors to seed fund priority research projects.

focus on understanding and improving the mental health and wellbeing of children and adolescents.

Every donation, no matter how small, has the potential to save lives. As governments and other grant-making bodies

obesity

tend to support established research, philanthropic and

Australian kids are among the most obese in the world. In

corporate funds are vital to providing the seed funding we

Victoria alone, more than 220,000 children are overweight.

need to bring bold, daring and innovative research ideas to

We look at ways to combat the obesity epidemic and prevent

life. Many of our research projects that now receive

the long-term health risks including type 2 diabetes, heart

government funding were initially established with funding

disease and high blood pressure.

from private sources.

genetics

For every dollar donated in 2011, we leveraged a further

Each year, eight million children globally are born with a

$6 from external sources. Most importantly, we distribute

serious birth defect of genetic origin. The genetic cause

philanthropic funds to our research teams based on

remains unknown for more than half of these conditions.

performance and research excellence. Gifts to Murdoch

We study genetics to ensure future generations are healthy.

Childrens are an investment in the future health of children.

Throughout its 25-year history, the Institute has cemented itself as a leader in child health research. This reputation has been achieved through hundreds of innovative research projects and life-changing discoveries.

25 years of life-changing

discoveries early discovery

using botox to help children walk

Whilst the Institute was still in its infancy, the Institute’s focus on

Researchers here and overseas worked on the link

Menkes syndrome, a disease of copper deficiency, culminated in

between botulinum toxin, a well-known muscle relaxant,

the co-discovery of the Menkes gene by researchers.

and reducing spasticity in the limbs of children with cerebral palsy. The finding has given children with

victorian infant hearing screening program

cerebral palsy the chance to lead a more active lifestyle, helping them walk and play. The ongoing work of researchers on gait analysis and botulinum toxin has resulted in a paradigm shift in the treatment of children

In the early 1990s, our researchers set up one of the first whole of state screening programs in the world to detect congenital hearing loss, which up until then had devastating

with cerebral palsy worldwide.

rotavirus vaccine

impacts on children’s life chances. For more than 20 years they have studied the epidemiology of deafness and effectiveness of

Rotavirus, the leading cause of severe dehydrating

early detection systems. This led to the Centre for Community

gastroenteritis in infants, leads to more than 500,000

Child Health at The Royal Children’s Hospital implementing the

deaths worldwide each year, mostly in developing

new Victorian Infant Hearing Screening Program (VIHSP) and

countries. As infection occurs very early in life, Murdoch

contributed to similar newborn screening programs throughout

Childrens is working with developing countries on an

Australia. Every Victorian baby born with hearing loss can now

oral vaccine that can be delivered at birth to those

join VicCHILD, a new Murdoch Childrens register that works

most at risk.

hand in hand with VIHSP to support cutting-edge research into deafness and to give these children the best possible start in life.

annual report 2011 > 25

years of life-changing discoveries

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1986 – 2011 leading the way in allergy research

computer program which changed the face of diagnosis

We found that babies given egg after 12 months of age

Our doctors and researchers developed and designed a

were up to five times more likely to develop egg allergy

computer based system called POSSUM, which helps doctors

as they grew older than infants introduced to egg at four

around the world to diagnose genetically based syndromes

to six months of age. This contradicted Australian and

and malformations in their patients. The comprehensive

international guidelines that previously recommended

database contains photos and information on more than

that infants with a family history of allergy delay introducing

3000 syndromes. Using the system, doctors can search based

allergenic foods until two or three years of age. Egg allergy

on a patient’s traits or by syndrome name to assist them in

is the most common food allergy in infants and toddlers.

making a diagnosis, or to learn about syndromes.

change in thinking about children’s brains

sex determination Disorders of sex development occur one in every 4500 babies born. Development of the gonads (testes or

Research at the Institute showed for the first time that

ovaries) requires the coordinated functioning of many genes

early childhood brain damage and injury has a poorer

and proteins. A breakdown in this complex development

outcome than later or adult brain damage. The finding

pathway may lead to children being born with uncertain

was the culmination of a 15 year study looking at brain

sex. In 1999, our team found a gene responsible for the

injuries and goes against previous theory and practice in

production of normal testes. This discovery has improved the

this area, which hypothesised that children’s brains had

diagnosis and clinical management of children with disorders

greater plasticity and greater capacity to recover from

of sex development as well as providing insights into diseases

injury than adult brains.

that affect other organ systems.

25 years of

innovation

type 1 diabetes affects brain development, school function & mental health

haemochromatosis discovery Researchers at the Institute determined how significant the health problems were for people who carried a common gene that caused iron to accumulate in the body

A 15 year study by our researchers found that type 1

(haemochromatosis). The study was published in the world’s

diabetes results in reduced brain volume and cognitive

biggest medical journal, The New England Journal of Medicine,

function from childhood to young adult life. The same

and provides the basis for a screening program.

diabetes study cohort had double the rate (32 per cent)

Haemochromatosis can cause organ failure if not identified,

of failure of secondary school completion, with 39 per

but is easily treated through donating blood.

cent of patients failing to continue with specialist medical care after leaving hospital. The leading complication of

sound sleeping for babies

diabetes is now recognised as adverse mental health outcome during childhood and adolescence, with 38 per

Researchers found that having a baby with a sleep problem

cent of patients having been referred to mental health

triples the risk of postnatal depression symptoms in mothers.

services since their diagnosis. This highly significant and

Determined to do something to help, researchers then

prognostic burden of adverse brain development and

developed and trialled a baby sleep program, which was

poor mental health is a previously unrecognised

found to decrease infant sleep problems by 60 per cent and

consequence of type 1 diabetes. Researchers at the

postnatal depression by 30 per cent.

Institute are now recommending routine cognitive and mental health screening.

pioneering new technology

arthritis finding

We were co-leaders in an international study that found ‘next-generation’ DNA sequencing could accurately

Arthritis affects four in 1000 children and can impact

diagnose a rare genetic disease more quickly and cost

on the quality of life of babies as early as six months of

effectively than current techniques. Because current testing

age. Researchers identified the enzyme responsible for

can only screen one gene at a time, many children need to

destroying cartilage in the joints of arthritis patients.

undergo painful muscle and liver biopsies to identify which

The enzyme, called ADAMTS5, was found to degrade

genes should be tested, a process that can then take

aggrecan, which gives cartilage in healthy joints the

anywhere from a few months to several years. Next-

ability to bear loads and resist compression. The work

generation sequencing can test many genes at the same

that has followed seeks to identify new targets for

time through a simple blood test. The finding will lead to

arthritis therapies, for both children and adults.

more accurate diagnosis and will improve prenatal diagnosis and prevention of rare disease mutations.

annual report 2011 >

25 years of life-changing discoveries

helping children with a common condition

chromosome discovery

Researchers at the Institute discovered a new way of

Our researchers were the first to discover human

investigating and treating chronic constipation in children.

chromosomes could spontaneously form a structure that

This discovery will help thousands of children who

could control chromosome movement during cell division.

experience problems with chronic constipation who have

Using this structure, our labs were able to form mini

not responded to existing treatments.

chromosomes, which have the potential to be used in treatment of genetic conditions.

2000 stories of adolescents growing up

genetics in medicine The doctors and scientists at the Victorian Clinical

In 1992, 2000 adolescents were enrolled in a study looking at

Genetics Services have spent the past 25 years working to

mental health and substance use. They are now 35 years old

discover genes and characterise rare genetic disorders.

and many are still in the study and having children of their

This, in addition to the newborn screening program, has

own. Major findings from this study indicated that cannabis

been able to offer diagnoses, information and genetic

and alcohol use in adolescence precedes many mental

counselling for thousands of families across Victoria

health and substance use problems in young adults.

and Tasmania.

7

year at a glance research highlights Our research continued to deliver results to improve the health and wellbeing of children. Among the highlights:

• Our researchers identified a gene that causes a severe form of osteoarthritis. The TRPV4 gene regulates calcium entry into the cell, which is important for normal function of

• Murdoch Childrens was awarded two Centres of Research

cartilage cells. Researchers found that when the gene is

Excellence grants by the National Health & Medical Research

mutated, cells don’t function properly, causing the arthritic

Council (NHMRC). Professor Sheena Reilly was awarded

condition. The breakthrough could ultimately help develop

$2.5 million to establish a Centre of Research Excellence

new therapeutic treatments for all types of arthritis.

in Childhood Language to address gaps in current research, policy and capacity. Professor John Carlin was awarded $2.5

• The Institute began the process of establishing a Children’s

million for a new Victorian Centre for Biostatistics (ViCBiostat),

Bioresource Centre. The Centre, based on the UK Biobank

which aims to foster the careers of a new generation of

model, will enable investigation of a wide range of childhood

biostatistical leaders by developing an integrated program

conditions and diseases through storage of biological

of methodological and collaborative research.

specimens and health data. It’s anticipated the facility will include data from more than half a million participants and

• We were involved in an international study that found mental

will be among the largest of its kind in the world.

disorders such as major depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are the leading cause of disability in young people

• Preliminary results from the Early Language in Victoria Study

worldwide. The international study was the first to provide a

(ELVS) discovered that toddlers who later go on to be

comprehensive picture of the global causes of disability in

diagnosed with autism use fewer gestures. The results of

adolescence and the main risk factors for disease in later life.

the study could revolutionise the way autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is screened and provide better outcomes for children with ASD through early intervention programs.

annual report 2011 > about

Total income (like for like)

us

2010

2011

$85.9 million

$88.3 million

NHMRC grants awarded (for projects to commence in the following year)

$26.5 million

$26.3 million

Peer-reviewed publications

564

632

Peer-reviewed publications in the world’s top medical journals (tier one and two)

154

171

Paid staff, students and honoraries

1475

1512

Donations, fundraising and bequests

$8.1 million

$7.7 million

Media mentions

856

1163

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income On a like for like basis, annual turnover increased from $85.9

communication to the scientific and medical community.

million to $88.3 million. With the one-off revenues from the

This enables key discoveries to be more quickly adopted and

Commonwealth Government grant and accrued interest

translated to ensure better outcomes for children. In 2011,

($66.6 million) and the associated fundraising campaign

we had 632 papers published, up from 564 in 2010. This

($7.8 million), 2011 revenue increased to $162.7 million.

included 171 in the world’s highest-ranked journals.

grants

staff

Grants from Government and external funding bodies are

There were 1512 paid staff, students and honoraries at the

awarded based on the quality and significance of research.

Institute in 2011. This number includes staff from The Royal

In 2011, we secured $26.3 million from the National Health

Children’s Hospital and allied health professionals and

& Medical Research Council.

University of Melbourne academics who conduct research

international grants

within Murdoch Childrens.

fundraising

We received $2.5 million in grants from international funding bodies in 2011 to support research into pneumonia, allergies

Our team engages with the community to raise monies to

and premature birth.

seed fund our research to get it to the point where larger

publications

grants can be attracted. In 2011, our fundraising, donation and bequest income totalled $7.7 million, excluding the $7.8 million raised from the campaign fundraising.

When our researchers make discoveries, their work is submitted to peer-reviewed journals around the world for

chairman’s report 2011 summary Murdoch Childrens consolidated its reputation as one of the

These results reflect the continued hard work and commitment

leading medical research institutes in Australia. Our results in

of Director Professor Terry Dwyer, his executive team and all of

grant funding, research publication, income growth and

the researchers and staff. I thank them for the contribution to

fundraising resulted in 2011 being a highly successful year.

our success.

Highlights for 2011 included:

celebrating 25 years

• Competitive grant funding secured from the National Health & Medical Research Council (NHMRC) totalled

Murdoch Childrens celebrated its 25 year anniversary in 2011.

$26.3 million. This was the highest level of NHMRC

Highlights of the scientific discoveries and achievements of the

funding awarded to an Australian independent medical

Institute over this period are listed in this report. This important

research institute in 2011.

celebration gave us the opportunity to acknowledge our Patron,

• Annual turnover increased from $85.9 million to

Dame Elisabeth Murdoch AC DBE, her family and other

$162.7 million. This was due to a $66.6 million

founding donors who gave generous support to establish an

Commonwealth Government grant together with the

independent child health research institute in Melbourne.

accrued interest for the new building and a sum of

Murdoch Childrens is today comparable in size and output to

$7.8 million from campaign fundraising.

some of the leading child health research institutes globally, a

• Publication output, an important measure of new

tremendous achievement. We acknowledge those who have

knowledge creation, increased to 632 academic articles,

contributed to that journey, and look forward to an equally

up from 564 in the previous year.

distinguished future.

• Donors and supporters generously gave more than $7.7 million to support our research programs.

our move to new premises It is pleasing to report a very successful move to new research premises within the redeveloped Royal Children’s Hospital.

annual report 2011 > chairman’s

Funding for our new premises included a Federal Government

report

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the future

grant and accrued interest of $66.6 million through the Health and Hospitals Fund enabling expansion our facilities to

Over the past 25 years, Murdoch Childrens has

20,000 square metres, as well as support from Victorian State

demonstrated its ability to make important global

Government through the Department of Health. The new

contributions to child health research, particularly in the

facilities will greatly improve the collaboration between

areas of genetics, premature birth and autoimmune

hospital clinicians and researchers, allowing even better

conditions. As we look to the future, we are very well placed

translation of important discoveries into clinical practice.

to capitalise on our intellectual capital and continue the

governance

formation of strategic collaborations internationally to further consolidate our position among the leading child health institutes in the world. With the support of Government,

Murdoch Childrens is fortunate to benefit from the

funding bodies, our donors, our Campus Partners, The Royal

involvement of highly committed and knowledgeable

Children’s Hospital, the University of Melbourne’s Department

individuals who provide invaluable expertise to the

of Paediatrics and the wider community, we look forward to

Institute through the board and its subcommittees.

building on our achievements.

In 2011 we welcomed Mr Ahmed Fahour, Dr Charles Day and Mr Jason Yeap OAM to the board, and a number of new

Our Director Professor Terry Dwyer will depart the

members to our subcommittees. The continued growth and

organisation in October 2012. Terry leaves to take up a

development of the Institute would not be possible without

prestigious role at the International Agency for Research on

their contribution.

Cancer in Lyon, France, to continue his research as part of the

our supporters

International Childhood Cancer Cohort Consortium (I4C) study into childhood cancer, which involves one million mothers and babies. Terry’s leadership over the past eight years has

The development of Murdoch Childrens over the past 25 years

resulted in the Institute becoming one of the major child heath

into a globally competitive research enterprise demonstrates

research organisations globally. His achievements are many,

the importance and transformational power of philanthropy

and include developing global collaborations, overseeing

to support the development of a major organisation.

significant increases in competitive grant funding, and transitioning the Institute into new premises to be poised

Our donors make a very significant contribution to the success

for our next platform of development.

of the Institute by providing vital funds to priority research areas and projects that need seed funding. To each and every donor, I extend the utmost appreciation and gratitude on behalf of all our researchers whose work you support.

In addition to our annual fundraising program, we extend special thanks to those who gave to our campaign to raise funds for our move to the new building. This included a $10 million challenge grant from Rupert Murdoch and his family, as well as major contributions from a number of other donors. This campaign has now raised nearly $15 million (including pledges) for world-class fit-out, new equipment capability to expand research teams in key priority areas

Mr Leigh Clifford AO

to ensure we continue to build global competitiveness.

Chairman

director’s report new research facility

restructure

There is no question 2011 will be seen as a landmark year for

The new setting will also make it easier to recruit top level

the Institute. The year saw another substantial increase in our

staff from all over the globe as well as locally. Already we have

measurable outcomes – grants obtained and scientific papers

made senior appointments of individuals to core areas such as

published – reflecting the scientific competitiveness of our work.

bioinformatics and genetic statistics. During the year, there was

Despite the fact we have had to weather the global economic

also creation of two new Associate Director positions, which

crisis, we have increased our outputs substantially.

will oversee development of research strategy and the newly created ‘Affinity Groups’. Professor Sheena Reilly was appointed

The exciting thing is that we have been achieving this while many

Associate Director of Clinical and Public Health and Professor

of our research teams have occupied outdated research space,

Andrew Sinclair was appointed Associate Director of Laboratory

with many also in temporary accommodation awaiting the

Sciences. Affinity Group Leaders were named, and progress

completion of our new research facility. This new 20,000 square

has already been made on significant initiatives through the

metre development is a state-of-the-art construction. Our teams

establishment of these groups. This will strengthen our research

transferred to this facility in November, and from the start it has

into areas such as adolescents, neurodevelopment, healthcare

been clear this new environment will give us a real boost in our

innovation, cancer, allergy, autoimmune conditions, genomics

quest to find answers to health problems facing today’s children.

and personalised medicine.

Its design fosters easy interaction between team members in different parts of the organisation. This facilitates our strategy to

research excellence

build more complex interdisciplinary teams that we believe will find answers faster to the problems we are investigating. The

When our researchers make discoveries, their work is submitted

incorporation of the facility into the fabric of The Royal Children’s

to peer-reviewed journals around the world for communication

Hospital, with close proximity to the University of Melbourne’s

to the scientific and medical professions. This enables key

Department of Paediatrics, means that our close operational

discoveries to be more quickly adopted and translated to

interaction with our two campus partners will be enhanced.

ensure better outcomes for children. We published 632 papers

annual report 2011 > director’s

in 2011, of these, 171 were in the world’s most prestigious

report

13

donors

medical journals. This is compared with 154 in 2010.

As always, donations are integral to our success. While we Some interesting and important findings from among these

are very good at securing large competitive grants, including

publications were:

those from NHMRC, we could not get these grants without

• A world-first international collaborative study involving

the research being first seed funded through donations. I am

the Institute, the Menzies Research Institute, Tasmania,

pleased that in very tough economic times we had another

and investigators in the USA and Finland, showed that the

successful year in fundraising, with income totalling $7.7 million

association between childhood obesity and cardiovascular risk

in 2011. Our research again received support from The Royal

is reduced when obese children become non-obese as adults.

Children’s Hospital Foundation, including income raised through

• Researchers identified a gene that causes a severe form

the Good Friday Appeal. I would like to thank those who

of osteoarthritis. The breakthrough, which was published

supported the Appeal, as well as our donors for their ongoing

in Nature Genetics, could ultimately help develop new

support and interest. I acknowledge the support provided by

therapeutic treatments for all types of arthritis.

our Development Board, led by Suzi Carp and Steven Casper,

• An international study that found mental disorders such as major depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are the leading cause of disability in young people worldwide.

In 2011, income awarded by the Federal Government’s National Health & Medical Research Council (NHMRC) totalled $26.3 million. This will help us fund 27 research projects and 20 fellowships and scholarships. This is a major achievement

for their role in helping us to achieve this result.

looking ahead Whilst our 25th year was a wonderful time to reflect on the considerable contribution the Institute has made, we are very focused on the future, to build on past successes. After years of sustained growth, development and organisational change, next year’s focus will be to consolidate and embed those

considering the competitiveness of the process and the flat

changes. We will also continue to focus on strengthening

funding environment for NHMRC. We also received $3 million

and further building our international collaborations, as

funding from the State Government’s Operational Infrastructure

global interaction is a priority moving forward.

Support scheme administered through the Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development. This

I thank our staff, Board committees, our Patron Dame Elisabeth

was an increase of 9.5 per cent on last year’s funding.

Murdoch and Ambassador Sarah Murdoch for their ongoing

25 year anniversary

support and dedication. Thank you also to all the researchers and staff for their hard work and determination, and for their contributions in improving

As well as the move to our new home, the Institute celebrated its

the health and wellbeing of

25th anniversary in 2011. It has been 25 years since the Institute

children worldwide.

was established as the Murdoch Institute for Research into Birth Defects, subsequently The Murdoch Institute, a world-class centre focused on genetics research and clinical genetic services. In 2000, the Institute merged with The Royal Children’s Hospital Research Institute to form what is today known as the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, and the scope of research was broadened to have an all-encompassing focus on child health. Over our 25 year history, the achievements have been many; today’s children are

Professor Terry Dwyer

the beneficiaries of our research discoveries. Our most prominent

AO MD MPH

research discoveries are highlighted in this annual report.

Director

organisational chart The Royal Children’s Hospital Professor Christine Kilpatrick

University of Melbourne, Department of Paediatrics Professor Paul Monagle

Murdoch Childrens Research Institute

Murdoch Childrens Research Institute Chairman Leigh Clifford

Director Professor Terry Dwyer

Associate Director, Clinical & Public Health/Research Enablement & Funding/Healthy Wellbeing & Policy Professor Sheena Reilly

Research Groups

Theme Director, Cell Biology Development & Disease Professor John Bateman

Research Groups

Research Groups

Theme Director, Critical Care & Neuroscience Professor Vicki Anderson

Research Groups

Research Groups

Theme Director, Population Health Genes & Environment A/Professor Katie Allen

Research Groups

Research Groups

Theme Director, Genetic Disorders Professor Andy Choo

Research Groups

Research Groups

Research Groups

Core Groups

Quantitative Sciences

Affinity Groups

Victorian Clinical Genetics Services Board Chairman Professor Terry Dwyer

Clinical Research Development Office/ Australian Paediatric Pharmacology Research Unit

Scientific Services Theme Director, Infection & Immunity Professor Andy Giraud

Research Groups

Research Groups

Associate Director Laboratory Sciences Professor Andrew Sinclair Victorian Clinical Genetics Services Director A/Professor David Amor Chief Operating Officer Mr Brent Dankesreither Research Strategy Dr MaryAnne Aitken Public Relations & Development Ms Alyssa Jones

Genetic Health Services Victoria

Corporate Services

VCGS Pathology

annual report 2011 > boards

& committees

15

board of directors Mr Leigh Clifford AO, Chairman Non Executive Director 2007 - 2009, Chairman from December 2009, Chairman of Qantas Airways Ltd, Director of Bechtel Group Inc (USA), Chairman of Bechtel Australia Pty Ltd and Senior Advisor to Kholberg Kravis and Roberts Mr Ian Miller, Deputy Chairman Non Executive Director from 2007, Executive Chairman of The Burnham Group, Former Ernst & Young Partner

Dr Charles Day Non Executive Director from February 2011, Project Director at the University of Melbourne, Director of Bionic Vision Technologies and the Oral Health CRC Professor Terry Dwyer AO Executive Director from 2004, International Scientific Advisory Board for UK BioBank, Board member of the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

Mr Martin Armstrong Non Executive Director from 1997, Principal of Plante & Henty, Chairman of Carnbrea & Co Ltd, Director of The Jack Brockhoff Foundation and other public, private and non-profit organisations

Mr Ahmed Fahour Non Executive Director from February 2011, Managing Director and CEO of Australia Post, Chairman of the Rip Curl Group, and a Director of AUX Investments

Mr Anthony Beddison AO Non Executive Director from 2004, Chairman, The Royal Children’s Hospital and the Beddison Group of Companies

Professor Christine Kilpatrick Non Executive Director from 2008, Chief Executive Officer of The Royal Children’s Hospital

Mrs Janet Calvert-Jones AO Non Executive Director from 1986, Director of Herald & Weekly Times Limited, Chairman of Tapestry Foundation of Victoria

Professor Paul Monagle Non Executive Director from 2008, Stevenson Professor, Department of Paediatrics, the University of Melbourne

Mrs Suzi Carp Non Executive Director from 2006, Director of River Capital, Chair of Pilotlight Australia

Mrs Judy Paterson Non Executive Director from 1996, Director of Ace Radio Broadcasters

Mr James Craig Non Executive Director from 2009, Chairman of Macquarie Capital Advisers, Director of other public and non-profit organisations

Mr Jason Yeap OAM Non Executive Director from February 2011, Chairman of Mering Corporation Pty Ltd, trustee of the National Gallery of Victoria, former Senior Partner of Stamford Law Firm and Director of Herbaceutic Holdings Ltd, China

Mrs Patricia Cross Non Executive Director from 2005 – Resigned 3 March 2011, Non Executive Director of National Australia Bank, Qantas Airways, JB Were and the Grattan Institute

Company Secretary Mr Brent Dankesreither Chief Operating Officer

board committees Audit, Finance & Risk Management Committee Monitors the systems and controls established to safeguard the Institute’s assets.

Chairman, Mr Ian Miller Mr Viren Abeyasinghe Mr Martin Armstrong Mr Brent Dankesreither Professor Terry Dwyer AO Mr David Gillespie

Commercialisation & IP Committee Advises the Board on business development opportunities for biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries and on related issues including patent protection.

Chairman, Mr Bruce Grey Mr Martin Armstrong Ms Angeline Bartholomeusz Mr Brent Dankesreither Dr Charles Day Professor Terry Dwyer AO Ms Sue Michelmore Mr George Raitt Associate Professor Howard Slater (from September 2011) Professor George Werther Invited to attend Ms Michelle Baker (from March 2011)

Development Board Provides advice on fundraising, marketing and communications activities to engage donors and supporters.

Co-Chair, Mrs Suzi Carp Co-Chair, Mr Steven Casper Ms Lisa Bond Mrs Susannah Calvert-Jones Mr Andrew Cox Mr Tony Davies Mrs Victoria Gillespie Mrs Tanya Hamersfeld Ms Alyssa Jones

Mr Clark Kirby Ms Marisa Leone Mrs Kate Mohr Mrs Sarah Murdoch Mr Peter Mastos (from February 2011) Mr Adrian Redlich Ms Emma Rosenberg Ms Fiona Rowland (to March 2011) Mrs Dahlia Sable Ms Ariane Baker (from June 2011) Mr Anthony Coops (from February 2011)

Investment Committee Advises on the financial investments of the Institute.

Chairman, Mr James Craig Mr Viren Abeyasinghe Ms Suzi Carp (to November 2011) Mrs Patricia Cross (to March 2011) Mr Brent Dankesreither Mr Peter Griffin AM Mr Ben James Mr Dominic Leary Mr Paul Martin Mr Ian Miller Mr John Nickson Ms Ariane Baker (from May 2011)

Remuneration Committee Chairman, Mr Leigh Clifford AO Mr Martin Armstrong Mr Ian Miller

VCGS Board Oversees the activities of the Victorian Clinical Genetics Services, an incorporated subsidiary of Murdoch Childrens.

Chairman, Professor Terry Dwyer AO Mr Brent Dankesreither Mr David Gillespie Professor Stephen Holdsworth A/Professor Andrew Kornberg Professor Finlay Macrae Mrs Judy Paterson Invited to attend A/Professor David Amor Mr Stephen Dyt

annual report 2011 > boards

& committees

17

executive committee Responsible for the management of research strategy, operational issues, research funds and infrastructure.

Professor Terry Dwyer AO Director

Professor Sheena Reilly Health, Wellbeing and Policy (Acting)

Mr Brent Dankesreither Chief Operating Officer

Professor Andrew Sinclair Associate Director Laboratory Sciences

A/Professor Katie Allen Population Health & Environment

Invited to attend

Professor Vicki Anderson Critical Care & Neurosciences

Dr MaryAnne Aitken Research Strategy

Professor John Bateman Cell Biology, Development & Disease

Ms Michele Gellatly Head of Human Resources

Professor Andy Choo Genetic Disorders

Ms Alyssa Jones Head of PR & Development

Professor Andy Giraud Infection & Immunity

Ms Julia Malone Grants Office Manager

research priority

allergy & autoimmune Allergies have emerged as one of the major public health

As part of the clinical trial, participants are given an oral dose

problems in children in developed countries during the 20th

of peanut protein, as well as an immune modulator in the

century. Australia and New Zealand have among the highest

form of probiotic bacteria, once daily over 18 months to

prevalence of allergic disorders in the developed world. It’s

induce tolerance. The research provides a unique

important to understand how and why allergic and immune

opportunity for researchers to investigate the key immune

disorders are increasing. Our team is focused on this priority

changes driving resolution of peanut allergy. Assessing the

area to help prevent and treat these conditions.

new information from the study has great potential to lead to novel treatments and potential cures.

Donations helped us invest more than $285,000 into allergy and autoimmune research in 2011, which allowed

Our team was also awarded more than $450,000 by the

researchers to leverage a further $3.2 million in grants from

NHMRC to investigate the dramatic increase in food allergy

the National Health & Medical Research Council (NHMRC).

and the consistent increase in early vitamin D insufficiency.

This is up from $2.7 million in the previous year.

Some hypotheses suggest these two have a causal link;

finding answers to food allergy

however, it has never been directly tested. The study, which will use data from two existing NHMRC-funded studies, aims to learn more about the prevention of common health

Peanut allergy is of great concern as it is usually lifelong, the

problems such as allergy, autoimmune disease, asthma

commonest cause of anaphylaxis in children, and the most

and cardiovascular disease.

common cause of death from food anaphylaxis.

The immune mechanisms that determine how you develop or grow out of a food allergy remain unclear. In 2011, our researchers received $584,000 from the NHMRC to examine what happens when you grow out of a peanut allergy.

Food allergy affects up to 10 per cent of children, and rates are rising.

annual report 2011 > research

priority

19

Associate Professor Katie Allen with Azumi and Junko Sakamoto

food allergy on the increase When Azumi was a year old she was allergic to cashew

The study, published in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical

nuts and egg whites and had suffered sesame-induced

Immunology, assessed more than 5000 one-year-old

anaphylaxis. Now, at four-and-a-half years of age, Azumi

children to determine their allergy to a range of common

has outgrown her egg white and sesame allergy, but is still

foods including raw egg, peanuts, sesame, shellfish and

allergic to cashews. Azumi is one of more than 5000 children

cow’s milk. Infants underwent skin prick testing, and those

who are part of a Murdoch Childrens’ study called

with any sensitisation to one or more foods were invited to

HealthNuts, which aims to better understand the natural

attend an allergy research clinic and underwent an oral

history of allergic disorders including food allergy, asthma,

food challenge.

eczema and hay fever, and the relationship of risk factors for development of these conditions in the first six years of life.

Katie said the rise of allergies was similar to that of the asthma epidemic in the 1990s, and equally as mysterious.

Azumi’s mother Junko jumped at the chance for Azumi to

“Just one generation ago, food allergies like the ones

be part of the study after being approached by researchers

experienced by children today were almost unheard of.

at her daughter’s one-year-old immunisation. “Azumi had

If you went into the community and asked adults how

eczema, so I wanted to find out whether she also had a food

many had food allergies when they were kids, almost none

allergy, and through the study we discovered that she did,”

did. But if you walk into a classroom now, almost every class

Junko said.

has at least one child with a food allergy,” Katie said.

It was through this HealthNuts study, led by Associate

Katie and her team agree that the increase may be linked

Professor Katie Allen, that researchers found more than

in some way to modifiable environmental factors such as

10 per cent of one-year-olds had an allergic reaction to an

diet, sunlight and microbes, and other modern lifestyle-

oral food challenge, a rate that was higher than expected.

related issues, and requires further investigation.

maternal obesity risk for early life asthma Our research suggests being obese during pregnancy dramatically increases the risk of your child having asthma before their 10th birthday. Researchers found there was a clear increase in the risk of childhood asthma with increasing level of obesity in the mother, with the children of very obese mothers having a 57 per cent increase in the

study challenges baby formula claim

odds of requiring asthma medications between eight and 10 years of age. In the largest study on the association between maternal obesity during pregnancy and the risk of childhood asthma, researchers – including Dr Adrian

Our researchers found hypoallergenic baby formula does not

Lowe from the Institute – drew on data collected by the

reduce a baby’s risk of developing allergies in later life. Despite

Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare. In

the formula being recommended in public health guidelines

collaboration with Umeå University, Sweden, researchers

set out by the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology

studied more than 189,000 children born to 129,239

and Allergy, the study found there was no benefit in using

mothers in Stockholm, Sweden. In a letter to the editor in

hypoallergenic (partially hydrolysed whey) formula to prevent

The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, researchers

allergies in high-risk infants up to seven years of age,

found children of very obese mothers had the highest rate of

compared with a conventional cow’s milk-based formula.

asthma medications use (10.3 per cent), but even children of mothers who were only slightly overweight had an increased

The trial involved 620 infants and assessed whether using

risk (7.8 per cent) when compared to children born to

the formula decreased the risk of allergy in later life. Infants

mothers with normal weight (6.9 per cent).

in the study were given either hypoallergenic, cow’s milk or soy formula after the cessation of breastfeeding. Allergy

Lead author Dr Adrian Lowe said the link could potentially

testing was undertaken at six, 12 and 24 months, and the

explain some of the increase in incidences of childhood

children were followed up again at six or seven years of age.

asthma during recent decades. “The prevalence of both asthma and obesity has increased over the past five decades

Lead authors David Hill and Dr Adrian Lowe said their

in westernised countries, as has the proportion of mothers

findings did not support the recommendations that

who are obese or overweight. If the association between

hypoallergenic formula should be used after breastfeeding

maternal body mass index and asthma risk in children

as a preventive strategy for infants at high risk of allergenic

is causal, it might explain between 11 and 13 per cent

disease. In fact, the hypoallergenic formula did not show

of childhood asthma,” Adrian said.

any beneficial effect, when compared with a normal cow’s milk-based formula, for the prevention of childhood eczema,

The study hypothesised that maternal obesity may increase

asthma or hay fever in children up to seven years of age.

the risk that a child will develop asthma by increasing the

The study was published in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical

child’s own risk of obesity, influencing the infant’s immune

Immunology, in collaboration with the University of

system towards allergies during pregnancy or by changing

Melbourne and Monash University.

the metabolic balance of the child. “Although the underlying mechanism to explain these results remains unclear, these results suggests that, if successful, public health campaigns to combat obesity may have a beneficial effect on the rate of childhood asthma.”

annual report 2011 > research

link between childhood eczema and adult asthma

priority

21

Nine-year-old Lauren Ong, who has several allergies, undergoes an allergy test by nurse Christine Axelrad as Pamela Martin looks on Photo Richard Timbury/Casamento Photography

Children who have eczema, particularly when occurring

The participants were initially assessed about their allergies

with hay fever, are nine times more likely to develop

and childhood environment in 1967, at seven years of age,

allergic asthma in their 40s. The study published in The

and were followed up in 2004, at the age of 44. “In the study

Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, in collaboration

we saw that childhood eczema, particularly when hay fever

with the University of Melbourne, Menzies Research

also occurs, is a very strong predictor of who will suffer from

Institute and Monash University, reported on evidence

allergic asthma in adult life. The implications of the study are

from a clinical study of around 1400 people and found that

that prevention and rigorous treatment of childhood eczema

up to 30 per cent of allergic asthma within the population

and hay fever may prevent the persistence and development

sample could be attributed to a history of childhood

of asthma,� lead author Pamela Martin, a University of

eczema and hay fever.

Melbourne PhD student based at Murdoch Childrens, said.

research priority

brain & mind one in 12 teens self-harm A world-first study by our researchers found that one in 12 teens

Professor George Patton said the findings should offer

self-harm during their adolescent years. In collaboration with

some reassurance to parents of adolescents who self -

King’s College in London, researchers found teens were most

harm, but said it’s important to recognise when treatment

likely to self-harm at 15 years of age, but most young people

is needed. “The study found most of this self-harming that

gave up their self-harming behaviour as they entered adulthood.

happens during adolescence resolves without medical

The study, which was published in The Lancet, found 10 per cent

intervention, probably as young people learn new strategies

of females reported self-harm at least once during adolescence,

for avoiding or dealing with distressing emotions. However,

compared with 6 per cent of males, translating to a 60 per cent

associated mental health problems did not always resolve

increased risk of self-harm in girls compared with boys.

in the same way,” he said.

As part of the study, almost 2000 Victorian students were

“Although many young people work out ways of dealing with

asked about recent self-harm on four occasions during their

emotional problems, there is need for treatment when these

teenage years, and were followed up from early adolescence

problems are persisting. We found that adolescents with high

through to their late 20s. The study found during adolescence,

levels of depression and anxiety continued to have high risks

self-harm was independently associated with symptoms of

for self-harm into young adulthood. It’s important to

depression and anxiety, antisocial behaviour, high-risk alcohol

recognise and treat persisting depression and anxiety,

use and smoking. Adolescent symptoms of depression and

as this will continue to be an important part of suicide

anxiety also predicted later self-harm in young adulthood,

prevention in young adults.”

even in those who had not harmed themselves as a teenager.

More girls than boys self-harm. While most teenagers abandon the practice as they mature, some will remain at risk.

annual report 2011 > brain

& mind

23

working conditions impact on mental health of mothers

premature birth

In 2011, our researchers were involved in a study which

80 per cent of preterm babies are born between 32-36

found poor employment conditions can have a significant

weeks’ gestation, and are categorised as late preterm (LPT).

impact on the mental health of mothers who return to work

Over the past few decades, many studies have focused on

before their child turns one. The findings show that even

very preterm or very low birth-weight infants, but there has

when accepted risk factors are taken into account, issues

been little research on the outcomes of LPT children.

such as lack of access to paid parental leave, inflexible hours and job insecurity are linked to psychological

There is now emerging evidence from other countries that

distress in mothers of young children.

shows LPT birth is associated with higher rates of morbidity, an increased risk of cognitive and motor development delay,

The study collected data from 1300 mothers who took part

and developmental delay. But why this occurs is unknown.

in the Federal Government’s Longitudinal Study of Australian

To date, there are no published Australian developmental

Children. It found nearly half of the 40 per cent of Australian

outcome studies of LPT infants, so the severity of this

mothers who returned to work in the first year of their child’s

problem in Australia is unclear. To answer this question,

life did so earlier than they wanted to, and only one in five

researchers including Dr Jeanie Cheong are conducting a

returned to jobs that provided optimal conditions for

study which aims to understand the effect of LPT birth on

balancing their work and family commitments. Women who

brain development. The world-first study will incorporate

had the least favourable employment conditions were one

detailed neurobehavioral assessments in infancy, brain

and a half times more likely to report psychological distress

magnetic imaging (MRI) and developmental assessments

than women with the most optimal employment conditions.

at two years of age.

The research, which was published in Archives of Women’s

“This comprehensive approach will enable a global

Mental Health, is part of a wider Parenting Australian Children

understanding of the impact of late preterm birth on

collaboration between the Parenting Research Centre and

brain development and developmental outcomes. The

our researchers, and aims to generate new knowledge about

results from this study will have vital implications for timing

contemporary influences on parenting and child wellbeing

of semi-elective LPT delivery and identification of ‘high-risk’

in Australia.

LPT infants for early intervention,” Jeanie said. The study was awarded more than $800,000 by the National Health & Medical Research Council in 2011.

The Dench family: Noah, 3, dad Martin, Leo, 6, and mum Brigitte Photo Š Newspix

research priority

brain & mind being optimistic is good for your health Our team found being optimistic does make a difference in teen mental health and behaviour, especially against the onset of depressive symptoms. The study, published in Pediatrics, assessed 5634 students aged 12 to 14 years over three years on optimistic thinking style, emotional problems, substance use and antisocial behaviours.

Researchers found levels of optimism in boys remained stable but in girls there were marked falls in optimism across the study. At any given time, optimistic teens were doing much better in terms of health risks. Most importantly, risks for the later onset of depression in adolescents who reported high levels of optimism were almost half those of the least optimistic. Optimism was also protective against the onset of substance abuse and antisocial behaviours such as theft, interpersonal violence and property damage.

childhood brain injury

Researchers, in collaboration with the University of Queensland, looked at more than 200 school-aged children and found more severe injury affected attention skills most negatively. However, they found children showed

Researchers published a study in The Journal of Head

significant recovery over time. There were few interaction

Trauma Rehabilitation, which examined children who had

effects, with severity groups exhibiting similar levels of

experienced a traumatic brain injury (TBI) to determine their

recovery over the six months post-TBI. Lead researcher

recovery of attention from three to six months post-injury.

Professor Vicki Anderson said the findings have important

Traumatic brain injury during childhood can cause a range

clinical and educational implications, suggesting that children

of physical and mental health problems including co-

with TBI, and particularly those with more serious injuries,

ordination difficulties, speech problems, social anxiety and

are most vulnerable to attention deficits in the acute stages

learning difficulties. The study aimed to identify the effects

post-injury. “It is important that schools and families are

of injury severity and time since injury on performance, and

aware of these limitations and structure expectations

to explore whether complex attention skills such as divided

accordingly. For example, gradual return to school should

attention and attention control were more vulnerable

be considered, and in the early stages of recovery, children

and slower to recover than simple attention skills.

should be provided with sufficient rest time, with reduced expectations for tasks such as homework,� she said.

annual report 2011 > brain

& mind

25

helping parents who have a seriously ill child Six-year-old Leo is in remission from leukaemia, having

treatment. Researchers hope their work will increase

battled the disease since he was two. Leo’s parents took part

understanding about how parents adapt to their child’s

in a pilot Murdoch Childrens and Parenting Research Centre

illness and how to identify parents and families who may

program that aims to improve the lives of families who have

benefit from psychosocial support.

children diagnosed with a serious illness or injury. The Take a Breath studies will help researchers to better understand the

The pilot study, which was completed in 2011, showed the

emotional and social impacts that serious illness or injury

parent program helped parents improve their sense of

have on parents, children and their families.

wellbeing and they reported feeling less guilty, sorry or uncertain. A total of 320 parents will participate in the study

Two projects form the study: a survey of parents and

over the next two years. The study is supported with major

children, and the development and evaluation of a program

grants from the Victorian Department of Human Services,

for parents to reduce their distress and help them adapt to

North and West Metropolitan Region, the Pratt Foundation

their child’s illness and the requirements of the medical

and the Children’s Cancer Centre Foundation.

research priority

genetics discovery highlights new way to diagnose serious genetic disease

The findings, which were published in Cell Metabolism, were made after researchers used next-generation DNA-sequencing technologies to test more than 1000 genes encoding proteins active in the mitochondria in two individuals with Leigh syndrome.Â

Our researchers led a collaborative study with the Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, which discovered a new

Unlike current tests, which test one gene at a time, this

genetic defect that can lead to Leigh syndrome. Leigh

technology allows scientists to screen many genes at the

syndrome is a rare and potentially fatal neurometabolic

same time to establish a diagnosis more quickly and

disorder that affects the central nervous system. In Leigh

cost-effectively. It also means patients in the future may

syndrome, infants are born apparently healthy only to

not need to undergo painful muscle biopsies, and could

develop movement and breathing disorders that worsen

instead have a simple blood test. The findings highlighted

over time often leading to death by the age of three. The

the value of next-generation sequencing technologies for

problem is that the mitochondria responsible for

diagnosing rare diseases and learning more about the

powering their cells can’t keep up with the demand for

underlying biology.Â

energy in their developing brains.

Each year, eight million children are born with a serious birth defect of genetic origin. The genetic cause remains unknown for more than half of these conditions. We study genetics to ensure that future generations are healthy.

annual report 2011 > genetics

27

Kawasaki patient Axel Molina has his heart checked during a check-up with Dr David Burgner Photo © Newspix

The gene researchers uncovered encodes an enzyme in

kawasaki disease

mitochondria known as MTFMT. In addition to the clinical implications, the new findings also offer insight into the

The mystery of Kawasaki disease – a poorly understood,

biology of human mitochondria. Previously, mutations

relatively common and serious childhood condition – is

in more than 10 different genes had been shown to cause

now a step closer to being solved after a team of

defects in human mitochondrial translation. It is now clear

international researchers, including researchers from

that the MTFMT gene is also required for efficient

the Institute, identified two genes that are important in

mitochondrial translation.

determining who develops the disease. The study, which was published in Nature Genetics, found that children who

Although it isn’t clear in the case of Leigh syndrome

have had Kawasaki disease have naturally occurring

whether a precise molecular diagnosis will necessarily

variation in two key genes involved in the immune response.

lead to therapies, the findings represented a meaningful advance. Lead researcher Professor David Thorburn said

Kawasaki disease is a serious illness affecting young children.

that even without a remedy, it can be reassuring for families

It causes symptoms including high fever, rash, swollen hands,

to have a definitive answer. “Patients are often referred

red eyes, enlarged glands in the neck and redness of the

around from one doctor to another. A diagnosis at least

tongue and lips. In up to a quarter of untreated children, the

provides some closure to the diagnostic odyssey, even

blood vessels supplying the heart – the coronary arteries –

without a treatment,” he said.

are affected, sometimes with serious long-term consequences. Kawasaki disease is a leading cause of heart

“Diagnosis of the disease along with its specific genetic cause

disease acquired during childhood. The heart problems can

can also be informative about the risk a couple has of having

persist through life and may require coronary artery bypass

another affected child. The diagnostic information can help

or, rarely, even heart transplant.

in decisions about whether and how to pursue alternative means of having a healthy child.”

In the largest study ever to have been conducted on Kawasaki disease collaborating physicians and scientists from more

research priority

genetics

than 70 centres in 11 countries analysed almost 500,000

lead to improved diagnosis and clinical management of patients

genetic markers in European-Caucasian cases

with DSD. The international DSD network already has more than

and controls, and then confirmed the findings in Kawasaki

700 patients registered from Australia, South East Asia, the USA

disease patients from Australia, Europe, the USA, Canada

and India. The registry is expected to exceed 2000 patients and

and Asia. They identified the two mutated genes in five

be the largest database of its kind in the world.

different cohorts of Kawasaki disease patients.

It is not possible to provide an accurate diagnosis for many Dr David Burgner, one of the lead researchers of the study,

DSD patients, making clinical management difficult.

said the discovery is an important step towards

The international database will be used to establish the

understanding the condition. “Kawasaki disease is familiar

underlying cause of these conditions, which in turn will

to every paediatrician, but there is no diagnostic test and it

provide an accurate diagnosis and improve the clinical

can be difficult to diagnose. Similarly, as we don’t fully

outcome for patients.

understand the condition, current treatment is non-specific and it doesn’t always prevent heart damage – the most

cancer research

serious complication,” he said.

Researchers were awarded more than $580,000 by the National “However, in this study, we discovered that when either of

Health & Medical Research Council (NHMRC) to look at cell

these two genes are mutated, this significantly contributes

division and the role it plays in cancer development. When cells

to the risk of developing Kawasaki disease, which is a major

divide, their DNA must be copied and distributed faultlessly into

step forward into understanding and treating this disease.

the new cells. Defects in the factors that control this process

We hope that these findings are an important piece of the

will result in serious health problems, including cancer. Results

jigsaw of Kawasaki disease and will help with the search for

gained from this project are expected to significantly increase

easier diagnosis and better treatment.”

our understanding of how cancer cells control the replication of their DNA and therefore, their own fate.

new registry for disorders of sex development

In a separate study, our researchers will examine centromeres, which is a region of DNA typically found near the middle of a chromosome. Defective centromeres can result in genome

In 2011, we were involved in developing an online web

instability, infertility and development of cancers. Researchers

portal which will serve as a secure national and international

will study how the identity of a centromere is maintained and

database for patients with disorders of sex development

inherited after each cell division, which will help them to

(DSD). The portal will be utilised to initiate large-scale research

understand cell growth and cancer development. The study

studies to look at the underlying genetics, ongoing health

was awarded $307,000 by the NHMRC in 2011. About 600

issues for DSD patients, and make it easier for doctors and

children are diagnosed with cancer in Australia each year.

researchers to knowledge-share. Ultimately, the research will

annual report 2011 > genetics

arthritis breakthrough

29

Dr Shireen Lamande and study participant Ian Begg

In a study published in Nature Genetics, our researchers

Dr Shireen Lamande, who led the study, said the discovery

identified a gene that causes a severe form of osteoarthritis.

represented a major step forward for arthritis research.

The findings were made after researchers studied three

“The next step for us is to understand the cell signalling

unrelated families with a form of inherited hand osteoarthritis

pathways that are changed by the mutations and lead to

and discovered the mutated gene, called TRPV4.

arthritis. This will help us develop therapies that specifically target those pathways and prevent the disease,” Shireen said.

The TRPV4 gene regulates calcium entry into the cell and is important for normal function of cartilage cells. Working

The gene is also expressed in nerves and is responsible for

with collaborators from the Pharmacology Department at

increased sensitivity to pain, meaning the finding could also

the University of Melbourne, researchers found that cells

have implications for people with cancer and other painful

don’t function properly when the gene is mutated, causing

chronic conditions. “Understanding more about how this

the arthritic condition. Importantly, researchers at the

gene works will help us understand how drug treatments will

Institute also found TRVP4 gene expression was dramatically

affect the different conditions caused by TRPV4 and which

reduced in a mouse model of arthritis and the greatest

drugs might be best suited for each condition.”

decrease was seen in mice with the most severe arthritis, confirming that altered TRVP4 activity is associated with

Ian Begg, along with members of his family, participated in

arthritic disease.

the study. Four generations of the Begg family are affected with the condition. “It’s nice to know why we are the way we

The breakthrough could ultimately lead to the development

are, and now that the problem has been identified, there

of new therapeutic treatments for all forms of arthritis. The

may be answers that can help,” Ian said. “The condition

discovery also raises the possibility that the gene may also

restricts your hand movements as you get older and can

play a role in age or injury-related arthritis.

cause a lot of pain, so if this discovery leads to some form of treatment it would be fantastic for future generations, the younger family members as well as me as I get older.”

research priority

obesity

The number of overweight Australian children has

Lead researcher Professor Melissa Wake said some parents

doubled in recent years. Today, around a quarter of

of overweight children were even concerned that their child

Australian children are overweight or obese, with health

was underweight. “We thought maybe it was just the cut-off

problems such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure,

point that public health doctors have set, so we wondered

asthma, hypertension and sleep apnoea directly attributed

if there was a definite weight cut-off that parents would

to childhood obesity. Our researchers are committed to

respond to. But we found there was not. There were lots

helping curb obesity among children and adolescents, and

of parents who were worried when they needn’t be, and

to finding innovative prevention and treatment strategies.

many who perhaps could have been but were not. But

parents opt to weight and see

generally the concern about underweight was far stronger than it should have been, especially given that thinner children are usually pretty healthy,” she said.

Our researchers discovered that many parents find it hard to know if their children are obese. The study, which was

Melissa said the results of the study identified the need

published in the International Journal of Pediatric Obesity,

for weight screening in child health checks to properly

found there was no clearly identifiable weight above which

identify overweight children. “If we really want to know

parents will usually realise their child is overweight. The

which children are overweight or obese, there seems no

study of 4983 preschoolers found that concern from

way around actually weighing and measuring them.

parents about their child’s weight was ‘only modestly’

However, this would involve population screening, and

related to their actual size, and was not triggered by

screening would only be useful once there are acceptable,

any definable body mass index threshold.

effective methods that reliably help overweight children.

The hunt is on, but it does still seem a long way off.”

annual report 2011 > obesity

31

Today, around a quarter of Australian children are overweight or obese, with health problems such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma, hypertension and sleep apnoea directly attributed to childhood obesity.

study questions link between sleep and obesity Despite some international studies suggesting short sleep

Cardiovascular disease affects more than 3.4 million

duration in children is associated with an increased risk

Australians, with one in six Australians affected. Previous

of obesity; our researchers found longer sleep duration

research has shown that overweight or obese children

may not play a part in combating childhood obesity. This

who are obese as adults have an increased risk of type 2

study went further than others by employing cutting-edge

diabetes, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol levels

sleep and body composition measures. It found no

and cardiovascular disease. However, it was not previously

relationship between short sleep and obesity in 133 obese

clear whether the association between childhood obesity

adolescents aged 10-16 attending an American weight

and cardiovascular risk persists when overweight or obese

management clinic.

children become non-obese as adults.

Researchers found those taking part on average slept

Professor Terry Dwyer, chair of the steering committee for

less than the recommended guidelines of more than eight

the global study, said the study demonstrates that it’s never

hours a night. More than half experienced some degree

too late for children to get into shape and reinforces the

of sleep disordered breathing and nearly a quarter had

concept that it’s worthwhile helping overweight and obese

metabolic syndrome. Lead researcher Dr Valerie Sung said

children to reach a normal weight as they become adults.

that, based on their findings, it was premature to expect that lengthening sleep will improve body mass index for

The study, which was conducted in collaboration with

obese adolescents, and that longer sleep duration was if

Tasmania’s Menzies Research Institute and Finland’s

anything associated with worse cholesterol and triglyceride

University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, looked

profiles. The study was published in Sleep.

at long-term follow-up data of more than 6000 people in three countries. Over an interval of almost 25 years, only

impact of childhood obesity can be turned around

15 per cent of children who were of normal weight were

In 2011, we were involved in a world-first international

“The good news is that the study shows that childhood

collaborative study, which showed that the association

obesity does not permanently increase cardiovascular risk

between childhood obesity and cardiovascular risk is

if obesity in adulthood is avoided. However, preventing

reduced when obese children become non-obese as

obesity at all ages is still the key message, as very few obese

adults. The results of the study were published in The

children became non-obese in adulthood,” Terry said.

New England Journal of Medicine.

obese as adults, whereas 82 per cent of those who were obese as children were obese as adults.

Professor Sheena Reilly and Professor John Carlin

research highlights centres of research excellence Murdoch Childrens was successful in being awarded two

issues. “As a result of the data we have captured over the

Centres of Research Excellence grants by the National Health

past 10 years and the Institute’s resources, we are uniquely

& Medical Research Council (NHMRC), each worth $2.5

positioned internationally to advance understandings in the

million over five years. The feat was made more impressive

field of childhood language.”

by the fact only four major universities received more than one of these awards.

The Institute was also awarded $2.5 million by the NHMRC for a Centre of Research Excellence – with collaborating

We were awarded $2.5 million by NHMRC to establish a

partners Monash University and the University of Melbourne ­

Centre for Research Excellence in Childhood Language.

– to create an academic centre for biostatistics research and training across the three campuses.

Spoken language defines the human species and is critical to achieving one’s full potential. Poor language and literary

Professor John Carlin, who heads the new Victorian Centre

skills can cause significant problems for children at school

for Biostatistics (ViCBiostat), explained that it will bring

and later in life. The Centre for Childhood Language will

together leaders in the field of biostatistics in Victoria, with

address how language develops, what goes wrong and

the core aim of fostering the careers of a new generation of

why it matters. Together with researchers from the USA

biostatistical researchers.

and the UK, the team will generate new knowledge to address the gaps in research and do so by working closely

Biostatisticians play a crucial role in medical and public

with policy makers and practitioners.

health research, as they help to design and lead the analysis of many studies ranging from randomised controlled trials

Professor Sheena Reilly, who is leading the Centre, said the

to epidemiological investigations that follow large numbers

Institute is well positioned to address a number of important

of people over many years.

annual report 2011 > research

highlights

33

Although the Centre will be Victoria-based, it is hoped

investigate the condition; which is on top of $1.3 million

the impact will be national. “We would like to see the

awarded to researchers in 2009 by the Foundation.

establishment of a critical mass of advanced trainees and enhanced collaborations on a sufficient scale –

The grant will enable researchers to further their studies

and with enough visibility, to underpin the ongoing

into the different strains of pneumonia-causing bacteria to

development of the discipline. To date in Australia,

help improve vaccinations and develop new ones.

although many health researchers recognise the need,

Pneumonia is caused by bacteria known as pneumococcus,

there have been no vehicles for building the necessary

which has about 90 strains. The current vaccine protects

high-level capacity,� John said.

against only a small number of strains of bacteria. However,

childhood pneumonia

children in developing countries often carry different strains of the bacteria, so even those who have access to the vaccine may not be protected.

Pneumonia is the leading cause of death in children under five worldwide, killing two million children annually,

Working with an international team of scientists, our team

the vast majority in developing countries. In 2011, the

has taken bacterial samples from children in Fiji, Kenya,

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation committed an additional

South Africa, The Gambia, Papua New Guinea, Bangladesh

$1.5 million to help researchers at the Institute to

and the USA.

Poor language and literacy skills can cause major problems in children and stop them from fulfilling their potential in life.

research highlights refugee status report Dr Georgia Paxton led a team based at the

launched by Victorian Government Ministers Lovell

Institute in writing the Refugee Status Report for

(Early Childhood) and Davis (Health) in July 2011.

the Victorian Department of Education and Early Childhood Development.

The report was co-authored with Natalie Smith, Dr Aung Ko Win, Nigisti Mulholland and Dr Suzanne Hood.

The report examined outcomes for refugee children in Victoria across the domains of health, wellbeing,

young males most at risk

learning, development and safety. It drew on multiple datasets; compiling published information and also

We were involved in an international study which found

including previously unpublished Government data, an

young Australian men are three times more likely to die

analysis of Census data, extensive service mapping and

prematurely than male toddlers.

a significant qualitative component examining service delivery. Importantly, the status report also highlighted

The study, published in The Lancet, tracked global

gaps in data and services.

death trends between 1955 and 2004 and found that while mortality rates had fallen overall, rates were

The report detailed the complexity of health, mental

now relatively higher in teenagers and young adults

health and educational issues that occur in refugee

than in young children. The study into youth mortality

children. It found refugee children were far more likely

found the number of children dying aged one to four

to live in poverty after arrival, compared to Victorian

had fallen by about 80 per cent, largely because of

children overall, and less likely to have access to a car

better protection from infectious diseases. However,

or the internet. They were less likely to meet minimum

in the past 50 years, transport injuries, suicides and

standards on benchmark literacy and numeracy testing

homicide rates had risen in older adolescents and young

in school and faced particular challenges in accessing

adults in high and middle income countries. Any gains

education. At the same time, their rates of service use

in mortality from reducing infectious disease deaths in

were generally lower, and the international literature

these age groups had been wiped out by this rise in

suggests the majority of refugee children are resilient

injury deaths.

and grow up to be healthy well-adjusted adults.

Senior author Professor George Patton said the This benchmark report provides an invaluable summary

message from the study was that this young adult age

of the health status of refugee children and is unique in

group should be a priority in order to further reduce

the national and international context. It provides a

deaths in early life, with focused health campaigns

foundation for research and policy development and is

targeting these issues.

already being used for this purpose. The report was

annual report 2011 > research

highlights

35

gestures point to autism diagnosis

partner violence linked to postnatal depression

Our team discovered that toddlers who later go on to be

A study published in BJOG-An International Journal of

diagnosed with autism use fewer gestures. As part of the Early

Obstetrics and Gynaecology found 40 per cent of women

Language in Victoria Study (ELVS), the early developmental

who report depressive symptoms following birth also

skills and behaviour of 1900 children at key ages was

reported intimate partner violence.

measured – including those of 45 children diagnosed with ASD between the ages of three and seven years.

The study looked at more than 1300 women who had given birth to their first child. It found that one in six

The study showed there was a pattern of low gesture use

women reported intimate partner violence in the year

for children with ASD between the ages of eight months up to

after having their first baby. Emotional violence was more

24 months. As early as eight months, early communication

common than physical violence, 14 per cent versus eight

gestures differentiated children with ASD from some of the

per cent. Sixteen per cent of women reported depressive

other children. Early identification and intervention is crucial in

symptoms in the 12 months postpartum.

managing ASD, but previously it had been difficult to diagnose children with the disorder until the age of three or older.

Co-led by Dr Hannah Woolhouse, the study also found that most of the women reporting postnatal depression

It found the decreased use of gestures – such as pointing,

first reported it at six months after birth, or later. The

showing and waving – at 24 months of age, was the main

finding has major implications for clinical practice, with

characteristic that differentiated children with ASD from all

current health guidelines suggesting women should be

other groups of children. These results could revolutionise

screened for postnatal depression in the first three

the way ASD is screened for and provide better outcomes

months after birth, meaning many women who develop

for children with ASD through early intervention programs.

depression after six months will be missed.

research highlights unlocking the mysteries of heart operation Six-year-old Mia Cowley was born with complex congenital heart disease; she has holes in her heart, ventricles in the wrong position, a missing valve and half of her heart failed to form.

Throughout her young life, Mia has had to endure four different operations, including the Fontan heart operation in 2010.

The Fontan procedure is a life-saving medical technique used to treat children born with certain serious heart defects. The procedure involves restructuring the heart so that it can operate effectively using only one ventricle, or pumping chamber, as opposed to two. There are more than 1300 people in Australia and New Zealand who are alive today due to the Fontan procedure.

In 2011, researchers at the Institute established the ‘Fontan Registry’, which will collect valuable health information on Fontan patients living in Australia and New Zealand. It will follow and monitor their health and progress with the aim of determining the size

“The average procedure only lasts up to 20-30 years.

of this population, their life expectancy and their need

After this time, some of these patients may require a heart

for heart transplantation later in life. Mia is part of the

transplant, but it is not yet known how many of them will

registry, which is the largest of its kind in the world.

require it,” Yves said.

A/Professor Yves d’Udekem, who is leading the study,

“With the population of Fontan recipients growing each year,

said 90 per cent of children who have had the

there is a need to develop longer-term solutions to offer

operation were alive after 20 years, but it was not

these patients a greater life expectancy. Ultimately, we hope

known what happened to them after this period.

this registry will help identify the needs of these patients now

annual report 2011 > research

highlights

37

Heart patient, Mia Cowley Photo © Newspix

and in the future, so that measures can be taken to ensure

the success. In the future we will be able to definitively

they receive the best possible care and life expectancy.”

say what works. The lessons learned through this database of patients will allow children in the future who undergo

The registry will also be utilised to initiate large-scale trials

Fontan procedures the opportunity to live a near-normal

for potential new medications and treatments.

life for their whole lives.”

“It’s likely that by taking simple medications, Fontan heart

The collaborative work is the first of its kind in the world,

patients’ life expectancy could be increased by five or 10

with all cardiac specialists in Australia and New Zealand

years – but at the moment we have no means of measuring

working jointly on the project.

Elena Tucker

Andre Tan

students & awards Students at the Institute benefit from interacting with our senior scientists and clinicians, and from opportunities to gain skills in leadership and communication. phd success Elena Tucker completed her PhD in 2011 under the

While studying for her PhD, Elena won a number of awards

supervision of Professor David Thorburn and Dr Alison

including the New Investigator Award from the Human

Compton, and has since become a research officer in the

Genetics Society of Australasia, an Australian Postgraduate

Mitochondrial Research Group, which David leads.

Award, a Melbourne Abroad Travelling Scholarship and the Murdoch Childrens David Danks Scholarship, which she

While undertaking her PhD, Elena investigated the molecular

won in the first year of her PhD.

basis of mitochondrial disease, a devastating disorder that results in a range of debilitating symptoms and sometimes death. Using next-generation sequencing – revolutionary new technology that sequences thousands of genes at a

study leads to innovative invention

time, rather than each one individually – Elena and the team looked at more than 100 patients with the aim of achieving

Andre Tan’s association with Murdoch Childrens started

a molecular diagnosis for patients. Not only did the study

long before he commenced his PhD at the Institute. His first

achieve a number of diagnoses, it also identified three

experience was as a science and engineering undergraduate

novel disease genes. The study provided new insight into

student working on a summer vacation project in 2005.

mitochondrial disease and highlighted the huge potential

Andre worked under the supervision of Dr Bridget Southwell

of the new technology.

and Professor John Hutson, who were investigating how an electrical stimulation therapy for chronic constipation worked.

annual report 2011 > students

& awards

39

the innovation award “I was used to looking at mathematical formulas, calculators

Recognises staff in research support or corporate

and programming computers, so interviewing patients and

services who have improved support for research

families who were experiencing chronic constipation was an

and have demonstrated a level of creativity in

eye-opening experience; it really humanised the condition,”

their contribution.

Andre said.

A/Professor Yves d’Udekem, for implementing the Australian and New Zealand Fontan Registry for patients

After completing three summer vacation and two

who had undergone a Fontan operation. The registry

undergraduate projects with the Surgical Research team,

will provide the international community with important

Andre realised that an engineering solution was needed to

information on paediatric heart surgery

treat the condition, as existing electrical stimulators weren’t suitable for home use. His description of a new device to

the teamwork award

treat patients with chronic constipation formed part of the team’s invention. “Being a co-inventor of an innovative device

Acknowledges the contributions of staff who work

was something I never expected in my wildest dreams,” he

beyond their own position in the areas of events

said. The team are now working on developing the device,

and staff engagement.

which will allow patients to treat themselves in the comfort

Jade Knapp, for volunteering her time to assist with a number

of their own home.

of fundraising events

achievement awards & fellowships

environment, health & safety award

The Institute’s staff awards formally acknowledge and reward

Recognises both a staff member and a team which has made

high achievers to motivate staff and promote awareness of

significant contributions to improve safety performance.

the exceptional commitment of individuals to the values and

Wendy Francis (Leadership Award)

mission of Murdoch Childrens. The awards are presented

Comparative Development Research Group (Team award)

annually in May at the Institute’s Annual Review.

the discovery award

leadership excellence award Recognises excellence in leadership.

Recognises excellence in research achievement for

Steven Nasioulas, for his leadership in the role of Laboratory

senior researchers, 10 or more years postdoctoral.

Services Manager within Victorian Clinical Genetics Services

Professor Terry Nolan, for his work on the H1N1 vaccine

the rising star award

professor david danks scholarship

Recognises up-and-coming researchers for their

Awarded in honour of Professor David Danks,

excellence in research achievement.

the founding director of The Murdoch Institute,

Dr Peter Vuillermin, for his work leading the Barwon Infant

the scholarship recognises leading PhD students

Study, which aims to learn more about the prevention of

and provides a financial supplement to their

common health problems such as allergy, autoimmune

university scholarship.

disease and asthma

Elisha Josev (Developmental Imaging Research Group)

in infants and children

victorian clinical genetics services Victorian Clinical Genetics Services (VCGS), a subsidiary of Murdoch Childrens, provides not-for-profit clinical and laboratory genetics services with an emphasis on innovation

new information technology projects

and on translating the latest research discoveries into clinical care. These services are provided through five diagnostic

VCGS also initiated two major projects in 2011, both

laboratories based at the Institute and clinical services

involving information technology. First, we commenced

located at multiple sites across Victoria and Tasmania.

the implementation of a new Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) for our diagnostic laboratories.

The most prominent event of 2011 was the relocation

The LIMS project, which will take a year to complete, is the

of our Murdoch Childrens-based services to the new

largest-single project ever undertaken by VCGS – and will

Royal Children’s Hospital building. The move took place

significantly enhance the integration and efficiency of our

in November, but planning was a focus for much of the year.

laboratories. Second we initiated a comprehensive rewrite

Ensuring the smooth transition of our pathology and clinical

of the software for POSSUM, our dysmorphology database

services presented many challenges. In particular, it was

of genetic syndromes, which has been used worldwide for

vital to ensure continuity of our pathology services, despite

more than 20 years. The new software will make POSSUM a

the need to relocate major pieces of laboratory equipment.

fully web-based program and facilitate closer collaboration

We now have co-location of all VCGS laboratories and

with clinicians and other databases. Both the LIMS and

clinical services for the first time, and are enjoying the

POSSUM projects will be completed in 2012.

benefits of greater integration of our services and closer physical links to the Institute.

VCGS is making more genetic diagnoses than ever before and demand for our services has never been greater.

annual report 2011 > VCGS

41

services in demand

maternal serum screening

In 2011, we saw further advances in genetic knowledge

Using a combination of a blood test and ultrasound

and testing technologies. VCGS is making more genetic

findings, the Maternal Serum Screening Laboratory

diagnoses than ever before and demand for our services

performs screening during pregnancy to determine

has never been greater. The Molecular Genetics Laboratory

whether a pregnant woman’s baby has an increased

is taking advantage of new gene-sequencing technology

risk of having Down syndrome. In 2011, the laboratory

that, for the first time, allows the simultaneous testing of

added the ultrasound nasal bone measurement to the

large numbers of genes rather than testing one gene at a

existing screening panel, which will improve the

time. VCGS is initially focusing on inherited heart conditions

performance of the screening program by increasing

for which genetic testing has previously been prohibitive due

the accuracy of the test and reducing the number of

to the large numbers of genes involved. In the Cytogenetics

invasive diagnostic tests.

Laboratory, we completed a pilot study using microarraybased chromosome testing to replace traditional

research & education

microscope-based chromosome testing for prenatal diagnosis. This technique is particularly useful where there is

VCGS is also a leader in genetic education and

a fetal ultrasound abnormality requiring further investigation.

research, and in the training of the next generation

VCGS is now the only provider of this service in Australia.

of genetic scientists, counsellors and clinicians. The Master of Genetic Counselling course, established in

Demand for Clinical Genetic and Metabolic Genetic services

2008, is the first professional entry program in Australia

also continued to increase in 2011, driven by advances

to train genetic counsellors in a two-year Masters degree.

in genetic knowledge and testing technologies. VCGS

Already 32 students have completed the course, with

continued to provide high-quality family-centred genetics

graduates finding employment throughout Australia

services to people of all ages across metropolitan and

and internationally. For genetic researchers, these

regional Victoria and Tasmania. VCGS is committed to

are also exciting times. In 2011, VCGS staff made a

excellence in all the services it provides, and in 2011 the

number of exciting research discoveries and published

clinical service successfully completed quality accreditation

a total of 56 scientific papers, many in prestigious

through Quality Improvement and Community Services

international journals.

Accreditation (QICSA).

changes to newborn screening

I thank our Board, Executive committee and all our staff for their ongoing support and commitment to providing the highest standard of clinical and laboratory

The Newborn Screening Laboratory collaborated with the

genetics services.

Victorian Department of Health in 2011 to introduce written informed consent for newborn screening and for the use of newborn screening cards for research. Parents are now better informed about newborn screening and the reasons for storing newborn screening cards. The informed consent project also resulted in the appointment of a newborn screening nurse, who is providing improved education for midwives and communication with parents. In the Metabolic Laboratory, VCGS obtained new state-of-the-art equipment for amino acid testing, funded by the Department of Health.

This new instrument will allow us to provide results more

Associate Professor David Amor

quickly and keep pace with increasing demand.

Director, VCGS

corporate & scientific services Murdoch Childrens could not fulfil its goal to improve the

The past year has been dominated by planning and

health and wellbeing of children without the support it

executing the move into our new world class research

receives from donors and the Government.

facilities. In addition to working closely with the architects and builders to ensure the design of the new facility fully

With this firmly in mind, the Corporate & Scientific Services

met current and expected future research needs, the C&SS

(C&SS) team works hard to leverage maximum value from

team were the key planners of the move, liaising with our

every dollar received and to set in place the processes and

researchers and VCGS staff members to schedule the move

practices to give our supporters confidence that the money

of more than 1500 staff and their associated equipment.

they entrust to us is being governed well.

I am pleased to report that the move was completed successfully, with minimal overall disruption to the progress

In addition to supporting the researchers of Murdoch

of research and provision of VCGS services. The Institute

Childrens, C&SS also provides support to Murdoch Childrens’

is very grateful to the behind the scenes efforts of the team

subsidiary, the Victorian Clinical Genetics Services (VCGS),

to make such a complex logistical move appear simple.

whose clinicians, genetic counsellors and pathology scientists focus on improving the genetic health of people in Victoria,

While the new facilities undoubtedly will underpin even

Australia and around the world.

greater research outputs and improved services in genetic health, they also provide opportunities for gaining greater

In 2011, we continued to work hard under tight constraints

operational efficiencies. We were able to relocate a number

to ensure that the resources, systems and services

of research groups that were previously off-site back to The

supporting our researchers and VCGS gave them the best

Royal Children’s Hospital campus, reducing our footprint

chance of achieving success in their fields.

and saving operational costs. World class facilities also give Murdoch Childrens a compelling reason for our best researchers to stay and to attract leading researchers from

annual report 2011 > corporate

& scientific services

43

around the world. Improving the complex process of how

complemented the training already available and our widely

we bring new research groups and new researchers into

used online training resource, i-Learn. We were encouraged

the Institute with the greatest ease and minimal disruption

by the engagement and positive feedback from our staff and

will be a focus for us in 2012, and work has already begun

leaders to the program, and look forward to the program

in that regard on multiple fronts.

continuing into 2012 and beyond.

While the majority of the new facilities have been built, by

In 2012 we will continue our journey to improve our

September 2012 we are confident that we will have finished

systems and processes, so that we can be ready for the

outfitting the remaining 1100 sqm of space, which will have

ongoing growth of the Institute. We need to be able to

the capacity to house another 80 researchers.

properly administer continued growth in our staff numbers on campus, as well as develop ways to appropriately care

Matching our new facilities, our intranet and internet

for and manage staff around Australia and the world. We

sites were both rebuilt during the year. The intranet was

are also aware that our researchers often juggle research

particularly valuable as a new knowledge, information

with another time demanding career, such as clinical roles

and communication portal and intranet use has increased

in The Royal Children’s Hospital, so system flexibility, ease

three-fold. Our new facilities were designed to facilitate

of access and ease of use are important.

increased interactions in the workspace, and our intranet has supplemented this well.

The launch of our new Human Resources Information System is eagerly anticipated, which will allow our leaders

With almost all areas of research continuing exponential

to reduce staff recruitment times, improve success and more

growth in the need for data processing and storage, we

easily manage team administration and workforce planning

invested almost half a million dollars to upgrade our data

at any time from anywhere in the world. We expect this will

server and storage capabilities, disaster recovery systems

not only increase the effectiveness of team leadership, but

and service virtualisation in 2011.

also substantially reduce the time required to properly administer a research team – returning more time to

Biospecimen management and storage protocols will be

direct research activities.

reviewed during 2012 in line with the expected significant investment for biospecimen storage freezers. Apart from

2011 was a year that all those in Corporate & Scientific

our people and knowledge, biospecimens are one of our

Services can be proud of, and I thank them all for their

most important resources and C&SS will continue to support

efforts. We take pride in our achievements because we

researchers to safeguard this irreplaceable asset.

know our work is important to the success of the researchers we support who

Murdoch Childrens ongoing commitment to its people and

improve the health and wellbeing of

culture meant that in 2011, for the eighth consecutive year,

children. We all look forward to 2012.

we were named as an Employer of Choice for Women (EOWA) – an achievement we can all be proud of.

Recognising that successful modern researchers require skills beyond scientific excellence, in 2011 we also launched the Institute’s first performance and talent development

Brent Dankesreither

program, including an extensive leadership development

Chief Operating Officer &

training program. Facilitated workshops and off-site events

Company Secretary

corporate & scientific services clinical research development office

clinical epidemiology & biostatistics unit

The Clinical Research Development Office (CRDO) aims

The Clinical Epidemiology & Biostatistics Unit (CEBU)

to increase the capacity for high-quality clinical research

provides expertise in biostatistics and related areas

on the campus. It provides seminars, written and web-based

including study design and data management to a wide

educational materials and expert advice on study design

range of research at Murdoch Childrens, with a focus on

and clinical research projects. CRDO works closely with

clinical and population health studies. We perform research

the Research Development and Ethics office, Clinical

in collaboration with clinicians and epidemiologists, and

Epidemiology & Biostatistics Unit and the Australian

also conduct our own research to improve methods of

Paediatric Pharmacology Research Unit.

biostatistical analysis. Our short courses in research methods and biostatistics, including use of the statistical package Stata,

Highlights for 2011 included:

attracted more than 350 attendees.

• The delivery of a quarterly seminar series outlining the framework required of a clinical research project

Highlights for 2011 included:

to more than 50 campus researchers

• CEBU researchers were co-authors on 66 publications

• Invitations to speak on research principles and practices to researchers external to The Royal Children’s Hospital

in a wide range of scientific journals • Several CEBU researchers were successful as co-

campus, and the provision of direct support and guidance

investigators on new National Health & Medical Research

to more than 40 research projects

Council (NHMRC) Project Grant applications. In particular,

• Mentoring of study coordinators and research assistants, and the presentation of monthly forums for researchers

Dr Katherine Lee was involved in three successful grants, two on brain development in preterm infants and the

• Developing web-based guidance materials on research,

other a major randomised trial in The Royal Children’s

which are being increasingly accessed by researchers

Hospital on optimal intravenous fluid maintenance for

both on and outside of the campus, and new strategic

very sick children. Professor John Carlin was involved in

initiatives including input into a national paediatric

a successful grant on the development of atherosclerosis

trials network for all paediatric research organisations

in early life (Barwon Infant Study) and A/Professor Susan

across Australia

Donath in another on the effect of probiotics on the neurodevelopmental outcomes of preterm infants • Dr Fiona Mensah had a number of outstanding achievements, including receipt of her PhD from the University of York (UK), the award of an Early Career Fellowship from the NHMRC and success as a co-investigator on a NHMRC grant for a Centre of Research Excellence in Childhood Language

annual report 2011 > corporate

& scientific services

45

australian paediatric pharmacology research unit • Professor John Carlin was successful as the lead

Headed by A/Professor Noel Cranswick, the Australian

investigator on a grant to establish a NHMRC Centre

Paediatric Pharmacology Research Unit (APPRU) performs

of Research Excellence in Biostatistics, in collaboration

high quality, timely clinical trials in children that comply

with A/Professor Michael Coory (Health Services Research)

with local and international guidelines. Our primary focus

and colleagues at Monash University and The University

is always on the quality use of medicines in children. We

of Melbourne. This grant provides $2.5 million over five

provide clinical trial services and personnel who are highly

years to fund post-doctoral researchers and PhD

experienced in phase I to phase IV trials and issues relating

candidates in biostatistics, with the aim of developing

to Good Clinical Practice (GCP), Case Report Form (CRF)

careers and high-level leadership capacity in this core

management and subject recruitment. We also provide

research discipline

clinical pharmacology, research and development, clinical

• Dr Katherine Lee presented results of our research (joint

trial design and protocol development, GCP compliance,

with John Carlin and John Galati) on aspects of the method

pharmacokinetic modelling and regulatory affairs strategy.

of multiple imputations for handling missing data at the

In 2011, we provided support to 25 clinical studies in our unit.

annual conference of the International Society for Clinical Biostatistics in Ottawa, Canada

bioinformatics unit

Highlights for 2011 included: • The 17th World Health Organisation Essential Medicines List (EML) and third essential medicines list for children were updated in March 2011 at a meeting in Ghana. Noel

The Bioinformatics Unit has expertise in high throughput

Cranswick is a full member of the committee and has been

genomics, including experimental design and statistical

involved in the development of the children’s EML since its

analysis. In 2011 a new head of bioinformatics was appointed

inception in 2006. The committee is also involved in a

and the group further expanded with a new post-doctoral,

$10 million Gates Foundation grant on the implementation

computational scientist and Masters student. The

of essential medicines policy for children in Africa and India

Bioinformatics Unit fulfils a pivotal role in many collaborations

• The group presented and published on the safe use of

throughout Murdoch Childrens and is also at the forefront

antipyretics (paracetamol and ibuprofen), the risk of

of bioinformatics research methodology, which is produced

adverse events with complementary and alternative

for the wider research community. In 2011 the group was

medicines and the detection of adverse drug reactions.

involved in 13 journal publications, a NHMRC project grant

The paper was published in Archives of Disease in Childhood,

and Dr Alicia Oshlack won the Australian Academy of Science

and resulted in a large number of media reports related

Gani Medal for human genetics.

to the study and ongoing discussion about the safe use of alternative medicines in children.

In today’s world of child health research, international collaborations are vital to sharing skills and knowledge to help find answers to problems more rapidly.

Murdoch Childrens continues to have a global focus and is concentrating on strengthening, and further developing international collaborations.

global collaborations global burden of disease Our researchers played a leading role in an international

Lead researcher Professor George Patton said the health

study that looked at the global burden of disease.

of young people has been largely neglected in global public

Analysing data from the World Health Organisation,

health because the adolescent age group is perceived as

researchers found mental disorders such as major

healthy. “The burden of disease is increasingly driven by

depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, were

conditions causing disability, rather than death. Although

the leading cause of disability in young people worldwide.

risk factors and the lifestyles that young people adopt might not affect their health during this period, they can have a

The study, which was published in The Lancet, was the

substantial effect in later life. Interventions should address

first to provide a comprehensive picture of the global

the behaviours and social conditions that have both short-

causes of disability in adolescence and the main risk

term and long-term health consequences. Interventions that

factors for disease in later life. It found that mental

increase resilience are crucial for health promotion in young

disorders represent 45 per cent of the disease burden

people,” George said.

among young people aged 10-24 years.

children’s bioresource centre

The study found that the main global risk factors for future disability in all age groups (0–80 years) were

In 2011 we began the process of establishing a bioresource

being underweight, unsafe sex, alcohol use, unclean

facility at the Institute. Once established, the centre, based on

water, poor sanitation and hygiene. The research

the UK Biobank model, will enhance our ability to investigate a

showed that the main health risks emerging during

wide range of childhood conditions and diseases by

adolescence were alcohol use, unsafe sex, iron

examining stored biological specimens and health data. It is

deficiency and lack of contraception, with the rates

hoped the facility will eventually contain data for more than

of alcohol use and unsafe sex rising sharply in late

half a million participants, and will be among the largest of its

adolescence and early adulthood.

kind in the world. The initiative is expected to have a profound

annual report 2011 > global

collaborations

47

Dr Ning Wang

impact on how we investigate, diagnose, treat and cure

another country and to exchange research skills and

serious and life-threatening childhood illness in the future.

knowledge. Dr Ning Wang from the National Center for Chronic and Non-communicable Disease Control and

The Institute was also delighted to benefit from the expertise

Prevention, China, spent six months at the Institute.

and experience of Dr Timothy Peakman, the Executive Director of UK Biobank, who spent two weeks with a number

Ning worked on two separate research studies, one

of our researchers. Timothy surveyed and interviewed staff

looking at factors related to placental weight and

to determine the biobanking needs of the Institute,

placenta status while the other was concerned with

culminating in a report outlining recommendations and a

the association between prior foetal loss and

plan for the establishment of a world-class bioresource

childhood cancer. Ning also worked in Geelong as part

facility. As the inaugural recipient of the Dame Elisabeth

of the Barwon Infant Study, which aims to learn more

Fellowship, established to honour Dame Elisabeth Murdoch’s

about the prevention of common health problems

100th birthday, this was a most productive visit and fulfilled

such as allergy, autoimmune disease, asthma and

the goal of attracting a top international researcher to the

cardiovascular disease.

Institute to impart new knowledge and train staff.

In China, Ning is involved in a two-part study, following

building relationships with china

247,000 pairs of mothers and children, to investigate the outcomes of folic acid exposure in pregnancy, on childhood cancer and other non-infectious diseases.

The visit was extremely productive, with strong links

We hosted our inaugural Laurie Cox Fellow in 2011.

The Laurie Cox Fellowship was established in honour of our former Chairman to foster a young researcher from

created between the two organisations.

financials at a glance of consolidated entity revenue 2011 ($M)

2010 ($M)

Government & other peer reviewed grants

41.66 (108.29*)

40.82

Clinical services

20.40

19.75

Donations, fundraising & bequests

7.71 (15.51**)

8.07

Finance income

2.56

1.45

Contract research & clinical trials

8.01

6.90

Other research income

7.72

8.61

* Reported “Government & other peer reviewed grant” income was $108.29M. This included $66.634M being the $50.0M Commonwealth Grant, together with accumulated interest since 2007, for a 50 year right to occupy in the redeveloped RCH. ** Reported ”Donations, fundraising & bequests” income was $15.51M. This included campaign fundraising proceeds of $7.8M for 2011.

expenditure 2011 ($M)

2010 ($M)

Research expenditure

50.69

51.71

Clinical services

20.08

18.92

Fundraising

1.13

1.04

Administration

6.14

6.04

Technical & scientific services

5.90

6.02

where the money comes from

where the money goes

government & other peer reviewed grants clinical services (VCGS) 24%

47%

technical & scientific services 6% 7%

1% fundraising 7%

other research income

9% 9% 23%

clinical services (VCGS)

9%

3%

contract research & clinical trials

finance income

donations, fundraising & bequests

61% research expenditure

administration

49

annual report 2011 > financials

murdoch childrens research institute and its controlled entities statement of comprehensive income for the year ended 31 december 2011

Consolidated

Revenue from research & clinical activities

The Company

2011

2010

2011

2010

$

$

$

$

144,420,990

76,077,490

124,022,750

56,331,495

(2,255,457)

(3,440,990)

(1,890,685)

(3,110,944)

(80,558,017)

(79,225,410)

(60,841,233)

(60,635,681)

Surplus/(Deficit) from research & clinical activities

61,607,516

(6,588,910)

61,290,832

(7,415,132)

Donation, Estates & Bequest & Fundraising income

15,512,350

8,074,246

15,512,350

8,074,246

Fundraising expense

(1,129,491)

(1,044,310)

(1,129,491)

(1,044,310)

Net surplus obtained from Fundraising Activities

14,382,859

7,029,936

14,382,859

7,029,936

2,748,816

1,749,489

2,563,964

1,452,026

-

(17,744)

-

(17,744)

2,748,816

1,731,745

2,563,964

1,434,282

78,739,191

2,172,771

78,237,655

1,049,086

Net change in available for sale financial assets

(1,963,962)

(260,276)

(1,963,962)

(260,276)

Total comprehensive surplus for the period

76,775,229

1,912,495

76,273,693

788,810

Depreciation & amortisation Other expenses for research & clinical activities

Finance income Finance expenses Net Finance income / (expense) Operating surplus for the period * Other comprehensive income:

* The operating surplus for the year ended 31 December 2011, includes non-recurring Commonwealth Government Grant income of $66.6M associated with the redevelopment of the Royal Children’s Hospital

murdoch childrens research institute and its controlled entities balance sheets as at 31 december 2011

Consolidated

The Company

2011

2010

2011

2010

$

$

$

$

CURRENT ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents

15,685,631

12,120,231

8,245,279

6,167,100

9,046,541

5,253,346

7,393,069

3,262,799

88,325,078

69,316,333

87,805,983

68,873,681

113,057,250

86,689,910

103,444,331

78,303,580

Trade receivables and other assets

65,470,037

481,523

65,470,037

481,523

Other investments

27,458,764

31,938,093

27,458,764

31,938,093

Property, plant & equipment

15,281,169

14,961,088

13,962,547

14,060,996

total non-current assets

108,209,970

47,380,704

106,891,348

46,480,612

TOTAL ASSETS

221,267,220

134,070,614

210,335,679

124,784,192

91,836,718

20,215,896

90,106,318

19,008,985

9,034,616

7,600,903

5,571,275

4,708,467

-

62,945,892

-

62,945,892

100,871,334

90,762,691

95,677,593

86,663,344

Employee benefits

1,320,501

1,007,767

1,057,234

793,679

total non-current liabilities

1,320,501

1,007,767

1,057,234

793,679

TOTAL LIABILITIES

102,191,835

91,770,458

96,734,827

87,457,033

NET ASSETS

119,075,385

42,300,156

113,600,852

37,327,159

88,284,449

9,545,258

82,809,916

4,572,261

Fair value reserve

532,109

2,496,071

532,109

2,496,071

Capital reserve

400,000

400,000

400,000

400,000

26,258,827

26,258,827

26,258,827

26,258,827

Building development fund

2,600,000

2,600,000

2,600,000

2,600,000

Fellowships & scholarships fund

1,000,000

1,000,000

1,000,000

1,000,000

119,075,385

42,300,156

113,600,852

37,327,159

Trade receivables and other assets Other investments total current assets NON-CURRENT ASSETS

CURRENT LIABILITIES Trade and other payables Employee benefits Payables-Deferred Income total current liabilities NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES

MEMBERS’ FUNDS Accumulated funds

Permanent investment funds

TOTAL MEMBERS’ FUNDS

51

annual report 2011 > financials

murdoch childrens research institute and its controlled entities statements of cash flows for the year ended 31 december 2011

Consolidated

The Company

2011

2010

2011

2010

$

$

$

$

Cash flows from operating activities Patient fees received

12,860,782

11,763,525

-

-

Government and other grants received

54,718,889

41,022,474

46,828,164

40,822,474

Donations received

15,515,274

8,609,297

15,512,350

8,606,876

1,025,288

-

1,025,288

-

13,516,829

14,345,399

13,869,631

6,902,145

(76,909,665)

(66,875,348)

(57,554,567)

(48,642,776)

-

(17,744)

-

(17,744)

20,727,397

8,847,603

19,680,866

7,670,975

184,852

297,463

-

-

Proceeds on sale of PP&E

-

-

-

-

Advances to (from) related parties

-

-

(932,192)

120,333

Proceeds on sale of investments

12,841,583

1,526,540

12,841,583

1,526,540

Acquisition of property, plant and equipment

(2,468,590)

(1,663,415)

(1,792,236)

(1,704,811)

Interest received Other receipts Cash paid to suppliers and employees Interest paid net cash provided FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES cash flows from investing activities Investment income received

Acquisition of investments

(27,719,842)

(5,079,516)

(27,719,842)

(5,079,516)

NET CASH USED IN INvesting activities

(17,161,997)

(5,918,928)

(17,602,687)

(5,137,454)

Repayment of borrowings

-

(478,576)

-

(478,576)

NET CASH USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES

-

(478,576)

-

(478,576)

3,565,400

2,054,945

2,078,179

2,054,945

cash AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT 1 JANUARY

12,120,231

9,670,129

6,167,100

4,112,154

cash AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT 31 DECEMBER

15,685,631

12,120,231

8,245,279

6,167,100

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

NET INCREASE/ (DECREASE) IN CASH AND Cash Equivalents

Government and international grants received by Murdoch Childrens in 2011 will be used to fund research projects, including adolescent health and premature birth.

grants government funding

international competitive funding

Murdoch Childrens was awarded a record $26.3 million

Murdoch Childrens received $2.5 million in grants from

by the National Health & Medical Research Council

international funding bodies in 2011 to support research into

in 2011 for new research projects commencing in 2012.

pneumonia, allergies and premature birth.

This will help fund 27 research projects and 20 fellowships and scholarships in research, including childhood allergies,

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, USA

genetic conditions and adolescent health. Applications

Department of Defense, USA

undergo a rigorous selection process based on scientific

Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance, USA

quality and significance, and applicant track record.

March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation, USA

federal

Muscular Dystrophy Association, USA National Ataxia Foundation, USA National Institute of Allergy & Infectious Diseases, USA

Australian Research Council

National Institute of Child Health & Human Development, USA

Department of Health & Aged Care

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse & Alcoholism, USA

state

National Institutes of Health, USA Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research, Holland Thrasher Research Fund, USA

Department of Human Services Transport Accident Commission Transport Accident Commission Health Research Group, formerly Victorian Trauma Foundation

annual report 2011 > grants

competitive grants Our research was generously supported by many charitable foundations, which provide peer-reviewed funding for excellent research.

Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists

Heart Kids NSW

Australian Egg Corporation Limited

Helen Macpherson Smith Trust

Australian Rotary Health

Hugh Williamson Foundation

Bone Growth Foundation

Ian Potter Foundation

Brain Foundation

Jack Brockhoff Foundation

Cancer Council Victoria

Menzies Foundation

Cass Foundation Limited

Multiple Sclerosis Australia

Cerebral Palsy Foundation

Perpetual Trustees

Deafness Foundation

R E Ross Trust

Diabetes Australia Research Trust

Royal Australasian College of Physicians

Equity Trustees

Shepherd Foundation

Financial Markets Foundation for Children

Sylvia & Charles Viertel Charitable Foundation

Friedrich Ataxia Research Association Australasia

Victorian Cancer Agency

GlaxoSmithKline

Victorian Neurotrauma Initiative

Heart Foundation

53

Special events are not only vital for raising funds for research at Murdoch Childrens Research Institute; they also provide an opportunity to highlight our research projects to existing supporters, as well as engage a new generation of supporters.

special events art for science Creativity, philanthropy and corporate Australia

Rhys Lee, Richard Lewer, Song Ling, Dane Lovett, Jess

came together to support child health research for

MacNeil, Tim Maguire, Dani Marti, Laith McGregor, Lara

the fourth biennial Art for Science event. Australia’s

Merrett, Hitesh Natalwala, Geoff Newton, John Nicholson,

established and emerging artists donated works for

Nyapanyapa, Robert Owen, Colin Pennock, Patricia

the charity art exhibition in support of the Institute.

Piccinini, Shorty Jangala Robertson, Lisa Roet, Kate Rohde, Sally Ross, Alexander Seton, Kate Shaw, Jackson Slattery,

The event, which has gone from strength to strength

Sally Smart, Darren Sylvester, Christian Thompson, Vexta,

since its inception in 2005, saw 60 donated works

Jake Walker, Judith Wright, Michael Zavros

auctioned and sold off, raising more than $540,000 for life-saving research.

contributing galleries Arc One Gallery, Blackartprojects, Blockprojects, Breenspace, Fehily Contemporary, Gallery

The Art for Science event has raised almost $1.5 million

Barry Keldoulis, Gallery Gabrielle Pizzi, Gertrude

for child health research since 2005.

Contemporary, Grantpirrie, Haunch of Venison, Jan Murphy Gallery, KalimanRawlins, Karen Brown Gallery,

contributing artists Rick Amor, Brook Andrew, David

Karen Woodbury Gallery, Liverpool Street Gallery, Martin

Band, Lionel Bawden, Karen Black, Chris Bond, Andrew

Browne Contemporary, Mossgreen Gallery, Murray White

Browne, Stephen Bush, Jon Campbell, Travelyn Clay, Bindi

Room, Nellie Castan Gallery, Neon Parc, Niagara Galleries,

Cole, Sean Cordeiro and Claire Healy, Paul Davies, Robert

Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, Scott Livesey Galleries, Sophie

Doble and Simon Strong, Michael Doolan, McLean

Gannon Gallery, Sullivan+Strumpf Fine Art, Sutton

Edwards, Emily Ferretti, Sally Gabori, Angelina George,

Gallery, Tim Olsen Gallery, Tolarno Galleries, Tristian

Ghostpatrol, Deborah Halpern, Steven Harvey, Cherry

Koenig, Victor Maitland Fine Art, Warlukurlangu Artists

Hood, Philip Hunter, Todd Hunter, Yvonne Kendall,

Aboriginal Corporation

Veronica Kent, Jeremy Kibel, Janet Laurence, Sam Leach,

annual report 2011 > special

1

2

events

55

3

1. Jim Craig, Jayne Hayman and Jason Yeap 2. Christina Redlich, Prue Brown and Steven Casper 3. Teammates Michael Thomas, Paul Nichol, Jason Wilson and Michael Ward

big w kayak for kids sponsors and major pro bono supporters ANZ Private,

The inaugural Kayak for Kids challenge has raised more

Deloitte Private, Guinot, Kay & Burton, Maserati, ABL,

than $50,000 to help children with life-threatening

Icon, JR, River Capital, Chapman & Bailey, Hayman,

heart conditions.

Heathcote Estate, Kailis Brothers, King & Wilson, Louis Roederer, Luminare, Nellie Castan Gallery, Splitrock,

Four Melbourne friends paddled 440km from Port Fairy to

Spotlight Foundation, The Big Group, We are Digital,

Melbourne over 12 days to raise money for heart research,

Wodka, Yabby Lake

finishing the final leg of the event on January 22.

donors and pro bono supporters Daniel & Danielle

team members Jason Wilson, Michael Ward, Paul Nichol

Besen, Blue Pyrenees, John & Janet Calvert-Jones, CHE,

and Michael Thomas

Docklands Press Pty Ltd, DJ Dimension, The Greatest Show on Earth, Harry the Hirer, Leaf, Linfox, Michael

sponsors Big W, Anglesea Surf Lifesaving Club, Apollo Bay

Milstein, OMD, Orloff Family Charitable Trust,

Surf Lifesaving Club, Banana Boat, Boomaroo Nurseries,

Placesettings, Paul Sumner, Ion Teska, Red + White,

Dans Plants, East Coast Kayaking, Energizer, Fitness

Wilson Security, Village Roadshow

Lifestyle, Playgro, Point Lonsdale Surf Lifesaving Club, Port Campbell Surf Lifesaving Club, Procter & Gamble, Rock Solid

art for science committee Lisa Bond, Prue Brown, Suzi Carp (Chair), Steven Casper, Rohan Davis, Julian Dunne, Mardi Foreman, Alexie Glass-Kantor, Tanya Hamersfeld, Matthew Hannan, Jane Hayman, Alyssa Jones, Clark Kirby, Sarah Murdoch, Christina Redlich, Lauren Robertson and Lydia Schiavello

Statues, Spot, Vodafone, Wilsons Security

4

discovery day

5

foxtel lap

The seventh annual Discovery day drew a crowd of more than 3000 to Dame Elisabeth Murdoch’s Cruden Farm, raising $150,000 for Murdoch Childrens.

CEOs and staff from 150 teams hit treadmills or spin bikes across Australia for the 2011 FOXTEL Lap. Participants in

Families were treated to a special performance by BABBA

Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth clocked up more than

as well as stage shows by The Kazoos, Magician Luigi Zucchini

1449km. The event raised $490,000 for research into

and Dancing Queen Parties. Other activities included face

conditions including childhood diabetes, obesity, premature

painting, an animal farm and Mini Jeep rides.

birth and cancer. We thank FOXTEL for making this national event a success.

committee Fleur Arnold, Jackie Bursztyn, Matthew Hannan, Kate Kavanagh, Eliza Mantello, Catherine Meddis, Jill Murray,

presenting partner FOXTEL

Susie O’Neill, Monique Rajch, Dahlia Sable (Co-Chair), Camille Sunshine and Michelle Wenzel (Co-Chair)

sponsors & supporters Alpha Zeta, The Australian, Commonwealth Bank, Ernst & Young, Fitness First, Harvey

sponsors Guinot, Herald Sun, Kay & Burton, Leader

Norman, Nova, SCT Logistics

Community Newspapers, Altitude Volvo, Anaconda, A. Royale & Co Australia, BPM, Robert Mills & Architects,

participating organisations Ace Radio Broadcasters P/L,

Sportsbet, RBS Morgans

ACP Magazines, Alpha Zeta Event Productions, Amcom Telecommunications, Avant Mutual Group, Bayside Group,

major pro bono supporters Blenheim Design Partners,

BDO Kendalls, Blake Dawson, Blue Star Group, BSA Limited,

Bodycare Physiotherapy, Darling Park, Eastern Press,

CHAMP Private Equity Pty Limited, Citic Pacific Mining,

Ed Dixon Food Design, Royce Hotel, SoccerWise, Splitrock,

Clemenger BBDO, Clough Ltd, Commonwealth Bank of

Spotlight, Wacky Entertainment, Whole Kids

Australia, Count Financial Limited, CPA, CSG Limited, Deloitte, Downer EDI Engineering Pty Ltd, Dulux Group Limited, Ernst & Young, Fitness First Australia, FOX SPORTS, FOXTEL, GE Money, Grant Thornton, Hamton, Harvey Norman, Icon Construction, iiNet, Investec Bank, Jem Health, Jetstar Airways,

4. Girls at Discovery Day 5. Comedian Dave Hughes with Holly Williams 6. Karl Stefanovic and Sarah Murdoch at the Sydney FOXTEL Lap 7. Ed Howley was the Wave in F1 History winner 8. Liz Jenson and Gerald Delany with the Kay & Burton Polo team

Kailis Bros Pty Ltd, Kay & Burton, KordaMentha, KPMG, Learning Seat, Leveraged Equities, LinkedIn, Macquarie Group, Mandurah Baptist College, Microsoft, Moore Stephens, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, Multi Channel Network,

annual report 2011 > special

6

7

Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, News Limited, Nova,

events

57

8

f1 qantas australian grand prix

oOh! Media Group Ltd, Parmalat, Partners Group, Piper Alderman, Port of Brisbane, PPB Pty Ltd,

Murdoch Childrens was the official charity of the 2011

PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Queensland Newspapers Pty Ltd,

Formula 1 Qantas Australian Grand Prix. Over the four-day

RBS Group, Rio Tinto, River Capital, Rugby WA, SCT, Selleys

event, 300 volunteers helped sell raffle tickets for the Wave

Yates, Sparke Helmore Lawyers, Sportsbet, Spotlight,

in F1 History competition, which gave a lucky fan the

St George Bank, Steinepreis Paganin, Tatts Group, The

opportunity to be the first person to wave the flag at the

Australian, The Boston Consulting Group, The Herald & Weekly

conclusion of the Grand Prix.

Times, Travelex Global Business Payments, Treasury Casino & Hotel, Turner & Townsend, Turner International Australia,

Murdoch Childrens also partnered with Lexus and OneHD

UBS Wealth Management Australia Pty Ltd, UXC Connect,

to offer one lucky fan the opportunity to drive in the Lexus

West Coast Hi Fi, Westfield, Westpac, Wilson Group

Celebrity Challenge.

most funds raised by company

The Wave in F1 History competition, proceeds from ticket

Macquarie Group

NSW Treadmill

$40,541.00

Clough

WA Treadmill

$20,999.00

CBA/KordaMentha

NSW Treadmill

$19,597.95

Murdoch Childrens Research Inst NSW Treadmill

$16,928.50

FOXTEL staff

NSW Treadmill

$16,070.00

sponsors F1 Qantas Australian Grand Prix, Lexus, OneHD

Andrew Gale

Count Financial Limited

$14,468.00

Peter Tonagh

FOXTEL

$11,550.00

the stella artois portsea polo

Karl Stefanovic

Murdoch Childrens

$10,520.00

Holly Williams

Murdoch Childrens

$7,070.55

Bruce Phipson

Macquarie Group

$6,760.00

sales and other activities raised $50,000 for life-saving child health research.

most funds raised by individual

Five thousand people flocked to the Mornington Peninsula for a day of fashion, fine food and polo at the Stella Artois Portsea Polo. The sold-out event raised more than $200,000

most laps run city

team overall

individual

laps

for the Institute through contributions from ticket sales, and

Brisbane

Deloitte – 1303

from corporate support and the sale of caps.

Stephen Courtney, Deloitte

89.0

Sarah Crowley, Deloitte

83.0

Melbourne KPMG – 1239

Ared Mekonnen, Kailis Bros/Sealord 93.6

Bridgitte Burns, Grant Thornton

72.6

Perth

Dean Menzies, Deloitte

85.6

Kristy McGrath, Clough

72.6

Deloitte – 1365

Sydney

Fitness First – 1496 Jonathan Fenton, KPMG

Laura James, Macquarie Group

96.6 85.9

sponsors & donors Guinot, Kay & Burton, The Portsea Polo Committee

our corporate partners provide significant financial support for our research, as well as helping to promote the Institute to new friends and supporters.

corporate partners vaalia

kay & burton

Over the past year, our partnership with Vaalia – the

This past year marked Kay & Burton’s fourth year as our

feel-good probiotic yoghurt – has made us feel happy on

corporate partner. Over that time, Kay & Burton has made

the inside in more ways than one. Vaalia has contributed

a financial investment of $600,000, helping us to address

$150,000 towards vital child health research to date, and

child health conditions such as allergies, genetic conditions,

will contribute a further $300,000 over the next two years.

mental health and obesity.

In addition to financial support, Vaalia has helped raise awareness of Murdoch Childrens through its Facebook

Throughout the partnership, Kay & Burton has championed

page and the ‘Smile Tile’ Facebook application.

us in many ways including encouraging clients and friends to support fundraising initiatives such as Art for Science

Vaalia’s passion, commitment and enthusiasm to the

and Discovery Day, and informing them of the Institute

partnership has also led to the partnership being featured

and our latest research.

on packaging nationally, and to donating yoghurt for various events including Discovery Day and the FOXTEL

We are proud to call Kay & Burton a true friend of the

Lap. We feel good about this partnership and we hope

Institute, and thank them for helping us look after our

you do too! Thanks Vaalia.

most loved assets – our children!

annual report 2011 > corporate

spc ardmona

partners

59

Director of Kay & Burton Peter Kudelka with his wife, Cathy

For the past year, SPC Ardmona, Australia’s premier fruit and vegetable processing company, has contributed to the health and happiness of Australian children in more ways than providing Australian kids with beans and healthy snack options. They have committed to a three-year partnership, helping us to make important discoveries to improve the health of children.

Thank you SPC Ardmona, for your financial commitment and enthusiasm for our work.

It’s good food doing good!

Murdoch Childrens logo is on all Vaalia yoghurt packs

donors founding director inspiring donations

milestone fundraising achievement for foundation

In our 25th anniversary year it was heart warming to receive

The Lions Cord Blood Foundation, a volunteer Lions Club

some special donations inspired by the memory of our

fundraising committee, was established in 1996 by the

founding Director, the late Professor David Danks.

late Laurie Denton, a former member of the Lions Club of Waverley.

The Institute received $2010, which was generated through the sale of the book ‘Double Helix, Double Joy,’ which is the

In a mammoth fundraising effort, the Lions Cord Blood

biography of Professor David Danks, and was co-authored

Foundation, in conjunction with the Fight Cancer

by Carolyn Rasmussen and David Danks’ son, Alister.

Foundation, have raised over $1 million for the BMDI Cord Blood Bank, which is a joint partnership between

Alister, together with his mother June Danks, donated the

Murdoch Childrens, The Royal Children’s Hospital and

proceeds from the sale of the book to help support the

the Fight Cancer Foundation (formerly the Bone Marrow

continued work of our researchers. “We’re very pleased to

Donor Institute).

support the ongoing development of Murdoch Childrens.

The new facilities look superb and offers great potential for

Cord blood contains an abundant amount of stem cells

another successful chapter in the Institute’s evolution,”

which can be used to treat many types of diseases and

Alister said.

conditions, including cancer. The cost of successful collection, testing and storage of a single cord blood unit

Another donation in 2011 was also inspired by Professor

is approximately $3000.

Danks’ work at the Institute, with David Dewhurst selecting Murdoch Childrens as the beneficiary of money raised in

In addition to financial support, the Foundation also

support of his marathon run.

raises awareness of the Institute and the Cord Blood Bank through guest speaking, the Lion magazine, and

“The Murdoch Childrens Research Institute has a special

requests Lions Clubs throughout Australia to make

place in my heart as one of its original founders, the late

contributions.

Professor David Danks, did all that he could to help Tim Cassidy - my nephew Lachlan’s uncle - enjoy the best

Cord blood was once thought of as medical waste, but

possible life he could whilst dealing with the very rare

with the advances in technology, it can now be used to

Rothmund–Thomson Read syndrome,” David explained.

save lives. We appreciate the passionate members of the Lions Cord Blood Foundation for their commitment and

The personal challenge David set himself was even more

dedication to raising funds to help improve the lives of

impressive as he had only taken up running two years prior

children affected by cancer and other disorders, and to

to his marathon effort. David, along with support from his

help fund vital research aimed at improving cord blood

family, friends and work colleagues raised $2700 for child

transplant and outcome.

health research. The legacy of the great Professor David Danks continues.

annual report 2011 > donors

pratt family’s long history of giving Murdoch Childrens was founded on major philanthropy. It was not just the generosity of Dame Elisabeth Murdoch and her family, the Scobie and Claire Mackinnon Trust, the Miller Family and others also gave life to a bold research enterprise.

In 1986, one of the inaugural donors to the new Institute was Richard Pratt. This gift was the start of a long and highly valued partnership in which the Institute has been privileged to have had ongoing support of the Pratt family and Pratt Foundation to a wide range of research projects. Currently, the Foundation is supporting a very significant project examining the psychosocial outcomes of children who suffer serious illness.

In 2011, Anthony and Jeanne Pratt, the Pratt Family and Pratt Foundation also announced a $1 million gift, to the Institute’s campaign for funds to support our move to the new building.

Acknowledging this gift, Director Terry Dwyer said, “Philanthropy for the Institute is crucial and provides the seed funding so our researchers can pursue innovative research ideas. The Pratt family and Pratt Foundation’s contribution of $1 million will ensure our researchers have access to state-of-the-art facilities, which will be a critical factor in enabling us to find answers faster for the most important child health problems.”

Jeanne Pratt, Rupert Murdoch, Claudine & Anthony Pratt

major corporate philanthropy Actelion Pharmaceuticals ANZ Private Arnold Bloch Leibler Australian Grand Prix Corporation Big W Channel Ten Clough Deloitte Ernst & Young FOXTEL Guinot Icon Construction Ipsen JR Group KordaMentha KPMG Leader Community Newspapers Linfox Macquarie Group Foundation Maserati National Australia Bank Novo Nordisk Outdoor Council of Australia Paediatric Integrated Cancer Service Pfizer RACV RBS Group Reece Australia Southbed Village Roadshow Westpac major corporate pro bono Alpha Zeta Australian Institute of Company Directors Chapman & Bailey Ernst & Young FOXTEL Fitness First Hayman Design Harvey Norman Heathcote Estate Inlink Media King & Wilson Nellie Castan Gallery News Custom Publishing News Limited Nova Paperlinx SCT Logistics Splitrock The Big Group We Are Digital Yabby Lake major & campaign donors Aidan & Oliver Biggar Cystic Fibrosis Fund Australian Community Foundation Ariane Barker Danielle Besen David Briskin CAF Community Fund John & Janet Calvert-Jones Calvert-Jones Foundation Children’s Cancer Centre Foundation

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Suzi & Barry Carp CIKA Heather Cleland Leigh & Sue Clifford Collier Charitable Fund Anthony & Melanie Coops Count Charitable Foundation James & Claudia Craig Narelle Curtis & Nicholas Tyshing James & Robyn Davis EW and LJ Seehusen Foundation Fight Cancer Foundation formerly Bone Marrow Donor Institute Lindsay & Paula Fox Rochelle Gance Michael & Helen Gannon Philip & Louise Goodman Leonard & Tanya Hamersfeld Geoff & Helen Handbury Foundation George Castan Family Charitable Foundation Hugh Rogers PhD Scholarship David Jenkins & Fran H Lefroy KOALA Foundation Milan & Anne Kantor George & Joan Lefroy Marj Lefroy Lansdowne Foundation Limb Family Foundation Miller Foundation Michael Milstein Mark Moody-Stuart Dame Elisabeth Murdoch Rupert & Wendi Murdoch My Room National Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre Andrew Nissen Orloff Family Charitable Trust Rowly and Judy Paterson Sam Riggall & Nichola Lefroy Rotary Club of North Brighton Nathan & Dahlia Sable Pamela Sargood Andrew & Tracy Sisson Peter & Catherine Strover Thalassaemia Australia Thalassaemia Society of New South Wales The Cameron Family Foundation The Invergowrie Foundation The Kimberley Foundation The Ponting Foundation The Pratt Foundation The Scobie & Claire Mackinnon Trust The Smith Family The Sunraysia Foundation The Tasmanian Early Years Foundation Thyne Reid Foundation David Williams Ron & Joan Wilson estates & bequests Estate of Nance Elizabeth Creaton Estate of LI Roach Estate of Edna Kingston

donors thank you to our generous donors in 2011* a A. Royale & Co Stephen A’Beckett David M. Abouav & Stephanie T. Deeley Ace Radio Broadcasters ACP Magazines Adamstown Cleaning Services Vivien Agosta Robert Albert Nicholas Alexander Alphapharm Amcom Telecommunications Andrew Alston Altitude Volvo Timothy Antonie Christopher Archibald Lachlan & Rebekah Armstrong Australian British Chamber of Commerce Australian Institute of Company Directors Australian Mitochondrial Disease Foundation Peter Austin Tania Austin Avant Mutual Group b Monique Baker-Mackie Richard & Sophie Balderstone Ian & Joan Ball John Ballantyne Peter Barnett Kim Barrie Samantha Barrow Martin & Anne Marie Bartlett Jason Bayliss Bayside Group BDO Kendalls Richard Beal Michael & Judy Begg Luke Bentvelzen Bligh Berry Nancy Beshay BGF Equities Blake Dawson

Blue Star Group Robin Bishop BodyCare Physiotherapy Lisa Bond & John Caprioglio Boxy Design Camilla Boyd Broadway Dental Brecknock Insurance Brokers Malcolm & Janet Brodie Nick & Prue Brown Anthony Bruno BSA Limited Buzz Products Peta Bydder c Michael & Creina Cadden Sarah Callan C. Cameron Matthew & Melissa Cameron Caring Friends of CF Auxiliary Jessica Carr Terence Casey Russell & Louise Casper Steven Casper & Ilana Wald George & Freda Castan Richard & Sue Castan Michael Cerny Chain Reaction CHAMP Private Equity Mark Chapman Chatterbox Child Development & Care Centres CHE Paul & Sarah Cherny Brandon & Davina Chizik Peter Cichello Adam Cirillo Citic Pacific Mining Club Sales & Merchandising Trevor & Heather Cohen Amanda Collins Helen M. Collis Commonwealth Bank of Australia

Catherine Concannon Mark & Georgie CoombeTennant Cooper Foundation Philip & Caroline Cornish Cornwall Stodart Count Financial Paul & Belinda Cowan David Cowling Andrew & Abby Cox Cecily Cox CPA Penni Crawford CSG d Alister & Heather Danks June Danks Andrew Davidson Tony & Trisha Davies Charles Day & Elise Everest David & Kristene Deague Deloitte Serrin Dewar Diabetes Camp Auxillary Dimmick Charitable Trust Fiorella Di Santo Dom DiMattina Do-Bees Auxiliary Kevin Dobry Kate Dougherty Downer EDI Engineering Dulux e Eastern Australia Agriculture Ed Dixon Food Design Kenay Edelsten Eirene Lucas Foundation Embelton Matthew Evans f Darren & Carolyn Febey Jaclyn Felton Robert Fiani Barry & Kaye Fink First Light Racing Fitness First Australia Barry & Helen Fitzgerald Flower and Hart Lawyers

Andrew & Sarah Foote Fox Sports Richard Freudenstein John & Diana Frew Simon & Mia Frid FUJIFILM Australia g Jack & Evelynne Gance Neilma Gantner Ross & Judith Gardner Mary Garnett Gates Australia Deepak Gaur David Gay Michele Gellatly & Nick Pongho Raphael & Fiona Geminder John & Susanna Gibson Geoff Gishubl Christopher Glebatsas Simon Glendenning G-Lux Enterprises GoodStart Childcare Gourlay Charitable Trust Louise M Gourlay Grant Thornton Elaine Greenhall Peter H Greenham Bruce & Anne Grey Simon Griffiths h Maurice E. Hall Reg Hall Geoffrey & Tracey Hamilton Hamton Hart Charities Harvey Norman Thomastown Karen Hayes Hearts of Hope Australia Heavy Mobile Equipment Repairs Geoffrey & Dorothy Heeley S Hendler Hickory Developments Lisa Hinrichsen Elise Hinson Jill Howard

Lisa Howells Nigel & Nicole Hunt Debra Hynd i I A C Robertson & Co iiNet Investec Bank Silviu Itescu j Angus James Samari Jayarajah Jem Health Jetstar Airways Jinhui Dean Joel Alyssa Jones k Kailis Bros Kailis Foundation George & Rose Kailis Julie Kantor Geoffrey & Monica Kempler Ian Kennedy & Sandra Hacker Kilwinning Trust Russell & Sue Knowles Alan Kozica KPMG Meir & Rachel Kramer l Latin Transport Learning Seat Amy Lee Rob Legge Stanley Stavros & Marisa Leone Leveraged Equities Bori & Helen Liberman Ben Rozenes & Laini Liberman Lifestyle Technologie & Design John B. Little Look Print Paige Love m Maben Group Christine Macgill

* Donations of $500 or more are listed. Government and competitive grants are listed on page 52-53, event sponsors, donors and pro bono supporters are listed on page 54-57, major donors, major corporate philanthropy and major corporate pro bono are listed on page 61.

annual report 2011 > donors

Jeffrey Mahemoff & Helen Mahemoff Anthony Maher Scott Mamson Mandurah Baptist College Karen Marks Catherine Martin Lauren Martin John & Sue Matthies Stewart May Andy McConnell Malcolm McCusker Melaina McDonald Rebecca McIntosh Tina McKenzie Neil McLennan Alison McNab Ian & Libby McNaughton John & Julie McPhee Julian McVilly Merricks Capital Lee Mickelburough Microsoft Andrew & Jean Miller Harold Mitchell John & Nellie Mitchell Stanley & Helen Mohr Julie Moon Moore Stephens Ryan Morgan Sarah Morgan Morgan Stanley Smith Barney Multi Channel Network Ashley Murdoch Sarah & Lachlan Murdoch Simone Myers n NAB Staff Club Kaylene Napoleone Obaid Naqebullah Justin Nesvanulica News Limited NewsNet John Nolan Nova 100 Nutricia o Oesophageal Atresia Research Auxiliary Officeworks Patrick O’Hare Timothy Olden OMD oOh! Media Group Denise O’Reilly Ray & Marylou Orloff p Peter & Helen Pagonis

Arthur & Heather Paikos Esther Palmer Partners Group Ed Paton Danny Pearson & Nicole Marshall Nunzio & Assunta Pellicano Despina Pereira Peter Isaacson Foundation Bruce Phipson Piper Alderman Port of Brisbane PPB Grahame Pratt PwC q Mehdi & Colleen Qerim

Selleys Yates Kim Seymour Susie Simic Peter Skewes Adam Ski Joe Skrzynski Andrew Slutzkin Graham & Annette Smorgon Neil Spitzer Sportsbet Spotlight David Stephenson Grant & Terri Stephenson Craig Stevens Helen Stevenson St George Bank Steinepreis Paganin Stephanie Summerfield Swisse Vitamins

r Fudge Raco RACV Club Donna Ravenscroft RBS Group Stephen & Bonnie Redman Anthony Reid Glenn Reindel Tristan Reis-Freeman Reksio Industries Andrew Rettig & Amanda Briskin-Rettig Angus & Lara Reynolds Rio Tinto Colin Ritchie Sue Ritchie River Capital Lauren Robertson Judith & Michael Robinson James Roche & Stuart Andrews Mauro Romano Julia Rosenthal Rotary Club of Strathmore Annette Rowlands Elina Rozenblit Rubin Partners Rugby WA Jean Ryter

t Peter & Mary Tallis Ion Teska The Baxter Family Foundation The Boston Consulting Group The Butterfly Foundation The Flew Foundation The Good Guys Foundation The Isabel & John Gilbertson Charitable Trust The Lew Foundation The Marble House The Sunday Times The Theofilou Family Lauren Theos Christopher Thomas Wayne & Sue Thomas W. John Tobin Trailblazers Auxiliary John Traficante Treasury Casino & Hotel Tresscox Lawyers Con & Alex Tsakonis Turner & Townsend Turner International Australia

s Ian Saines Salesfest Advertising Haydn Sallmann Vedrana Samardzic Franz Samuel Jose & Kylie Santa Maria Brett Schraa SCT Logistics Seek.com

u UBS Foundation United Way Sylvia Urbach UXC Connect v Garry & Rosie Van Egmond Alasdair Vance

w Wacky Entertainment Alex & Heloise Waislitz Campbell & Elli Walker Sam Walsh Warracknabeal Country Womens Association Paul G. Webber Renee & Albert Weisman Richard Werren West Coast Hi Fi Westfield Westpac Whatever Industries Kris & Emma Whitehead Chris Whittle Christine Wilcox Andrew Willder & Elu Brown Jenna Willett Chris Williams Kim Williams Yvette Williams Mark Wilson Jason & Glennis Winnett Stuart Wood y Michael & Louise Yates Jason Yeap & Min Lee Wong Gim Wah Yeo Matt Young in celebration of Max Behr’s birthday Meir Kramer in celebration of Alyssa Carp’s batmitzvah Anne Phillips in celebration of Angela Pane’s birthday Fran Chapman Luisa Gigliotti Natale Gigliotti in celebration of Barry Bloom’s 70th birthday Rosslyn Bancroft Barry Levy G.S. Lubransky David Rose Merv Rubenstein in celebration of Clark Kirby & Sarah Groen Nicholas Alexander Timothy Antonie Kate Cookes Marilyn Cotter Penelope Cross

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Erica Ford Stephen Hall Henrik Lassen Patricia Moran Sharmila Normington Romy Page Helene Pappas Nick Sims Nick Troedson Francis Wales Read Project Services in celebration of Dame Elisabeth Murdoch’s 102nd birthday Barry Novy in celebration of Helen & Cons birthday Peter Alexopoulos Bruce Anderson Kara Athans Sara Baigent Kathy Bossinakis Joseph Daggian John-Paul Daggian Peter Doukakaros Jim Dounias Suzi Forster Coula Georgopoulos Angelo Giannakopoulos Harry Heretakis Judith Jay Bill Kalliontzis Vicky Kazanoti Dimetri Kazazis Nick Kellis Con Kocolis Jim Kocolis James Konstantaras Stelios Milonas Magnus Ohlson Peter Paras Paul Poliviou Lisa Poliviou Helen Poliviou Marianna Stylianou Arash Taji Kris Tcheupdjian Henry The Sam Tsakiridis Thomas Tsirogiannis Nick Tsirogiannis Maria Vadolas Filitsa Vagiatis Nicholas Zafiropoulos Maxine Zouros South Melbourne Cellars in celebration of Annabel Banks’ birthday Penelope HortonStephens

in celebration of Ben Casper & Asher Hamersfeld’s birthday Steven Casper Natalie Siegel in celebration of Cara Davies’ batmitzvah Jacob Allen Rosemary Barnett Saul Berman Marcus Godinho Niv and Kim Harizman Matthew Lally Christina Redlich Benjamin Samuels Will & Maddy Stewart Niv Tadmore Tim Wilkinson in celebration of Caroline Dowling’s 40th birthday Christie Freeman M E J Groves Uri Hanegbi Nathan Keating John Kourambas Chris MacIsaac Jodi McCord Jenny Nicolopoulos Marinis Pirpiris Caroline Redman Sally Stansmore in celebration of David Smorgon & Kathie Rosner’s wedding Judy Berger Barry Bloom Bernard Carp Michael Casper George Castan Brandon Chizik Jeremy Davis Ian Davis Ron Dodge Kate Edelsten Barbara Efron Barry Fink Carrie Flinkier Stephney Florence Jonathan Gelfand Michael Gibson Peter H Greenham Ian Hicks Aviva Hyman Alan Johnstone Stephen Jolson Barbara Le Maitre Solomon Lew Bori Liberman Keren Ludski Jeffrey Mahemoff Victor Pack George Pappas Lynne Samuel Viv Serry Gita Smorgon Joanne Star Lynn Trayer Alex Waislitz Jason Wrobel

Morry Wrobel The Lew Foundation in celebration of Jade Carp’s birthday Harvey Kalman Mark Gerstel in celebration of Joey Moshinsky’s barmitzvah Damian Abrahams Liliane Aisenberg Andrew Bassat Kate Beaconsfield Andrew Blode Harry Burmeister Brandon Carp Steven Casper Grant Cohen Richard Davies William Duncan Romi Elsass Mark Engel Lissa Franke Leonard Hamersfeld Brian Hamersfeld Kyles Hilton R Ichlov Jane Jackson Shellie Jelinek Dean Joel Steven Kleytman T Koman Roz Lawrence Mark McCoach Danielle McKeown Montag Family Nathan Moshinsky G Nankin Philip Neri Kerry Robinson Emma Rosenberg Gwen Schwarz Lisa Stevens Richard Swansonn Stewart Telford Jacob Weinmann Morry Wrobel Chris Ziguras in celebration of Josh Kramer’s 2nd birthday Ryan Behr Debbie Cohen Mireille Davidson Candice Davidson Yvonne Feil Meir Kramer Marc Lewinsohn Jarrad Pyke Link Financial Services in celebration of Justin Liberman & Lisa Farber’s 40th birthday Dion Appel Sharon Bassat Nicole Carew Suzi Carp Steven Casper Russell Casper Avi Cohen

Simon Donath Mitchell Faiman Steven Goldberg Josh Goldhirsch Martin Halphen Brenda Heideman Monica Kempler Sandra Klibansky Jodi Klooger Rachel Kramer Suzanne Levin Darren Levy Susan Lichtenstein Kerryn Miltz Simon Morris Dean Poswell Lior Rauchberger Susan Rosenthal Ilan Rubin Daniel Sable Nicole Sharp Dean Sheezel Adam Slade-Jacobson Ricky Smorgon in celebration of Jyoti Haikerwal’s 15th birthday Josefina Gray Anjali Haikerwal Susan Walpole in celebration of Lynne Frid’s 59th birthday Jean Ryter in celebration of Rodney Smorgon’s 60th birthday Susan Auster Selwyn Auster J Bialylew Paula Booth F Bottari George Castan J Chrapot Rosa Clarke T Danos Ian Davis B Dudakov Lynne Frid Z Friedman Leigh Goldbloom David Grace Denise Isaacs D Jackman Geoffrey Kliger Helen Landau Philip Lewis B Lichocki Jeffrey Mahemoff Henry Mohr Stanley Mohr R Mond Diane Musson Maxwell Olenski Hedy Ritterman J Rochman Phillip Rose Michael Rozenes L Rutman Nathan Serry M Strownix M Stub

in celebration of the birth of Victoria Feetham Fiona Evans Elisha Rickward

in memory of Kristen Potts D Price

in celebration of Brad Allan’s 50th birthday Steven Casper

in memory of Mary Nicol Andrew Blair E Hutchieson

in memory of Charlotte Ruby Nunan Alison McNab

in memory of Suzanne T Brown Jack Brown

in memory of Dominic Santa Maria Jose Santa Maria Latin Transport

in memory of Matthew Paikos Arthur Paikos

in memory of Emma Ritchie Sue Ritchie Colin Ritchie

In memory of Robert Mohr Danielle Suss Daniel Shrimski Mark Shaw Richard Shaw Lauren Norich Jeremy Morris Benjamin Kohn Elise Cook

in memory of Amelia Fuller Scott Ginnivan

in memory of Ruth Collison Beth Faulkner

in memory of Caitlin Rose Thomas Mark Hamley Sue Thomas

in memory of Stuart Groen Wendy Thompson

in memory of Shaun Nicholas Martin Ken Redman Stephen Redman

in memory of Dr Denise Kirby Elizabeth Swanton in memory of Jake Bond Kerrie County Linda Faralla in memory of Joshua Timothy Brabazon Elizabeth Capp Moriann Fee Chris Harvey Jin Huang Kim & Shabana Jack Emily Mackay Cherubini Parnee Carly Prendergast Maggy Samaan Mark & Jennifer Sykes Michelle Towers in memory of Shaun Nicholas Martin Ken Redman in memory of Indiana Orlando Ross & Judith Gardner in memory of Janet Handley Huskisson RSL Club Limited Vietnam Veterans’ Assoc of Australia, Jervis Bay branch

pro bono Asian Pacific Building Corporation Peter Rowland Catering Village Roadshow My Child Magazine Akarba Foster’s Group Bonds Charlotte Coote Royce Hotel Rockpool Bar & Grill Trunk Healthy Aussie Kids FizzKids Castaways Resort and Spa DDB Group Banks Rowing Club Phil & Ted Bayside Eyes Little Nest Australia Kings Swim School Love & Lustre Comme Food & Desire Antler ISC Sports Liberty Catering Concept

TOMORROW’S CURES NEED YOUR DONATIONS TODAY You have the power to help the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute save kids’ lives. With your support, our researchers can continue to discover cures for conditions including diabetes, cancer, allergies, premature birth, obesity and genetic conditions. Donate today.

Phone 1300 766 439 or visit www.mcri.edu.au

Thank you to the following organisations who generously assisted in the production of this report.

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Edited by Simone Myers & Alex Furman (pr@mcri.edu.au) The text of this Annual Report is printed on Spicers 1 gsm Alpine Laser and the cover on Spicers 250gsm Alpine Systems Board