ANNUAL REPORT 2008
People often take for granted that when our kids are sick, the doctors and nurses will know what to do to make them better. We forget that past research discoveries have made this possible. Thanks to the work of the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, thousands of Australian kids affected by conditions such as prematurity, gastroenteritis and cerebral palsy have already been helped. Our researchers, driven by the excitement of discovery, are now focussed on finding answers to the big issues affecting child health including allergies, cancer, obesity, heart disease, genetic conditions and mental illness. With your support we will continue to discover ways to help babies, children and adolescents live happier, healthier lives. www.mcri.edu.au
contents 2-7
Chairman & Director’s Report
28-31
Laboratory & Community Genetics
8
Board of Directors
32-35
Musculoskeletal Disorders
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Board Committees
36-39
Victorian Clinical Genetics Service
10
Executive Committee
40-41
Corporate Report
11
Organisation Chart
42-43
Scientific Services & Research Enabling Facilities
12-15
Critical Care & Neurosciences
44-47
Finance
16-19
Early Development & Disease
48-51
Our Supporters
20-23
Healthy Development
52-59
Donors & Supporters List
24-27
Infection, Immunity & Environment
Campus partners:
MCRI ANNUAL REPORT 2008
MCRI ANNUAL REPORT 2008
Chairman & Director’s Report 2008 was a year of growth and change for the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute. In what was a pleasing year, we had increases in funding, papers published in peer-reviewed journals and staff. NEW RESEARCH STRATEGY
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS
The Institute developed a new strategic plan to identify goals for research investment and to guide the direction of our research over the next five years.
Our research has continued to deliver results and this is reflected in both publication of findings and tangible improvements in child health.
Four major areas were identified as research priorities in child health: • Obesity & diabetes • Immune disorders & allergy • Brain & mind development • Genetics, development & disease These conditions have been chosen because we have the demonstrated skills to make important contributions. These conditions are also either steadily increasing, among Australian children long term, and urgently need to be addressed, or are unsolved problems. We thank the executive committee (see page 10) for their leadership in this process and for their ongoing input to the strategic direction of the Institute.
Murdoch Childrens had an increase in publications in high-impact tier one or two medical journals (the highest ranked of the world’s journals) from 101 to 114 in 2008. The average impact factor for papers published during 2008 (an index of how often other scientists cite our work) increased to 4.5, up from 4.2 in 2007 and 3.2 in 2006. This very pleasing trend was measured by the American company Thomson Scientific which assesses the quantity and quality of publications globally.
There were many commendable research highlights and awards during the year. A few examples include: • A study with collaborators at the Royal Women’s Hospital led by Professor Colin Morley reported the best way to assist very preterm babies to breathe, with the findings published in the New England Journal of Medicine • Professor Melissa Wake and her team were recognised by National Health & Medical Research Council in ‘10 of the best 2008’ for ongoing research into childhood obesity. Melissa also received an NHMRC excellence award for ‘Most Outstanding Career Development’ for her research which aims to find sustainable clinical solutions for common child health problems • A study into genetic screening for hereditary haemochromatosis, by A/Professor Katie Allen, her team and collaborators was published in the New England Journal of Medicine
MCRI ANNUAL REPORT 2008
• We reported in Diabetologia that children with Type 1 diabetes have improved mood, behaviour, memory and attention spans after using an insulin pump (a device which delivers insulin at pre-programmed times via a thin needle). The research was conducted by Professor Fergus Cameron and team in collaboration with the Children’s Hospital at Westmead • Researchers, including Professor David Thorburn, created a world first blueprint of the mitochondria, the ‘power plants’ of the human body. This significant discovery was published in Cell, in collaboration with Harvard University • Professor Ruth Bishop received a life membership from the Australian Society of Microbiology for her significant discovery which found that rotavirus is a common cause of childhood gastroenteritis and her continued work to produce a rotavirus vaccine • Researchers discovered a new mechanism responsible for causing symptoms in a rare bone condition called Schmid metaphyseal chondrodysplasia. The finding was published in the American Journal of Human Genetics and was led by Professor John Bateman and team
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MCRI ANNUAL REPORT 2008
GROWTH Total research funding for 2008 increased 22 per cent, a continuation of the strong trend of the last eight years. Our researchers attracted $17.3 million in competitive funding from the Federal Government’s National Health & Medical Research Council. We also received an additional $10 million in external grants and more than $1.3 million in competitive funding from international sources – 50 per cent more than in 2007. This success in attracting significant competitive funding highlights the growing strength of our team. The number of staff and students increased from 820 to just over 900 in 2008. A further 300 Royal Children’s Hospital doctors and allied health professionals and University of Melbourne academics conduct research within Murdoch Childrens, giving us a total team of 1,200. Engaging clinicians in research and encouraging them to conduct high quality work remains a priority.
YOUNG RESEARCHERS We are dedicated to nurturing our young researchers. In 2008 we had 116 PhD and 79 other higher degree students. We showed commitment to developing the top researchers of the future, with the Post Graduate Students’ Association and the Early to Mid Career Research Association providing professional development opportunities throughout the year. Students took part in retreats, seminars and a ‘buddy system’ and received travel grants with support from Murdoch Childrens and the University of Melbourne’s Department of Paediatrics.
KEY PARTNERS
During the year the campus council, with representatives from Murdoch Childrens, The Royal Children’s Hospital and the University of Melbourne continued to address high level issues relating to the campus partnership. The council is working positively to enhance the relationship between the three campus partners and to ensure we remain a world class centre of paediatric care and research. The Good Friday Appeal raised a record $12.5 million in 2008, with a proportion of that funding going to Murdoch Childrens for research. We thank all the generous donors who contributed to this wonderful annual event and the Royal Children’s Hospital for its commitment to research.
DEVELOPMENT OF OUR NEW HOME Work to build the new Royal Children’s Hospital commenced in 2008. The redevelopment of the campus is well under way with much activity happening on the building site, adjacent to the hospital. Our research space in the new hospital will increase from 12,000sqm to 26,000sqm. Staff have been consulted and will have ongoing input into the design to ensure a world class facility when complete in 2012. We eagerly await the completion of the new building as we already have 120 staff located off site in rented premises.
Our campus partners, The Royal Children’s Hospital and The University of Melbourne’s Department of Paediatrics are key to helping us achieve our mission to create knowledge to improve child health. In 2008 The Royal Children’s Hospital appointed a new Chief Executive Officer, Professor Christine Kilpatrick, who succeeded Dr Tony Cull. The University of Melbourne’s Department of Paediatrics welcomed a new Stevenson Chair of Paediatrics, Professor Paul Monagle. Both have joined our board (see page 8).
Work commences on the new RCH site
The site as of December 2008
MCRI ANNUAL REPORT 2008
PR & DEVELOPMENT With strategies to raise awareness, diversify income streams and secure new support from the corporate sector, net fundraising income increased 20 per cent to $4 million. A further $380,000 was received in bequests. Highlights included a very successful campaign featuring our ambassador Sarah Murdoch and the recruitment of two major corporate partners Snooze and Kay & Burton. These partnerships will help to further increase awareness of Murdoch Childrens and improve our ability to engage
new donors. The FOXTEL Lap continued to generate significant income and media exposure promoting our research. A campaign in honour of Dame Elisabeth Murdoch’s 100 birthday in February 2009 was launched, with many donors making significant contributions in recognition of her commitment to philanthropy and child health research. We thank our Patron Dame Elisabeth Murdoch AC DBE and four generations of her family for continuing to generously support the institute.
The Development Board (see page 9) chaired by Suzi Carp provided strategic input to fundraising and ‘friend raising’ activities. We welcomed new members Stephen Casper, Dahlia Sable, Paul Hameister and Clark Kirby. With the downturn in the economy, the focus for 2009 will be on enhancing relationships with long term and major donors and securing new corporate partners. Growing fundraising income remains a priority to ensure the Institute can continue to seed fund priority research initiatives.
ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS Our annual achievement awards recognise the exceptional commitment of high achievers in four important areas. In 2008 the award winners were: 1 The Discovery Award, for excellence in research achievement to a senior researcher 10 years or more post doctoral. A/Professor Paul Ekert for research into the role of cell death in cancer. 2 The Rising Star Award, for excellence in research achievement to a researcher 10 years or less post doctoral. A /Professor Katie Allen for research into genetic screening for haemochromatosis.
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MCRI ANNUAL REPORT 2008
3 The Teamwork Award, for exceptional commitment, beyond their own position to helping the Murdoch Childrens achieve its mission. D r Richard Saffery for his input to the biobanking committee, assistance at fundraisings events and mentoring of students.
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4 The Innovation Award, for outstanding innovation in research support Dr Ross McKenzie for significant contributions to the refurbishment and redevelopment of the Murdoch Childrens.
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POLICY & ADVOCACY Several submissions were made to the Federal Government specifically the Innovation Review, the 2020 Summit and The Excellence in Research Australia consultation paper. We also presented reports on the importance of child and adolescent health research to the Caucus Social Policy Committee in Canberra and to senior members of the Federal and Victorian Government.
LOOKING TO 2009 & BEYOND While Murdoch Childrens grew considerably in 2008, the tough economic times may have an impact on the Institute in 2009.
Mr Laurence G Cox AO Chairman
This is largely because our donation level may be difficult to maintain and we rely on donations to provide the underpinning to our research programs. Continued support from our donors will be even more vital if we are to maintain the pace and quality of our research. With the ongoing dedication of our researchers and support staff, guidance from our board and executive, and support from corporates and individual donors, we are confident that 2009 will deliver continuing success for the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute and improved health for children here and around the world.
Professor Terry Dwyer AO MD MPH Director
Thea & Luke
MCRI ANNUAL REPORT 2008
board of directors The Board brings a diverse range of expertise across business and finance, health and research. 1. C hairman Laurence G Cox AO Investment banker, director of various public and private companies and community groups 2. M r Martin Armstrong Lawyer and a director of various public and private companies and community groups 3. M r Anthony Beddison AO Chairman of the Royal Children’s Hospital 4. M rs Janet Calvert-Jones AO Chairman of Herald & Weekly Times Limited 5. M rs Suzi Carp Director of River Capital, Chair of the MCRI development board 6. M r Leigh Clifford AO Chairman of the Qantas Board and non-executive director of Barclays Bank
10. Ms Jane Fenton AM Director of Fenton Communications, Chair of The Victorian Health Promotion Foundation 11. Mr Peter Griffin AM Director, Rothschild Australia Ltd, Global Mining Investments Ltd. President, Cancer Council Victoria.
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12. Mr Ian Miller Managing Partner of Oceania Area People Leader, Ernst & Young 13. Professor Paul Monagle (from June 2008) Head of The University of Melbourne’s Department of Paediatrics and Stevenson Chair 14. Mrs Judy Paterson Director of Ace Radio Broadcasters
7. M s Patricia Cross Board Director of National Australia Bank and other public and not for profit organisations
15. Professor Richard Smallwood AO President of the Australian Medical Council and board member of Victorian Health Promotion Foundation and National Stroke Foundation
8. P rofessor Christine Kilpatrick (from October 2008) Chief Executive Officer of The Royal Children’s Hospital
16. Professor Geoff Tregear AM Deputy Director of the Florey Neuroscience Institutes
9. P rofessor Terry Dwyer AO MD MPH Director, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute
MCRI ANNUAL REPORT 2008
board committees Audit, Finance & Risk Management Committee Monitors the systems and controls established to safeguard the institute’s assets. Chair, Mr Ian Miller Mr Martin Armstrong Mr Laurence G Cox AO Ms Anne Cronin Professor Terry Dwyer AO Mr David Gillespie (from December 2008) Commercialisation/IP Committee Advises the Board on business development opportunities for the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries and on related issues including patent protection. Chair, Professor Geoff Tregear AM Mr Martin Armstrong Dr Andrew Baker Dr Angeline Bartholomeusz Ms Anne Cronin Professor Terry Dwyer AO Ms Sue Michelmore Mr Bob Moses Mr George Raitt Professor George Werther
Development Board
Investment Committee
Remuneration Committee
Provides advice on fundraising, marketing and communications activities to engage donors, supporters, media and the general public.
Advises on the financial investments of the institute.
Mr Martin Armstrong Mr Laurence G Cox AO Professor Richard Smallwood AO
Chair, Ms Suzi Carp Ms Lisa Bond Mrs Susannah Calvert-Jones Mr Steven Casper Dr Narelle Curtis Mr Tony Davies Mr Paul Hameister (from November 2008) Mr Ben James Ms Alyssa Jones (from June 2008) Mr Clark Kirby (from November 2008) Ms Marisa Leone Mrs Victoria Gillespie Mrs Sarah Murdoch Mr Angus Reynolds Ms Emma Rosenberg Ms Fiona Rowland Mrs Dahlia Sable
Chair, Mr Peter Griffin AM Ms Suzi Carp Mr Laurence G Cox AO Ms Anne Cronin Mrs Patricia Cross Mr Ben James Mr Dominic Leary Mr Paul Martin Mr Ian Miller Mr John Nickson Redevelopment Advisory Committee Advises on the redevelopment of the institute and the new Royal Children’s Hospital.
Victoria Clinical Genetics Services Board Oversees the activities of VCGS, an incorporated subsidiary of MCRI. Chair, Professor Terry Dwyer AO Professor Agnes Bankier Mr Laurence G Cox AO Ms Anne Cronin Professor Steven Holdsworth Associate Professor Andrew Kornberg Professor Finlay Macrae Associate Professor Paul Mitchell Mrs Judy Patterson (from April 2008)
Mr Rodger Dalling Mr Martin Armstrong Mr Laurence G Cox AO Ms Anne Cronin Professor Terry Dwyer AO Mr Leon Lachal Mr Guy Nelson Mr Angus Reynolds Mr Josh Slattery
MCRI ANNUAL REPORT 2008
Executive Committee Responsible for the management of research strategy, operational issues, research income and infrastructure development. Executive Committee 1. Professor Terry Dwyer AO Director 2. Ms Anne Cronin Chief Operating Officer 3. Professor Vicki Anderson Critical Care & Neurosciences 4. Professor Andrew Sinclair Early Development & Disease 5. Professor Sheena Reilly Healthy Development
Invited to attend 9. Dr Narelle Curtis PR & Development Manager (to June 2008) 10. Ms Alyssa Jones Acting PR & Development Manager (from June 2008)
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11. Ms Julia Malone Manager Grants Office 12. Dr MaryAnne Aitken Research Strategy & Communications Advisor 4
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6. Professor Andrew Giraud Infection, Immunity & Environment 7. Professor Andy Choo Laboratory & Community Genetics
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8. Professor John Bateman Musculoskeletal Disorders
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Organisational Chart The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne Professor Christine Kilpatrick
Murdoch Childrens Research Institute
MCRI Board of Directors Chairman Laurence G Cox
Director Professor Terry Dwyer Chief Operating Officer Ms Anne Cronin Engineering & Technology Dr Hassan Sadafi Finance Mr Viren Abeyasinghe Grants Ms Julia Malone Human Resources Ms Kathryn Bellion Information Technology Mr George Teng
Australian Paediatric Pharmacology Research Unit Professor Noel cranswick Clinical Epidemiology & Biostatistics Unit Professor John Carlin Clinical Research Development Office Dr Andrew Davidson
Scientific Services Dr Kerry Fowler
Internal Audit Mr Neil Harker
University of Melbourne Department of Paediatrics Professor Paul Monagle
Victorian Clinical Genetic Services (VCGS) Board of Directors
Victorian Clinical Genetic Services (VCGS) Professor Agnes Bankier
Critical Care & Neurosciences Professor Vicki Anderson
PR & Development Dr Narelle Curtis/Ms Alyssa Jones
Research Strategy & Communications Advisor Dr MaryAnne Aitken
Early Development & Disease Professor Andrew Sinclair Healthy Development Professor Sheena Reilly Infection, Immunity & Environment Professor Andy Giraud Laboratory & Community Genetics Professor Andy Choo Musculoskeletal Disorders Professor John Bateman
IP & Commercialisation Dr Angeline Bartholomeusz
CORPORATE SERVICES
ENABLERS
RESEARCH THEMES
MCRI ANNUAL REPORT 2008
Six-year-old Angus who was born very premature
critical care & neurosciences 12
MCRI ANNUAL REPORT 2008
Realising Angus would be born 15 weeks early and with less than 50 per cent chance of survival was terrifying for his parents, Michael and Andrea. He was so small that his parents spent six months in hospital by his bedside. Eight hours a day, every day. Initially, they just wanted him to live and breathe. But then their focus changed to wondering about how he was going to grow up. They decided to participate in a Murdoch Childrens Research Institute study to help doctors work out how premature babies would grow up and how best to care for them. Our researchers found that studying the brains of very premature babies using high-tech magnetic resonance imaging provides vital clues as to how those babies will develop. Our ability to identify children at risk for different types of development delay is critical for selecting the most appropriate early-intervention program for each child. Angus has now started school and is a happy, healthy and cheeky six year old. His parents say, without research, he wouldn’t be here today.
MCRI ANNUAL REPORT 2008
CRITICAL CARE & NEUROSCIENCES Enhancing the quality of life for children with brain injury, heart disease, premature birth, developmental and behavioural disorders, epilepsy, autism, stroke, serious illness and after surgery. Theme Director Professor Vicki Anderson
What we do We help save lives and improve the long term health and well being of babies and children with serious conditions requiring surgery and acute care, like heart disease, prematurity, brain injury, epilepsy and autism. We take a multidisciplinary approach to ensure more holistic treatment and management of acutely ill babies, children and their families. Our researchers are also involved in the care of patients, giving us the advantage of identifying the most important clinical issues and quickly put into practice our research findings.
Research highlights
Major achievements
• A study published in Brain reported that very preterm babies have difficulties with working memory – the ability to retain and manipulate information mentally over a short period of time
• Professor Paul Monagle was appointed Stevenson Chair of Paediatrics at The University of Melbourne
• Our researchers were involved in a study that provided the first evidence that children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are unable to identify certain smells
MCRI ANNUAL REPORT 2008
• Jane Galvin and Cheryl Soo received Victorian Neurotrauma Initiative Fellowships
• The Victorian Cerebral Palsy Register, which conducts and promotes educational programs and research activities, grew to 4,010 registered patients
• Research to understand the adolescent health outcomes for babies born very prematurely or with extremely low birth weight received a grant from NHMRC
• A study with collaborators at The Royal Women’s Hospital reported the best way to assist very preterm babies to breathe, with the findings published in the New England Journal of Medicine
• A multi-site randomised controlled trial comparing local and general anaesthesia for effects on neurodevelopmental outcome and apnoea in infants received funding from NHMRC and the USA Food and Drug Administration, valued at more than $7 million
• We welcomed a new research group, Developmental & Functional Brain Imaging, headed by Dr Amanda Wood
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• D r David Tingay was awarded a National Health & Medical Research Council (NHMRC) post-doctoral fellowship
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• Professor Paul Monagle and Robert Weintraub received the 2008 Outstanding Research Award in Paediatric Cardiology from the American Heart Association’s Council on Cardiovascular Disease in the Young
• Karsz FR, Vance A, Anderson VA, Brann PG, Wood SJ, Pantelis C, Brewer WJ. Olfactory impairments in child attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder Journal of Clinical Psychiatry 69: 1462-1468 (2008)
Theme investment
• Davidson AJ, Sheppard SJ, Engwerda AL, Wong A, Phelan L, Ironfield CM, Stargatt R. Detecting awareness in children by using an auditory intervention. Anesthesiology 109: 619-624 (2008)
Two projects seed-funded by the theme were successful in obtaining competitive external funding for research to commence in 2009: • A/Professor Alasdair Vance collaborated with researchers at the University of Queensland on studies of ADHD that received two NHMRC project grants of nearly $1 million • Theme funds awarded to Dr Vera Ignjatovic enabled the purchase of cutting-edge equipment for new and important investigations into blood clotting and facilitated collaboration with the Bio21 Institute
Publications The theme published 113 peer-reviewed journal articles. Highlights were: • Saigal S, Doyle LW. An overview of mortality and sequelae of preterm birth from infancy to adulthood. Lancet 371: 261-269 (2008) • Beauchamp MH, Thompson DK, Howard K, Doyle LW, Egan GF, Inder TE, Anderson PJ. Preterm infant hippocampal volumes correlate with later working memory deficits. Brain 131: 2986-2994 (2008)
• Babl FE, Oakley E, Seaman C, Barnett P, Sharwood LN. High-concentration nitrous oxide for procedural sedation in children: Adverse events and depth of sedation. Pediatrics 121: E528-E532 (2008)
Theme advisory group
Professor Linda Johnston Neonatal Nursing Research Professor Colin Morley, Dr David Tingay & Dr Rod Hunt Neonatal Research Ms Jane Galvin Neuro-Rehabilitation Research A/Professor Andrew Kornberg, Dr Monique Ryan & Dr Rick Leventer Neuroscience Research A/Professor Robert Berkowitz Otolaryngology Dr Lara Shekerdemian Paediatric Intensive Care A/Professor Brigid Jordan Social & Mental Health Aspects of Serious Illness
A/Professor Alasdair Vance Academic Child Psychiatry
Dr Karen Dunn Patient Safety Research
Dr Andrew Davidson Anaesthesia & Pain Management
Dr Peter Anderson & Professor Lex Doyle Victorian Infant Brain Studies
Professor Vicki Anderson Child Neuropsychology A/Professor Dinah Reddihough Developmental Disability Research Dr Franz Babl Emergency Research Professor Paul Monagle Haematology Research
Heart patient Millie with her brother Jamieson and sister Meg
Professor Dan Penny Heart Research Dr Timothy Cain & Dr Michael Ditchfield Medical Imaging Research
MCRI ANNUAL REPORT 2008
Professor Terry Dwyer and cancer patient Jordan, 5 Photo: David Geraghty, The Australian.
Early Development & disease 16
MCRI ANNUAL REPORT 2008
Chemotherapy was traumatic for five year old Jordan. Injections in his spine caused severe back pain and because of the drugs he gained so much weight that he couldn’t even walk up the stairs – his mother Samar had to carry him everywhere. Like many parents, Samar wonders why her son was affected with leukaemia. Whilst 80 per cent of children with leukaemia now survive, preventing the negative effects of treatment and the disease is a priority. Our team is heading up the world’s largest study into the genetic and environmental causes of leukaemia. The international collaboration will study one million mothers and their babies and has been touted as the most promising to finding a preventable cause. This study gives hope that future generations of children can live healthy childhoods free of leukaemia.
MCRI ANNUAL REPORT 2008
EARLY DEVELOPMENT & DISEASE Improving outcomes for children affected by conditions such as cancer, diabetes, hearing loss and disorders of sexual development.
Theme Director Professor Andrew Sinclair
What we do Many childhood diseases originate during early development. Our research is based on the understanding that faults in the genes that regulate these developmental processes, in combination with environmental factors can result in a variety of childhood diseases. Our work is focused on improving understanding and care for children by identifying the role of genes in the developing embryo and in conditions like cancer, diabetes, intersex conditions, deafness and liver disease.
Research highlights
Major achievements
• Important work published in Nature Genetics showed how mitochondrial DNA is packaged in the early embryo, a finding which in future could help families with mitochondrial disease
• Professor Andrew Sinclair was appointed Chair of the National Health & Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Grant Review Panel for Genetics for the second year running
• A project in collaboration with the Queensland Institute of Medical Research, discovered a new mechanism for epigenetic modification – the “turning on and off” of genes. The study was published in Nature Genetics
• A/Professor Paul Ekert was recognised with an MCRI Discovery Award for his contribution to childhood cancer research. He also received, with collaborators from The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, an NHMRC project grant to study genes involved in childhood cancer
• Our team discovered that tailoring the amount of insulin to the type of meal that is consumed, improves blood sugar levels in patients with type 1 diabetes who use insulin pump therapy • Research into cell cycle changes and the differentiation of male sex cells promises to increase understanding of normal cell development and testicular cancer. The data was reported in the journal Stem Cell
• A study to establish a perinatal bio-resource to investigate disease mechanisms leading to premature birth and extremely low birth weight received a $200,000 grant from the Scobie & Claire Mackinnon Trust • Dr Richard Saffery and Dr Jeff Craig were awarded an NHMRC project grant of $526,500 to investigate hormones involved in leukaemia • Perpetual Trustees donated $260,000 towards the purchase of a Sequenom gene analysis facility
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MCRI ANNUAL REPORT 2008
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Theme investment Two projects seed-funded by the theme were successful in obtaining NHMRC grants for research to commence in 2009. • Dr Don Newgreen and team received an NHMRC project grant of $484,500 to investigate stem cell therapy in babies born with birth defects of the bowel • Dr Stefan White was awarded an NHMRC project grant to study genes involved in the development of reproductive organs in children
Publications The theme published 46 papers. Highlights included: • Cree LM, Samuels DC, Lopes SCDS, Rajasimha HK, Wonnapinij P, Mann JR, Dahl HHM, Chinnery PF. A reduction of mitochondrial DNA molecules during embryogenesis explains the rapid segregation of genotypes. Nature Genetics 40: 249-254 (2008)
• Jabbour AM, Heraud JE, Daunt CP, Kaufmann T, Sandow J, O'Reilly LA, Callus BA, Lopez A, Strasser A, Vaux DL, Ekert PG. Puma indirectly activates Bax to cause apoptosis in the absence of Bid or Bim. Cell Death and Differentiation 39794: - (2008) • O'Connell MA, Gilbertson HR, Donath SM, Cameron FJ. Optimising postprandial glycemia in pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes using insulin pump therapy – impact of glycemic index and prandial bolus type. Diabetes Care 31: 1491-1495 (2008) • Western PS, Miles DC, van den Bergen JA, Burton M, Sinclair AH. Dynamic regulation of mitotic arrest in fetal male germ cells. Stem Cells 26: 339-347 (2008)
Theme advisory group A/Professor David Ashley Cancer Dr Ngaire Elwood Cord Blood Bank A/Professor Fergus Cameron Diabetes Dr Jeff Craig / Dr Richard Saffery Developmental Epigenetics A/Professor Henrik Dahl Genetics Hearing Research Dr Don Newgreen Embryology Professor Andrew Sinclair Molecular Development Professor George Werther Hormone Research
• Blewitt ME, Gendrel AV, Pang ZY, Sparrow DB, Whitelaw N, Craig JM, Apedaile A, Hilton DJ, Dunwoodie SL, Brockdorff N, Kay GF, Whitelaw E. SmcHD1, containing a structuralmaintenance-of-chromosomes hinge domain, has a critical role in X inactivation. Nature Genetics 40: 663-669 (2008)
Dr Richard Saffery and twins Imogen (right) & Tenille. Imogen had cancer at age 4. Photo courtesy Newspix
MCRI ANNUAL REPORT 2008
Five-year-old Caleb (middle) and his brothers Sam, 4, and Reuben, 1.
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Healthy development
Five-year-old Caleb started stuttering two years ago. His mum, Charlinda, says it hasn’t stopped him having fun and playing with the other kids, but he sees a speech pathologist for help. Caleb is also part of our Early Language in Victoria Study, the first large-scale study to follow the development of language in children from infancy to preschool age. With Caleb’s help we will gain a greater understanding into the risk factors for stuttering, the reasons why some children recover and others don’t and the relationship between stuttering, language development and temperament. Our research will help us to identify children who will need speech therapy for stuttering, so that we can ensure kids like Caleb get the help they need.
MCRI ANNUAL REPORT 2008
HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT Exploring the physical, social and environmental factors that shape the health of children, young people and adults. Theme Director Professor Sheena Reilly
What we do We are working to give children and young people the best start in life by preventing poor health and enhancing wellbeing. Our research spans generations of families as we investigate common problems like obesity, depression, substance abuse, behavioural conditions, language and literacy. We aim to improve quality of life by influencing public policy, health services in clinical and community settings, including family focused programs.
Research highlights
Major achievements
• Professor Melissa Wake and her team were recognised by the National Health & Medical Research Council (NHMRC) in ‘10 of the best 2008’ for ongoing research into childhood obesity. Melissa also received an NHMRC excellence award for ‘Most Outstanding Career Development’ for her research that aims to find sustainable clinical solutions for common child health problems
• NHMRC Career Development Awards were received by A/Professor Stephanie Brown and Professor Melissa Wake
• Research led by Dr Harriet Hiscock showed that managing infant sleep problems significantly reduces maternal depression, with results published in the journals Pediatrics and the British Medical Journal
• Dr Sophie Reid received a grant from the Telstra Foundation to conduct a randomised controlled trial using mobile phone technology to detect, manage and treat adolescent depression
• Dr Jordana Bayer and her team discovered that mental health problems often begin in early childhood. The findings were published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry • Professor George Patton led the analysis in an international study investigating depression in teenage girls. Pre-existing difficulties in managing emotions, family conflict and bullying are risk factors for depression emerging at puberty
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MCRI ANNUAL REPORT 2008
• The Victorian State Government awarded a grant for a survey that aims to measure community, family, school and peer factors that influence the health and wellbeing of young adolescents in Victoria
• Collaborative research led by A/Professor Stephanie Brown was awarded a grant from the Rio Tinto Aboriginal Fund, to improve the way services support Aboriginal women and families during and after pregnancy
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Theme investment • Professor John Toumbourou received theme funding for research into adolescents and alcohol misuse, which resulted in key publications and a successful grant from the National Institutes of Health (USA). The grant, in collaboration with the University of Washington, will fund ongoing research into alcohol use in adolescents • The Language & Literacy Group received theme funding to further a groundbreaking study on early stuttering. The study also received philanthropic donations from the community, which permitted the collection of additional data, leading to a publication accepted in Pediatrics and the award of an Australian Research Council discovery project grant.
Publications The theme published 60 papers. Highlights included: • Hiscock H, Bayer JK, Price A, Ukoumunne OC, Rogers S, Wake M. Universal parenting programme to prevent early childhood behavioural problems: cluster randomised trial. British Medical Journal 336(7639):318-21 (2008)
• Hiscock H, Bayer JK, Hampton A, Ukoumunne OC, Wake M. Long-term mother and child mental health effects of a population-based infant sleep intervention: Cluster-randomized, controlled trial. Pediatrics 122: E621-E627 (2008) • Bayer JK, Hiscock H, Ukoumunne OC, Price A, Wake M. Early childhood aetiology of mental health problems: a longitudinal populationbased study. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry 49: 1166-1174 (2008)
Theme advisory group A/Professor John Toumbourou Alcohol & Drug Use Professor Frank Oberklaid Health Services Dr Sharon Goldfeld Healthy Communities A/Professor Stephanie Brown Healthy Mothers Healthy Families Professor Sheena Reilly Language & Literacy Professor George Patton, Mental Health, Behaviour & Wellbeing
• Patton GC, Coffey C, Carlin JB, Sanci L, Sawyer S. Prognosis of adolescent partial syndromes of eating disorder. British Journal of Psychiatry 192: 294-299 (2008)
A/Professor Jan Nicholson Mental Health, Behaviour & Wellbeing
• Patton GC, Olsson C, Bond L, Toumbourou JW, Carlin JB, Hemphill SA, Catalano RF. Predicting female depression across puberty: A two-nation longitudinal study. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry 47: 1424-1432 (2008)
Professor Susan Sawyer Physical Health & Development
Ms Kay Gibbons Obesity, Physical Activity & Nutrition
Professor Melissa Wake Public Health Hearing
MCRI ANNUAL REPORT 2008
Peanut allergy sufferer Monte and mum Jude Photo courtesy Fairfax Photos
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Infection, immunity & environment
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It just took a hint of cashews in a piece carrot cake for eight-year-old Monte to be covered head to toe in hives and struggling to breathe. His mother Jude had to rush her son to the doctor for emergency medical treatment. It’s scary to think that cake can kill, but nut allergy is the most common cause of deaths from food allergy. And the rate is increasing. Food allergies in infants have risen fivefold since the early 1990s and allergic disease affects up to 40 per cent of Australian children. Experts worldwide are baffled as to why allergies have become more prevalent. There are no cures and no vaccines, only preventive measures. At the Murdoch Childrens, we are currently working an a cure for peanut allergy in children by examining a combined probiotic and oral immune boosting treatment. Whilst a cure may be years away, every day we’re getting closer.
MCRI ANNUAL REPORT 2008
INFECTION, IMMUNITY & ENVIRONMENT Addressing infectious disease, asthma, allergies, vaccine development, genetic epidemiology, gastrointestinal disease and dysfunction and global child health. Theme Director Professor Andy Giraud
What we do Our expert laboratory scientists, clinicians and public health researchers translate research findings into tangible benefits for children. We look at common infections, immune conditions, allergies and immunisation and also aim to solve severe health problems that affect many children living in settings of poverty. This is best seen by our work producing a vaccine against gastrointestinal and respiratory viruses, our improved understanding of the role of foods and allergens in allergic disease, and in the advances in treatment of infectious and environmentally generated disease globally.
Research highlights • Trial screening for haemochromatosis in secondary schools is underway following our study of genetic screening and environmental factors contributing to hereditary haemochromatosis. The study published in the New England Journal of Medicine was led by A/Professor Katie Allen’s group and collaborators • A/Professor Trevor Duke led a multi-hospital study investigating treatment of children with pneumonia in Papua New Guinea with results published in Lancet • Following long-term research, a partnership was formed with Seattle-based non-profit health organisation PATH to produce a rotavirus vaccine affordable to those in developing countries • A study involving Professor Anne-Louise Ponsonby’s group found reduced sun exposure
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MCRI ANNUAL REPORT 2008
during childhood and early adolescence can increase the risk of developing multiple sclerosis, while having younger siblings can decrease the risk. The results were published in Neurology • Results of a paper in Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology found soy consumption is not a risk factor for peanut allergy. PhD student Jennifer Koplin from Gut & Liver group also received a Fresh Science award for this work
Major achievements • The theme received six of the 11 NHMRC grants awarded to MCRI investigators in the 2009 funding round, with a total value of $2.2 million • Professor Ruth Bishop received a life membership at the Australian Society of Microbiology Annual Scientific Meeting for her significant discovery, which found rotavirus is a common cause of childhood gastroenteritis and her continued work to produce a rotavirus vaccine
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• Research led by Dr Carl Kirkwood to investigate the role of viral agents in triggering Crohn’s disease, an inflammatory bowel condition which is increasingly affecting Australian children, received US$200,000 from the Broad Foundation • Professor Graeme Barnes, recipient of the 2008 Howard Williams medal, delivered the Howard Williams Oration at the Royal Australasian College of Physicians Congress • Professor John Hutson AO was honoured with the Denis Brown Gold Medal at the British Association of Paediatric Surgeons Conference. The annual award marks an outstanding contribution to paediatric surgery
Theme investment Four projects that received theme seed-funding went on to receive NHMRC funding for 2009: • A study led by Professor Anne-Louise Ponsonby and her team into the role of low sun exposure in the onset of type 1 diabetes received $330, 625 • A/Professor Mimi Tang and her team were awarded $559,500 to further investigate lung function genes in asthma • Dr Bridget Southwell and team were awarded funding to continue their work on investigating treatments for constipation in children • A team led by Professor Nigel Curtis studying how to improve protection against childhood tuberculosis was awarded $456,500
Publications
Theme advisory group
The theme published 108 peer-reviewed journal articles. Highlights were:
A/Professor Mimi Tang & Dr Ralf Heine Allergy & Immune Disorders
• Allen KJ, Gurrin LC, Constantine CC, Osborne NJ, Delatycki MB, Nicoll AJ, McLaren CE, Bahlo M, Nisselle AE, Vulpe CD, Anderson GJ, Southey MC, Giles GG, English DR, Hopper JL, Olynyk JK, Powell LW, Gertig DM. Ironoverload-related disease in HFE hereditary hemochromatosis. New England Journal of Medicine 358: 221-230 (2008) • Duke T, Wandi F, Jonathan M, Matai S, Kaupa M, Saavu M, Subhi R, Peel D. Improved oxygen systems for childhood pneumonia: a multihospital effectiveness study in Papua New Guinea. Lancet 372: 1328-1333 (2008) • Kang LW, Crawford N, Tang MLK, Buttery J, Royle J, Gold M, Ziegler C, Quinn P, Elia S, Choo S. Hypersensitivity reactions to human papillomavirus vaccine in Australian schoolgirls: retrospective cohort study. British Medical Journal 337: a2642- (2008) • Dwyer T, van der Mei I, Ponsonby AL, Taylor BV, Stankovich J, McKay JD, Thomson RJ, Polanowski AM, Dickinson JL. Melanocortin 1 receptor genotype, past environmental sun exposure, and risk of multiple sclerosis. Neurology 71(8):583-9 (2008)
A/Professor Noel Cranswick & Professor Mike South Clinical Paediatrics & Therapeutics Dr Carl Kirkwood Enteric Viruses Professor Anne-Louise Ponsonby Environmental & Genetic Epidemiology Research Professor Andrew Giraud & Dr Louise Judd Gastrointestinal Research in Inflammation & Pathology A/Professor Katie Allen Gut & Liver Professor Terry Nolan Immunisation Research Professor Roy Robins-Browne & Professor Nigel Curtis Infectious Diseases & Microbiology A/Professor Trevor Duke International Child Health Professor Julie Bines Intestinal Failure & Clinical Nutrition Professor Colin Robertson & Dr Sarath Ranganathan Respiratory Diseases Dr Bridget Southwell Surgical Research
• Koplin J, Dharmage SC, Gurrin L, Osborne N, Tang MLK, Lowe AJ, Hosking C, Hill D, Allen KJ. Soy consumption is not a risk factor for peanut sensitization. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology 121(6) 1455-1459 (2008) MCRI ANNUAL REPORT 2008
A/Professor David Thorburn Group Leader Mitochondrial & Metabolic Research
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MCRI ANNUAL REPORT 2008
Laboratory & Community GenEtics
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Meet David, a passionate researcher who for the past 20 years has studied mitochondria, the ‘power plants’ of the human body which convert food into the energy we need for life. David was part of a team which diagnosed a mitochondrial energy generation disorder in a little girl who sadly died at just two years of age. Unfortunately these disorders affect around 50 children born in Australia each year. Some will die in early childhood, but others won’t develop the disease until later in life. The disease is caused by a mutation in mitochondrial DNA, a unique set of genes inherited only from the mother. Unlike traditional genetic diseases, it has been difficult to provide accurate genetic counselling and reliable reproductive options to families with these conditions. In conjunction with Melbourne IVF, we were able to provide reproductive options to the parents of this little girl, to choose an embryo that was not affected by mitochondrial disease. The couple are now the proud parents of a healthy girl who can grow up safe in the knowledge that this devastating disease won’t affect her life.
MCRI ANNUAL REPORT 2008
LABORATORY & COMMUNITY GENETICS Understanding the genetic and epigenetic basis of diseases including muscular dystrophy, ataxia, haemochromatosis, thalassaemia, mitochondrial and chromosome disorders Theme Director Professor Andy Choo
What we do We work to discover the genetic basis of disease and improve the prevention and management of genetic conditions. Based on our collective strengths and past successes, there are five priority areas for which our theme leads the world in research. These are chromosome-related disease, mitochondrial and metabolic disease, community genetics and screening, neurogenetics and disease, and genetic therapy.
Research highlights
Major achievements
• Dr Adrienne Sexton and A/Professor Sylvia Metcalfe published a commentary article in the Journal of the American Medical Association about their study that investigated the effects of disclosing genetic results after the death of paediatric patients
• A new research program into the genetics of early brain development was formed in collaboration with the Critical Care & Neurosciences theme. The program will investigate disorders that affect the formation of the human brain, as well as other genetic diseases of the nervous system
• Researchers created a world first blueprint of the mitochondria, the ‘powerplants’ of the human body. This significant discovery was published in Cell, in collaboration with Harvard University • A study established the most advanced blueprint for the three-dimensional organisation of the human centromere, the cell’s command centre for proper distribution of genetic materials during cell division. The significant discovery was published in Journal of Cell Biology • A study found that severe metabolic conditions are present more commonly than previously thought in newborn babies. The findings have implications for the treatment of these disorders during the first few years of life. The finding was published in Paediatrics
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MCRI ANNUAL REPORT 2008
• A study to investigate whether regular Tai Chi practice delays the ageing of cells and improves cellular energy functions received a National Health & Medical Research Council (NHMRC) complementary and alternative medicines grant • A randomised controlled trial of a genetic counselling intervention to investigate the communication of genetic information to families commenced • A/Professor Martin Delatycki was awarded an NHMRC Practitioner Fellowship • The Children’s Bioethics Centre, a joint initiative of the three campus partners, was formed thanks to a $1 million grant from the RCH Foundation
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Theme investments The following projects received seed-funding from the theme and as a result were successful in receiving external competitive funding: • Research to examine factors that control the segregation of our genetic material during cell division received a NHMRC project grant
• Marshall OJ, Chueh AC, Wong LH, Choo KHA. Neocentromeres: New insights into centromere structure, disease development, and karyotype evolution. American Journal of Human Genetics 82: 261-282 (2008)
Theme advisory group Dr Jim Vadolas & Dr Heidi Peters Cell & Gene Therapy
• A/Professor David Thorburn received a Muscular Dystrophy Association (USA) grant for research into the mechanisms of cellular damage in mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation disease
Professor KH Andy Choo Chromosome & Chromatin Research
Publications
A/Professor Howard Slater & Dr Desiree du Sart Cyto-Molecular Diagnostics Research
The theme published 73 papers. Highlights included: • Pagliarini DJ, Calvo SE, Chang B, Sheth SA, Vafai SB, Ong SE, Walford GA, Sugiana C, Boneh A, Chen WK, Hill DE, Vidal M, Evans JG, Thorburn DR, Carr SA, Mootha VK. A mitochondrial protein compendium elucidates complex I disease biology. Cell 134: 112-123 (2008) • Sexton AC, Metcalfe SA. Disclosing genetic research results after death of pediatric patients. Journal of the American Medical Association 300: 1693-1695 (2008) • Drenckhahn JD, Schwarz QP, Gray S, Laskowski A, Kiriazis H, Mings ZQ, Harvey RP, Du XJ, Thorburn DR, Cox TC. Compensatory Growth of Healthy Cardiac Cells in the Presence of Diseased Cells Restores Tissue Homeostasis during Heart Development. Developmental Cell 15: 521-533 (2008)
Dr Lee Wong Chromosome & Chromatin Research Dr Clara Gaff Clinical Genetics Research Dr Paul Lockhart Genetic Health Research (Bruce Lefroy Centre) Dr Joe Sarsero Genetic Health Research (Bruce Lefroy Centre)
A/Professor David Amor Clinical Genetics Research
A/Professor Lynn Gillam Ethics A/Professor Sylvia Metcalfe Genetics Education & Research A/Professor Martin Delatycki Genetic Health Research (Bruce Lefroy Centre) A/Professor David Thorburn & A/Professor Avihu Boneh Mitochondrial & Metabolic Research A/Professor Jane Halliday Public Health Genetics A/Professor Jeff Mann Stem Cell Epigenetics Invited to attend
Harry who has a rare brain development disorder
Dr Damien Hudson Chromosome & Chromatin Research Dr Paul Kalitsis Chromosome & Chromatin Research MCRI ANNUAL REPORT 2008
Cathryn Williams (pictured right) hears the good news from A/Professor Ravi Savarirayan, with her brother, Michael (right) uncle John (far left) and John’s sons, Chris and Stuart. Photo courtesy Fairfax photos
musculoskeletal disorders 32
MCRI ANNUAL REPORT 2008
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Cathryn considers herself lucky to be the odd one out in her family. Her grandfather, father, uncle, aunt, two brothers and cousins all have Stickler syndrome, a rare genetic malfunction in the tissue that connects bones, eyes, and ears that can lead to joint problems, debilitating arthritis, blindness, and hearing loss. Cathryn was suspected of being affected, but thanks to a test developed by our researchers, she now knows she does not have the condition and doesn’t have to undergo regular tests for medical problems. Providing diagnosis of Stickler Syndrome offers early treatment and prevention, prenatal options and accurate genetic counselling for other family members and future generations.
MCRI ANNUAL REPORT 2008
MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS With an exciting synergy between laboratory, clinical and public health research, we aim to improve the lives of children affected by musculoskeletal conditions. Theme Director Professor John Bateman
What we do We are working towards understanding the causes of inherited and acquired musculoskeletal, craniofacial and oral disorders through understanding cartilage and bone formation. Our research into conditions including arthritis, bone and craniofacial abnormalities, cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy will help us discover new and improved prevention and treatment strategies.
Research highlights
Major achievements
• Researchers discovered a new mechanism responsible for causing symptoms in a rare bone condition Schmid metaphyseal chondrodysplasia. The finding was published in the American Journal of Human Genetics
• Research to find new genes involved in craniofacial development received a National Health & Medical Research Council (NHMRC) project grant of $518,250 and will commence in 2009
• The Gait Centre for Clinical Research Excellence assessed the best way to measure walking in children with cerebral palsy, with results published in Gait and Posture • The development of a new diagnostic test for Stickler Syndrome will result in patients and their family members benefiting from earlier diagnosis and treatments • The discovery of a cartilage degradation pathway involved in causing arthritis in mice was published in Arthritis and Rheumatism
• Dr Richard Baker was awarded an NHMRC Practitioner Fellowship to expand his work into gait research for children with cerebral palsy • Research into patient-specific computational tools for diagnosing and treating gait disorders in children with cerebral palsy received an Australia Research Council grant of $350,000 • A/Professor Amanda Fosang became a faculty member of the Cartilage Biology & Osteoarthritis section in the Faculty of 1000 Medicine • Professor John Bateman was awarded the 2008 Barry Preston Award for distinguished contributions to connective tissue research by the Matrix Biology Society of Australia and New Zealand
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MCRI ANNUAL REPORT 2008
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Theme investment Seed-funding from the theme enabled the establishment of the juvenile arthritis biobank, which adds to the capacity of the MCRI biobanking initiative for future research into the causes of juvenile arthritis and other common childhood conditions. Theme seed-funding was awarded to a project investigating the rare genetic condition, Pierre Robin Sequence. The results of the research have been accepted for publication in Nature Genetics.
Publications The theme published 47 papers. Highlights included:
and ADAMTS-5. Arthritis and Rheumatism 58: 1664-1673 (2008) • Wilson R, Belluoccio D, Little CB, Fosang AJ, Bateman JF. Proteomic Characterization of Mouse Cartilage Degradation In Vitro. Arthritis and Rheumatism 58: 3120-3131 (2008) • Kuo Y-L, Culhane KM, Thomason P, Tirosh O, Baker R. Measuring distance walked and step count in children with cerebral palsy: An evaluation of two portable activity monitors. Gait and Posture, ePublication Nov (2008)
• Tan JT, Kremer F, Freddi S, Bell KM, Lamande SR, Bateman JE. Competency for nonsensemediated reduction in collagen X mRNA is specified by the 3‚ UTR and corresponds to the position of mutations in schmid metaphyseal chondrodysplasia. American Journal of Human Genetics 82: 786-793 (2008)
Theme advisory group
• Pace RA, Peat RA, Baker NL, Zamurs L, Morgelin M, Irving M, Adams NE, Bateman JF, Mowat D, Smith NJC, Lamont PJ, Moore SA, Mathews KD, North KN, Lamande SR. Collagen VI glycine mutations: Perturbed assembly and a spectrum of clinical severity. Annals of Neurology 64: 294-303 (2008)
Dr Shireen Lamande Muscular Dystrophy
• Rogerson FM, Stanton H, East CJ, Golub SB, Tutolo L, Farmer PJ, Fosang AJ. Evidence of a novel aggrecan-degrading activity in cartilage - Studies of mice deficient in both ADAMTS-4
Dr Roger Allen, A/Professor Amanda Fosang & Dr Jane Munro Arthritis & Rheumatology Dr Peter Farlie Craniofacial Research
A/Professor Nicky Kilpatrick Oral Health Research Dr Richard Baker, Mr Leo Donnan & Professor H Kerr Graham Orthopaedics & Gait Analysis Professor John Bateman & A/Professor Ravi Savarirayan Skeletal Biology & Disease
Cerebral palsy patient Shilpa, 7 takes part in gait analysis research.
MCRI ANNUAL REPORT 2008
vICTORIAN clinical gENETIC SERVICES
Matthew & Carly Myers, President of Genetic Support Network of Victoria
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MCRI ANNUAL REPORT 2008
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Victorian Clinical Genetic Services (VCGS) provides world-class clinical and laboratory diagnosis and counselling services to people of all ages. We support our clients and patients to make informed decisions about their own health and wellbeing through diagnosis, counselling, education and research. With input from medical geneticists, genetic counsellors, social workers and dieticians, we inform and support both adults and children. We screen all newborn babies and advise healthy individuals, couples planning a pregnancy and those with infertility, recurrent miscarriages, in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and exposure to drugs, chemicals or other substances at the time of pregnancy. Our research aims to develop new tests, technologies and genetic knowledge and we strive to be world leaders in genetic education and training. Our internationally recognised centres of clinical and laboratory genetics are known as Genetic Health Services Victoria and VCGS Pathology.
MCRI ANNUAL REPORT 2008
Victorian Clinical Genetics Services As Victoria’s primary provider of clinical and laboratory diagnosis of genetic conditions, we help more than 10,000 families every year and are committed to education, training and research. Director Professor Agnes Bankier
Director’s Report Victorian Clinical Genetic Services (VCGS) is unique, as a centrally administered genetic service, which is a subsidiary of the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute. With a network of clinics in 21 centres in metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria – and three sites in Tasmania working in partnership with other health providers – VCGS is the primary provider of genetic clinical and laboratory services in these states. We provide an unparalleled range and depth of genetics expertise to people of all ages.
Managing change The scope of our understanding of genetics is extending. It is moving beyond the screening and diagnosis of rare conditions to influence our understanding of common and complex conditions as well as their management.
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MCRI ANNUAL REPORT 2008
In February 2008, the management of VCGS within the Department of Human Services (DHS) moved from the Public Health Branch to Metropolitan Health and Aged Care Services Division. Following this change, DHS made plans to develop a new genetic strategy for Victoria. Together with the DHS, the future challenge is to develop a framework to strengthen existing services for families with rare conditions, mainstream services that can be delivered by other external specialists, and develop systems that will facilitate the incorporation of genomics into healthcare. In the meantime, VCGS and MCRI will continue to develop the future genetics workforce and plan for our accommodation in the new Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH).
Major achievements • After more than a decade of advocacy, we commenced the transition of care for adults with metabolic disorders from the RCH campus to Southern Health
• VCGS helped to develop genetic services at Austin Health, as well as cancer genetic services in regional Victoria, in anticipation of new funding from the DHS cancer action plan • An advisory committee was established to advise on issues relating to the newborn screening program. The committee is chaired by A/Professor Lynn Gillam, a clinical ethicist with RCH • Following a 12 per cent increase in Victoria’s birth rate, VCGS received $495,000 in funding from DHS to support our newborn screening and reproductive genetic services • VCGS embraced the new Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities and worked with the Genetic Support Network of Victoria to promote knowledge and review policies and procedures through the lens of the Charter • Staff members worked well with the RCH and DHS development teams to plan for office and laboratory space in the new RCH. Stage 2 plans were signed off
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• VCGS Pathology continued to review new technologies and evaluates their potential utility • The cytogenetic laboratory examined a number of new platforms to select the best technology for detecting sub-microscopic chromosomal changes
Victorian Clinical Genetics Services Senior Staff Professor Agnes Bankier Director A/Professor David Amor Site Leader, Regional Services and Head of Clinical Research
Ms Anne Robertson Quality Assurance Officer Ms Margaret Sahhar Senior Social Worker; Convenor Master of Genetic Counselling course Dr Desiree du Sart Head of Molecular Genetics Laboratory
• Redeveloped the reception area to present a more welcoming, functional and professional face to visitors
Mr David Blake Clinical Administration Manager
A/Professor Ravi Savarirayan Site Leader, Royal Children’s Hospital and Head of Training
A/Professor Avihu Boneh Site Leader, Metabolic Services
A/Professor Les Sheffield Medical Leader, Royal Women’s Hospital
• Genetic Health Services achieved quality accreditation from the Quality Improvement Council at the highest standard
Ms Sue Fawcett Site Leader, Royal Women’s Hospital
A/Professor Howard Slater Head of Cytogenetic Laboratory and Executive Management member
We are proud that our multidisciplinary team continues to collaborate to provide world-class genetic services and research to improve the lives of Victorians. We have achieved much and look forward to future developments.
A/Professor Clara Gaff Senior Genetic Counsellor and Executive Management member Dr Paul James Site Leader, Southern Health
Ms Jane Wallace Genetic Counsellor, Regional and Cancer services
Dr Nicholas Pachter Site Leader, Austin Health Dr James Pitt Head of Biochemical Laboratories and Executive Management member
Professor Agnes Bankier Director Victorian Clinical Genetic Services
Genetic Health Services Victoria www.genetichealthvic.net.au 03 8341 6201
VCGS Pathology www.vcgspathology.com.au 03 8341 6201
MCRI ANNUAL REPORT 2008
Corporate Services Corporate Services has responsibility for providing leadership and direction to the managers overseeing human resources, industrial relations, engineering and technology, intellectual property, grants, finance, information technology, and scientific services, to ensure the delivery of responsive, proactive, efficient and quality services. Chief Operating Officer Ms Anne Cronin
A major focus for the year has been the new Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) development that will give Murdoch Childrens Research Institute (MCRI) an identifiable space approximately twice the size it currently occupies at the RCH campus. We have been working closely with our project partners, Children’s Health Partnership, Department of Human Services, and the RCH, to ensure that the design of our new facility meets our requirements. At the end of December, stage-two plans for the Victorian Clinical Genetic Service (VCGS), the new animal facility and the wet laboratories were signed off. The year also saw a major move towards best practice management with occupational health and safety at the Institute. We have more than doubled our resource allocation
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MCRI ANNUAL REPORT 2008
into this important area and are developing a comprehensive program of policies and procedures, which includes training for staff working across all areas of the Institute.
Human Resources & Industrial Relations 2008 was a busy year for the HR team as the ground work of several key initiatives began. A comprehensive suite of organisational and professional development training opportunities for postdoctoral researchers – called the STEPP Program – was kicked off with a pilot management course. This will again be rolled out in 2009/2010, including offerings for group heads and executive staff. The backbone of the STEPP Program is a series of competency and training frameworks relevant to each employee position covering interpersonal skills and staff coaching and management. In rolling out this program, the Institute will be leading the way in our industry.
Engineering & Technology A number of refurbishment projects for existing laboratories and alterations to services were implemented to accommodate the growing Institute. Construction of the new MCRI/VCGS reception was a major achievement, providing a clearly identifiable front of house for the Institute. In order to accommodate researchers requiring office space, new areas were leased in the Kaplan House building on Royal Parade. 160 staff can be accommodated at the facility.
Intellectual Property & Commercialisation The Institute patent portfolio now holds 64 patents, which includes 16 granted patents, with six patents granted in 2008, five new invention disclosures, six new provisional patents and five international patent applications.
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New initiatives included workshops to provide researchers with feedback on plans to translate research.
and Management Information System began in October/November with the full implementation planned for mid 2009.
Commercialisation activities included the licensing of a joint research project with RCH to an overseas pharmaceutical company.
There is ongoing development of an electronic purchasing system for information technology and stationery. We continue to work with RCH on finance and purchasing systems to develop a seamless interface.
Two MCRI projects were submitted to the Medical Research and Commercialisation Fund and we were successful in obtaining NHMRC development grants, one for the rotavirus vaccine program and one for NaviGAIT, a movement analysis program developed through the Centre for Clinical Research Excellence in Gait Analysis.
Grants During the year, the Grants Office took on the co-ordination of the Institute’s animal ethics committee. Our ongoing grant mentoring program incorporated a series of seminars highlighting clinical and public health research. Grant information will be shortly available online to researchers within the integrated financial management system. Specific grant details, including scientific requirements and financial data will be easily accessible to researchers providing up-to-date information.
Finance
Information Technology Highlights for 2008 included the development of a web-based publication database to collect detailed information on MCRI publications and a standardised, secured biospecimen tracking and data-management system for our planned bio-banking services. A separate storage area network environment was provided for bioinformatics and network storage capacity increased significantly. The increased bioinformatics capacity provides more computing power to run large data sets and storage space for our large and growing data sets.
Senior Staff Dr Angeline Bartholomeusz Business Development Manager Dr Hassan Sadafi Engineering & Technology Manager Viren Abeyasinghe Finance manager Andrew Grimes Facility & Technical Services Manager Julia Malone Grants Office Manager Kathryn Bellion Human Resources Manager George Teng Information Technology Manager Debbie Zombolas Payroll Manager Dr Narelle Curtis PR & Development Manager Alyssa Jones Acting PR & Development Manager Konstantine Gogos Purchasing Officer
Anne Cronin Chief Operating Officer
Dr MaryAnne Aitken Research Strategy & Communications Advisor
Achievements for the year included a number of initiatives to provide improved services to MCRI and VCGS. We commenced the rollout of an Employee Self Services (ESS) portal that will enable staff to access information relating to leave entitlements and allow electronic applications for leave. The transition to a new SAP Accounting
MCRI ANNUAL REPORT 2008
SCIENTIFIC SERVICES & RESEARCH ENABLING FACILITIES SCIENTIFIC SERVICES
RESEARCH ENABLING FACILTIES
The scientific services team provides specific expertise and training in laboratory support, tissue culture and disease models.
Providing our research themes and groups with expertise in the areas of clinical trials and biostatistics.
Manager Dr Kerry Fowler
Highlights & achievements • 100 staff members and students in various laboratory techniques • The tissue culture facilities were expanded and refurbished to accommodate the increased demand for growing cell lines
What we do The team provided specific expertise and training in mouse models, flow cytometry and confocal microscopy, genome resources such as Bacterial Artificial Chromosome and P1derived artificial chromosome libraries, laboratory support, sequenom platform technology, shipping laboratory goods and tissue culture.
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MCRI ANNUAL REPORT 2008
• Four staff members were successful in obtaining diplomas or degrees after completing their studies • Training workshops were hosted for visitors and students on sequenom platform and tissue Culture technologies • Dr Kerry Fowler was an Invited Chairman and speaker at the Australian and New Zealand Laboratory Animal Sydney
Clinical Research Development Office Director Dr Andrew Davidson
The Clinical Research Development Office (CRDO) was established in mid-2007. It works alongside the Clinical Biostatistics and Epidemiology Unit to increase the capacity for clinical research across the MCRI, Royal Children’s Hospital and University of Melbourne campus.
What we do & achievements • As well as identifying needs of clinical researchers, providing advice for specific projects and building links between all clinical research facilitators on campus, in 2008 we produced written material and held seminars to guide researchers into clinical research. • Received a significant grant from the Macquarie Group Foundation. This allowed the office to expand, employing an experienced trials coordinator and launching new initiatives in educational materials and seminars.
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Clinical Epidemiology & Biostatistics Unit (CEBU) Director Professor John Carlin
The Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics Unit (CEBU) provides a range of training and methodological support to MCRI researchers, covering study design, statistics and data management.
What we do CEBU contributed to a wide range of research throughout the six themes of MCRI and beyond. We worked with more than 50 groups and departments on the Royal Children’s Hospital campus on more than 150 different research projects. Our short courses attracted 400 attendees.
Highlights & achievements • CEBU staff were co-authors on 58 publications in a wide range of scientific journals • An international study with the World Health Organization, published in The Lancet, looked
at signs and symptoms that predict severe illness in very young infants • A trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine found better ways to treat tiny babies with breathing problems • A/Professor Susan Donath published three new articles of original research on factors that predict higher rates of breastfeeding • A trial of a parenting program for preventing behavioural problems was published in the British Medical Journal • A/Professor Susan Donath was co-investigator on a successful NHMRC project grant for a multicentre randomised trial based in the RCH emergency department, to investigate whether the choice of nasogastric or intravenous fluid replacement affects the duration of hospital admission in infants admitted with bronchiolitis
BIOINFORMATICS Group Leader Dr Katrina Bell
The Bioinformatics Unit provides guidance in effective experimental design, analysis and statistical validation of biological data, enabling researchers in genetics and molecular biology to keep abreast of emerging technology and remain competitive.
What we do & achievements • We provided key support for a number of NHMRC project grant applications and conducted data analysis for more than 50 major projects
AUSTRALIAN PAEDIATRIC PHARMACOLOGY RESEARCH UNIT (APPRU) Group Leader A/Professor Noel Cranswick
The Australian Paediatric Research Unit (APPRU) conducts clinical trials in children to investigate the safety and effectiveness of prescription drugs and medications.
What we do & achievements In 2008 we continued to provide clinical pharmacology, research and development, clinical trial design and protocol development.
• We provided advice in areas such as phylogenetics, pathway analysis, cancer genomics, microarray analysis and genome annotation and visualisation • We also provided an introductory course for the Department of Paediatrics Honours degree and training in online resources
• Dr Obioha Ukoumunne was co-investigator on a successful Australian Research Council Discovery Grant to investigate patterns of recovery and persistence of stuttering in childhood MCRI ANNUAL REPORT 2008
financial report Murdoch Childrens Research Institute and its controlled entities
Income Statement for the year ended 31 December 2008
Consolidated
The Company
2008 $
2007 $
2008 $
2007 $
65,034,351
63,750,316
48,073,836
47,637,914
Depreciation & amortisation Other expenses for research & clinical activities
(4,277,216) (67,275,569)
(4,135,927) (57,714,208)
(3,926,294) (50,598,128)
(3,752,483) (43,484,128)
Surplus/(Deficit) on research & clinical activities
(6,518,434)
1,900,181
(6,450,586)
401,303
3,247,966 (263,365) 2,984,601
2,857,518 (334,561) 2,522,957
3,247,966 (263,365) 2,984,601
2,857,518 (334,561) 2,522,957
Finance income Finance expenses Net Finance income/(expense)
4,616,618 (10,129,640) (5,513,022)
4,247,257 (421,147) 3,826,110
4,568,713 (10,129,640) (5,560,927)
4,194,231 (421,147) 3,773,084
Operating surplus/(deficit)*
(9,046,855)
8,249,248
(9,026,912)
6,697,344
Revenue from research & clinical activities
Donation and Estates & Bequest income Commercialisation expense
*Operating loss affected by significant drop in value of assets
Statements of recognised income and expense for the year ended 31 December 2008
MCRI ANNUAL REPORT 2008
The Company
2008 $
2007 $
2008 $
2007 $
Change in fair value of equity securities available-for-sale (1,999,623)
(1,894,894)
(1,999,623)
(1,894,894)
Net income recognised directly in equity
(1,999,623)
(1,894,894)
(1,999,623)
(1,894,894)
Operating surplus/(deficit) for year
(9,046,855)
8,249,248
(9,026,912)
6,697,344
(11,046,478)
6,354,354
(11,026,534)
4,802,450
Total recognised income and expense for the period
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Consolidated
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Murdoch Childrens Research Institute and its controlled entities
Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2008
Consolidated
The Company
CURRENT ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents Trade and other receivables Other investments total current assets
2008 $
2007 $
2008 $
2007 $
6,828,130 5,899,353 6,924,574 19,652,057
5,432,882 6,534,329 4,984,141 16,951,352
6,411,717 3,653,568 6,493,284 16,558,569
2,505,791 4,631,947 4,552,798 11,690,536
NON-CURRENT ASSETS Receivables Other investments Property, plant & equipment
72,500 80,941,152 19,612,261
145,000 85,898,364 21,333,522
72,500 80,941,152 18,963,687
145,000 85,898,364 20,455,116
total non-current assets
100,625,913
107,376,886
99,977,339
106,498,480
120,277,970
124,328,238
116,535,908
118,189,016
CURRENT LIABILITIES Trade and other payables Secured bank loan Employee benefits total current liabilities
18,578,021 496,320 6,550,793 25,625,134
16,402,358 443,961 5,410,208 22,256,527
20,839,346 496,320 3,834,743 25,170,409
15,719,371 443,961 3,174,269 19,337,601
NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES Payables Secured bank loan Employee benefits
55,459,885 429,567 1,069,845
51,728,244 887,923 715,527
55,457,509 429,567 768,033
51,726,318 887,923 500,249
total non-current liabilities
56,959,297
53,331,694
56,655,109
53,114,490
TOTAL ASSETS
TOTAL LIABILITIES
82,584,431
75,588,221
81,825,518
72,452,091
NET ASSETS
37,693,539
48,740,017
34,710,390
45,736,925
MEMBERS’ FUNDS Accumulated funds Fair value reserve Capital reserve Special purpose funds Permanent investment funds Building development fund Fellowships & scholarships fund TOTAL MEMBERS’ FUNDS
6,097,697 (636,632) 400,000 1,973,647 26,258,827 2,600,000 1,000,000 37,693,539
15,753,556 901,430 400,000 1,826,204 26,258,827 2,600,000 1,000,000 48,740,017
3,114,548 (636,632) 400,000 1,973,647 26,258,827 2,600,000 1,000,000 34,710,390
12,750,464 901,430 400,000 1,826,204 26,258,827 2,600,000 1,000,000 45,736,925 MCRI ANNUAL REPORT 2008
Murdoch Childrens Research Institute and its controlled entities
Statement of Cash Flows for the year ended 31 December 2008
Consolidated
2008
2007
$
$
The Company 2008 $
2007 $
Cash flows from operating activities Patient fees received Government and other grants received Donations received Interest received Other receipts Cash paid to suppliers and employees Interest paid
9,240,149 45,334,880 3,447,966 1,369,066 12,922,954 (62,092,886) (90,323)
8,912,785 91,676,578 2,857,518 697,595 11,505,730 (62,090,255) (101,928)
- 35,150,882 3,247,966 1,321,161 12,922,954 (43,531,191) (90,323)
84,492,884 2,857,518 644,569 12,354,242 (48,132,257) (101,928)
net cash provided FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
10,131,806
53,458,023
9,021,449
52,115,028
3,247,553
3,453,534
3,247,553
3,453,534
-
-
3,500,000
-
cash flows from investing activities Investment income received Advances received from related parties Proceeds on sale of investments Acquisition of property, plant and equipment
7,624,000
1,037,000
7,624,000
1,037,000
(2,555,955)
(4,996,092)
(2,434,865)
(4,526,226)
Acquisition of investments
(16,646,159)
(55,023,111)
(16,646,214)
(55,023,112)
NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES
(8,330,561)
(55,528,669)
(4,709,526)
(55,058,804)
Repayment of borrowings
(405,997)
(394,391)
(405,997)
(394,391)
NET CASH USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES
(405,997)
(394,391)
(405,997)
(394,391)
NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
1,395,248
(2,465,037)
3,905,926
(3,338,167)
cash AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT 1 JANUARY
5,432,882
7,897,919
2,505,791
5,843,958
6,828,130
5,432,882
6,411,717
2,505,791
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
cash AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT 31 DECEMBER
46
MCRI ANNUAL REPORT 2008
47
turnover
Grants & Contract revenue
income – source of funds
45.00
80.00
clinical services 23% Donations & fundraising 6%
40.00
70.00
other income 7% 35.00
60.00
research grants 58% investment 6%
30.00 $ millions
$ millions
50.00 40.00 30.00
6%
25.00 20.00 15.00
20.00
6%
10.00
10.00 0.00
23%
5.00 0.00 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
7% 58%
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 year
year
expenses – application of funds research expenditure
clinical services 21%
staff and students
80.00
research expenditure 66%
900
development & fund raising 1%
Total staff & students: 894 (+8% from 2007)
70.00
800
60.00
700
Number of people
$ millions
50.00 40.00 30.00
research services 2%
staff: 812 (+9% from 2007)
Administration 6%
students: 82 (-2% from 2007)
Operations & building Management 4%
600
4%
500
21%
2%
400 1%
300
6%
20.00
200 10.00
100
0.00 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 year
0
66%
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
year
MCRI ANNUAL REPORT 2008
Patron Dame Elisabeth Murdoch AC DBE with Sarah Murdoch & cardiac patient Shaun Wilson-Miller.
our supporters We thank our many generous and committed supporters, including private donors, trusts and foundations, corporate partners, supporters and pro bono contributors. Government support
Charitable foundations
The Federal government awarded funding through the National Health & Medical Research Council and the Department of Health & Aged Care. State Governments also provided funds through the Department of Human Services Victoria, Department of Human Services South Australia, TAC Health Research Group, Victorian Health Promotion Foundation and the Victorian Multicultural Commission.
Our research was again generously supported by many charitable foundations including beyondblue, Financial Markets Foundation for Children, The Garnett Passe and Rodney Williams Memorial Foundation, The Heart Foundation, Hugh Williamson Foundation, Ilhan Food and Allergy Foundation, The Jack Brockhoff Foundation, Miller Foundation, My Room, Myer Foundation, Pratt Foundation, The RE Ross Trust, The Scobie & Claire Mackinnon Trust, SMILE Foundation, Thyne Reid Foundation, William Buckland Foundation and Windermere Foundation Limited.
International competitive funding In a testament to our world-class research, Murdoch Childrens was awarded more than $1.3 million in competitive funding from international sources, an increase of close to a 50 per cent increase from 2007. Major support was received from the Broad Medical Research Program, CureSearch National Childhood Cancer Foundation, Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance, March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation, Muscular Dystrophy Association, National Institutes of Health, Program for Appropriate Health Technologies Asian Rotavirus Surveillance Network (PATH) and the World Health Organization Rotavirus Program.
48
MCRI ANNUAL REPORT 2008
Murdoch family The Murdoch family continued to provide ongoing generous and personal support, with four generations of Dame Elisabeth Murdoch’s family involved. Our ambassador Sarah Murdoch leant her profile to promote a successful advertising campaign and the FOXTEL Lap. Dame Elisabeth’s daughter Janet Calvert-Jones and grand-daughter Judy Paterson served on the board. Susannah Calvert-Jones served on the development board and Paul & Robyn Handbury and Richard Payne & Fiona Handbury supported a new research program into the genetics of early brain development.
49
Corporate partners Murdoch Childrens acquired two corporate partners – Kay & Burton and Snooze. These brand level and mutually beneficial partnerships provide significant financial support as well as helping to promote the institute and its work to the wider community.
1
2 4
5
Corporate supporters Corporate support increased by 22 per cent through event sponsorship, philanthropy and workplace giving. Major support was received from ABN AMRO, ANZ, Charter Mason, FOXTEL, Herald & Weekly Times, KordaMentha, KPMG, Leader Community Newspapers, Life Property Group, Macquarie Group and Macquarie Group Foundation, NAB, Pace Micro Technology, Registered Investments, Roche Products, Russell Investment Group, UBS Wealth Management Australia, UEC Technologies and Wyeth Australia.
Pro bono support The provision of pro bono support allows us to keep our cost of fundraising to one per cent of total budget. Major contributors included APN, Austereo, Eclipse, Eye Corp, FOXTEL, Herald & Weekly Times, Inlink Media, Kay & Burton, News Custom Publishing, News Limited, News Magazines, Nova, oOh! Media Group, My Child Magazine, Omnigraphics, SCT Logistics, Servcorp, Splitrock, Sweeney Research and Virgin Blue.
3
1 Michael Gibson, Managing Director of Kay & Burton with Suzi Carp, MCRI board member 2 Laurie Cox & Susannah Calvert-Jones 3 Joan Lefroy, Katie Allen & George Lefroy 4 Our national advertising campaign 5 Partnership posters which are displayed nationally in Snooze stores
MCRI ANNUAL REPORT 2008
Special events Discovery day Now in its fourth year, Dame Elisabeth Murdoch hosted Discovery Day at Cruden Farm. The annual event themed ‘music and dance’ featured a special performance by Dorothy the Dinosaur. They day was attended by 2,000 people and raised $87,000. Thanks to major sponsors Herald Sun and Country Road, as well as Leader Community Newspapers, ABN AMRO Morgans, Marshall White, Splitrock, Sonray Capital Markets, Hall & Wilcox Lawyers, Bird in Hand Wines, Southern Bay Brewing Company and Genesis Fitness Club. Committee: Jackie Bursztyn, Romy Bursztyn, Susannah Calvert-Jones (chair), Victoria Gillespie, Linda McNaughton, Jill Murray, Susie O’Neill, Candy Rosenbaum, Lana Sheezel, Ellie Smorgon, Michelle Wenzel.
2
1
3
4
1 Children wait to see Dorothy the Dinosaur 2 Timnah & Isabella 3 Ella, Max, Jasmine, Natalie & Olivia 4 Gabrielle & Dominique with Dora the Explorer
50
MCRI ANNUAL REPORT 2008
SUPPORTERS
51
Golf days More than 80 golfing enthusiasts teed up for our third annual charity golf day, presented by Charter Mason and held at The Heritage Golf and Country Club. The day raised $32,000 thanks to sponsors and participating teams. 1
2
4
3
5
6
Open TV also hosted a golf day in Sydney, which raised $70,000. We thank Open TV for holding its second annual event in support of the institute. Raphael Mazzucco art auction A glamorous occasion featuring international celebrity and photographer Raphael Mazzucco. Almost $36,000 was raised thanks to Andy Valmorbida, Anthony McIntosh, John and Michelle Valmorbida, guests and art buyers. The FOXTEL Lap The treadmill challenge, now in its fourth year raised around $470,000. The event held in Melbourne, Sydney, Perth and for the first time Brisbane and Adelaide, saw more than 140 teams and 2600 participants compete to raise funds for the Murdoch Childrens. Sarah Murdoch and a host of FOXTEL celebrities fronted a multi-million dollar national advertising and media campaign.
7
8
9
Thanks to principle partner FOXTEL as well as Nova, Eclipse, Virgin Blue, Exercise Australia and SCT Logistics.
1 The team from Charter Mason 2 The team from Visy 3 Chris Miller 4 A hole in one?! 5 Ian Thorpe with a FOXTEL lap participant 6 Gerald Delany & Gowan Stubbings from Kay & Burton 7 Andy Valmorbida & Raphael Mazzucco 8 Sarah Murdoch runs for the MCRI team 9 The winning team from MCRI in Adelaide
MCRI ANNUAL REPORT 2008
donors & SUPPORTERS Thank you to all our generous donors, sponsors and event supporters in 2008.* A
A G Productions James & Anna a’Beckett Drew & Shadda Abercrombie ABN AMRO Morgans David Abouav Acadian Asset Management AFL SportsReady Agriculture Victoria Aidan & Oliver Biggar Cystic Fibrosis Fund Nicholas Alexander Saar Alfasi Emma Allen Simon Allen Tara Allan Amcom Telecommunications Kenneth & Ros Anders Con & Liz Angelatos ANZ ANZ Executors &Trustee Company Jim Apostolatos Maria Aravantinos Brett Archer Fiona Archer Christopher Archibald Arthritis Foundation of Australia Association of Greek & Affiliated Panhellenic Interests Asthma Foundation, Victoria Tracy Atkins Audi Australia Aussie School Photos Austar Entertainment Austbulk Shipping Australian & New Zealand College of Anaesthetists Australian Dental Research Foundation
Australian Finance Group Australian Nursing Federation Australian Research Alliance for Children & Youth Australian Rotary Health Research Fund Australian Stem Cell Centre Australian Stock Exchange Automotive Holdings Group Avant Insurance Limited AXA Australia
B
Baby’s Got Style The Bachrach Charitable Trust Badjar Ogilvy Bailee Ada Foundation Bailey’s Day Antony & Sybil Baillieu Lawrence & Davina Baillieu Andrew Baines John D Balmford Bank West Luigi & Iole Barbieri David Bardas Andrew Barlow Stewart & Natalie Baron John & Rosemary Barr Allan Barrett Kelvin Barry Martin & Anne Marie Bartlett Carl & Julie Barton Jo Baumann BDO Kendalls Tony & Kate Beaconsfield Beaton Consulting B Beck Nicholas & Jo Beck A M G Begg
Aaron Begg Katherine I Behrend Bennelong Funds Management Grant Bennett Laurence & Mary Benvenuto Bligh Berry Rebecca Berry Daniel & Danielle Besen Bexton Professional Beyond Blue Mr & Mrs Billson John & Dorothy Bines Tim Blackett Blake Dawson Richard & Rosanne Blumberg Lisa Bond Bone Growth Foundation Catherine Borg Jack & Lyn Borowski The Boston Consulting Group Paul Bourke Camilla Boville Boxy Design Sally Boyd Phil Bradley Emma Braun Terry & Helene Brennan Bo Briedis Rohan & Julia Briglia Patsy Brogan Errol C Broome Paul Brotchie Bob Brown Stephen & Renate Browning A Bruce BSA Limited Andrew Buchanan
Hans & Sally Bufe Albert & Kerry Burgio Inge Burke Lionel Burke Ryan Burns Will & Celia Burrell Anthony & Jackie Bursztyn Tim & Romy Bursztyn David Burt Mark Bury Terry & Judy Buscombe Buyers Advocate Australia
C
Peter Caissa Calvert-Jones Foundation James & Susannah Calvert-Jones John & Janet Calvert-Jones Mark & Louise Calvert-Jones Tom & Georgie Campbell The Cancer Council Victoria Saul & Kate Cannon Jeremy & Krystine Canny-Smith Canterbury Partners Anthony Cantor Adrian Cappola Scott Carmichael Barry & Suzi Carp Lisa Carr Michael & Carol Casper Russell & Louise Casper Steven Casper & Ilana Wald The Cass Foundation Adam Castricum Amanda Catanach & Nigel Fish Hailey Cavill & Tyrone Jaspers Cavill + Co Charter Mason
* Donations of $100 or greater are listed. Due to the large number, donors who sponsored a participant in the FOXTEL Lap were not able to be listed.
52
MCRI ANNUAL REPORT 2008
53
Amanda Cheeseman Nathan & Camit Cher Children’s Cancer Centre Foundation Brandon & Davina Chizik Ian & Liz Christian Matthew Christie Peter Cichello CJT Law Jenny Clairs Peter & Jan Clark Andrew Clark Marcus & Iwona Clarke Mathew Cleeve Peter & Joan Clemenger Matthew Clements Adam & Simone Clencie Leigh & Sue Clifford Sue Clifford Elsa Cocco Maurice & Lucy Cococcia Ross & Fran Cohen Philip Coleman Collier Charitable Fund Christine Collingwood Helen M Collis Hugh Colman Commonwealth Bank of Australia Nick & Kate Condon Davina K Conn Conrad Treasury Andrew & Marilyn Cookes Mark & Georgie Coombe-Tennant Reginald Stephen Cooper Sam & Sophie Cooper Amelia Coote Ross & Gina Copeland Phyllis Corben Phillip & Caroline Cornish Julian & Fiona Counsel Gerard & Louise Coutts Laurence & Julie Ann Cox Steve & Kammeron Crea John & Joy Crennan Rob & Camilla Cropper Marcelle Crosby Patricia Cross & Paul Meadows Amy Crutchfield
CSL Frank Cullia Elizabeth M Cunningham Rosanne Cunningham CureSearch National Childhood Cancer Foundation Jeremy Cutts Cystic Fibrosis Australia
D
Jack & Sandie Dahan Marie Daly June Danks Eleanor Danks Andrew Davidson Tony & Trisha Davies Jonathan & Briely Davis Rohan & Sophie Davis Christina Day DBR Corporation Richard & Sarah de Crespigny Deacons David & Kristene Deague Jonathan Deague Gerald Delany Ed & Helen Delany Gabe & Chris Dellios Frank & Elizabeth Demaria Department of Health & Aged Care Department of Human Services – Sth Aust Department of Human Services, Victoria Nicole Dews Edwina Dillon Ruth Dixon Ruth Dobson Peter Dollin Lachie Donaldson Dimitra Donoudis Amelia Doolan Abe & Vera Dorevitch Alan & Lyn Dow Michael Dowling Downer EDI Limited Nicholas Downes Madeleine Drake Brian Duggan Kimi Duncan Barbara Duncan
Jeff Dutton
E
Noel & Ellen Ebery Marnie Eden Anne Edwards Jacinta Efthim Jennifer Eikenboom David & Barb Ellett Rodger & Gwen Elliot Kate Elliott & Paul McMurrick Patricia & Robert Ellis-Jones Embelton Limited Sam & Liz Emerson Stephen Emmerson Ernst & Young Euroz David & Jeanie Evans Margaret Evans Marguerite Evans-Galea Tracy Evans-Whipp
F
Deirdre Farfor Cliff & Jan Farrow Bill & Janne Faulkner Luke Fay Darren & Carolyn Febey Judith Feiglin The Felton Bequest Jane Fenton & David Miles Doug Ferguson Robert Fiani Financial Markets Foundation for Children Phillipa Finney Ryan Fleming The Flew Foundation Flossy Said So Justin Follett Guy Fowler Andrew & Fiona Fox Lindsay & Paula Fox FOXSPORTS FOXTEL Marcus & Sarah Freeman Julian Freney-Mills Friedreich Ataxia Research Association Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance Mark Frost MCRI ANNUAL REPORT 2008
Sandy Fyfe-Ashman
Allan & Gillianne Griffiths
G
H
Roger Gamble The Gandel Charitable Trust Michael & Helen Gannon Neilma Gantner The Garnett Passe & Rodney Williams Memorial Foundation Bruce & Elisabeth Garratt Jono & Kelly Gelfand Sylvia Gelman Norman & Jillian Gengoult-Smith George Castan Family Charitable Foundation Con & Renos Georgiou Petru Gheorghiu David Gibbs & Susie O’Neill John & Susanna Gibson Michael Gibson Virginia Gibson Christo Gibson Charles Gibson Stephen Giderson Tony Gilham Gilham Financial Management David & Victoria Gillespie Gwynneth Gilligan Nadia Giltinan GlaxoSmithKline Quinton Gleeson Des & Tamara Glynn Sue Godson Ronny & Dina Goldschlager Charlie Goldsmith SF & MG Gooley Noel & Marlene Gould Louise M Gourlay GR Finance Hugh Graham Brett Graham Michael & Athena Grainger Grant Thornton Angela Grassy James & Rebecca Gray Elaine Greenhall Peter Griffin & Terry Swann Rosemary A Griffith Grant & Ciara Griffiths
54
MCRI ANNUAL REPORT 2008
H & L Hecht Trust Stephen & Jane Hains Michael & Jackie Haintz Maurice E Hall Hall & Wilcox John Halligan Halliley & Danks Stall F J Ham Geoffrey & Tracey Hamilton Michael & Susie Hamson Paul & Robyn Handbury Steven & Melissa Handbury Fiona Handbury & Richard Payne Brian & Sarah Hanly R Happell Tony & Susan Hargreaves Judith D Harley Harold & Cora Brenen Benelovent Trust Harold Mitchell Foundation Cassandra Harris Michael Harris Peter Harrison Judy Hawley Brian Hay Marianne Hay Sam Hayes Barbara Haynes Adrian & Serena Hayward HBO + EMBT HBOS Australia The Heart Foundation Geoffrey & Dorothy Heeley Helen Macpherson Smith Trust The Herald & Weekly Times Rosie Hersch Tim & Natasha Heughan Gerard & Ruth Higgins Matt & Heather Hill Andrew & Kate Hines Warwick Hoban D & E Hocking David & Kate Hocking W H & Rea Hodgson Mark Hogan Lisa Hood Grant Hooper
Danni Hosking-Haley & Peter Haley Leslie R Hoult Craig Hubbard Hugh Williamson Foundation Gillian Hund Robert Hutchison & MaryAnn McKenzie John Hutson Rob & Ro Hyde Bruce Hydon Michael Hynes
I
Ian Potter Foundation International Consultants Centre Icon Construction iiNet Ilhan Food & Allergy Foundation Stevan Ilic Illustra The Imelda & Geok Wong Foundation Peter & Penny Inge Peter & Elizabeth Ingham Margaret Inglis Inkifingus Nadine Inman Instanz Intensive Care Foundation The Invergowrie Foundation John Ioannau Irdeto Access
J
J & R McGauran Charitable Trust JH Stephenson & Son Leslie Jabara The Jack Brockhoff Foundation Daryl & Kay Jackson David & Rhonda Jacobson Ben & Ros James Michael Jeffery Kim Jennings Jenour Foundation Liz Jensen Rebecca Jensen Russell Johnson & Jill Murray Wilf Johnson Alyssa Jones Brendan Jones Fran Justice
donors & SUPPORTERS K
Kailis Bros Paul Kanat Bill Kardamitsis Melissa Kavals Kay & Burton Father Thomas Kazich David & Michelle Kearns Sally Keating Elizabeth Kelly David Kenley Peter & Noelle Kerdel Rhondda Kerr Kids With Crayons Tom Kiing Kilwinning Trust Jason & Caroline Kimberley The Kimberley Foundation James Kimpton Sheila F Kimpton Tiffany King Clark Kirby Robert & Mem Kirby Matt Kirwan-Hamilton Kmart Werribee Steve & Lana Knapp Knight Frank John & Coral Knowles Daniel Kogler Vicki Konstas KordaMentha KPMG Andrew Kroger KS Build Peter Kudelka Steven Kunstler Kuraby Special School Alex & Betty Kyritsis
L
L.E.K Consulting Sharon Lacy Ron Lambert Andrew Lane Robert Lang John & Yvonne Larter Carmela Lasorsa Ida Lau
Lavan Legal Penny & Tony Lawrence Lawson Grove Cafe Xenia Laycock Peter & Vera Lazic Leader Community Newspapers Ada Lee Barny Lee Andrew Lees George & Joan Lefroy Fran H Lefroy & David Jenkins June Leijon Leojohn Jeanette Leonard Marisa Leone & Stan Stavros Mark Leslie Arlene Lester Justin Lethlean Leukaemia Research Foundation Leverage Equities Sarah Lew Jeannette Lewis Pennie Lewis Paul Leyden Peter Liddel Life Lounge Life Property Group Limb Family Foundation Elizabeth Lithgow John B Little Little Squirts LJCB Investments Shirley Long Emma Longmore Stewart Lopez Geoff & Nanette Lord Shane & Jo Lorimer Louis A Lothian Jane Lucas Rory Luff Peter & Suzanne Lynch Lynne Quayle Charitable Trust
M
Karin MacDonald Christine Macgill Bill & Judy MacKinnon Dame Patricia Mackinnon
Alasdair & Prudence Macleod Macquarie Capital Products Macquarie Direct Property Fund Macquarie Equity Markets Group Macquarie Group Macquarie Group Foundation Fraser & Annika Macvean Magellan Financial Group Sarah Maimone Elizabeth Mair Robert Maisano Mallesons Stephen Jaques Steve Manolas March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation Panos & Effie Margaritis Marian & EH Flack Trust Boris Marjanovic Jeremy & Megan Marmur Elizabeth Martin Jon & Helen Martin Paul & Simone Martin Brittany Mauger Peter Maxwell Stewart May Mazda Foundation Anthony & Leanne Mazzoni Ian McAlister Robert & Robyn McAlister Neil McAvoy Jamie McBride Paul & Claire McCann Peter & Kate McCarthy Bruce McFarlane & Jane Charlwood Paul Mcglinn John & Marita McIntosh Jim McKnight Prue McLaughlin Rod & Lou McLeish Robert & Lisa McLellan John McMurrick Anthony & Victoria McNamara Ian & Libby McNaughton Linda McNaughton Douglas Meagher Phil & Glenda Mehrten Nick Meimaris Melbourne Community Foundation Mercedes-Benz of Melbourne
55
Merck Merrill Lynch Lee Mickelburough Andrew & Jean Miller Miller Foundation Rob Mills David Milne Michael Milstein Minc Communications Minter Ellison Mio Towels Marco Miranda Mirvac Group Mobile Screening Audiometry Andrew Monk Rosemary Monotti Mark Moody-Stuart Spiro Moraitis James & Stacey Moran Richard & Suzanne Morgan Andrew & Sharon Morley Multi Channel Network Guy Munro Ashley & Joanna Murdoch Dame Elisabeth Murdoch Sandy & Sandra Murdoch Muscular Dystrophy Association (US) My Room Baillieu & Sarah Myer Sidney & Fiona Myer Myer Family Office The Myer Foundation Allan J Myers
N
NAB Nadja’s Cellarbrations Chris Nash Nash Management Group National Ataxia Foundation National Credit Management Limited National Institutes of Health USA Natural Muscle NDS Asia Pacific Felicity & Michael Nettlefold Clive Nettlefold Guy & Sally Nevett Richard & Joelle Neville-Smith MCRI ANNUAL REPORT 2008
News Magazines NewsNet Mylee Nguyen Stephen & Sandra Nicholas Lauren Nicholls John H Nickson North East Newspapers Novo Nordisk Nurses Board of Victoria
O
Steven & Amanda Oates Paul O’Brien Susie O’Brien Travis O’Brien Dominique Ogilvie Nick O’Halloran Michele O’Halloran Vin O’Halloran Ryan & Sharron O’Hare James O’Hare OpenTV Australia Orana Catholic Primary School Tim O’Rourke & Mark Coombes Richard & Anita Owen
P
Pace Micro Technology Chris Palmer PAN TV/World Movies Kevin Panozza Elly Papasavas Dean & Catherine Park Ben & Tiffany Pascoe Rowly & Judy Paterson Sarah Paterson Patersons Patriot Asset Management Scott Patten Sam Patterson & Jane Thomas James & Libby Patterson Peter & Diane Pausewang Peabody Pacific Peet Limited Nunzio & Assunta Pellicano David Penington & Sonay Hussein Peony Passion Perpetual Trustees Jane Perrier
56
MCRI ANNUAL REPORT 2008
Peter Isaacson Foundation Vikki Peters Paul Peterson Elisa Peterson Anthony & Vicky Petsis Phoenix Trading Pierce Armstrong Foundation Piper Alderman Lawyers Travis Pitt Hank Pluim Gil & Natasha Polglase Portfolio Management Services Ben Potter The Pratt Foundation Martin & Kate Potter Adam & Jaki Priester Printco ProSport Health & Fitness Provincial Press Group John Psalidas
Q
Qudos Recruitment Adrian Quilter
R
The RE Ross Trust Shelley Racine Denis & Angela Ralph Martin Ralston & Lizzy Polk Naomi Ramm Andrew Ramsay Rodney & Donna Ravenscroft Katrina Raymond Ken & Joan Read Adrian & Christina Redlich Angus Reed & Penelope Milstein Registered Investments Virginia Reid Michael & Rosalba Renzella Andrew Rettig Angus & Lara Reynolds Peter & Jill Richards Michael & Elizabeth Richards Jim Richards & Margaret Jensen Chris Richardson Sam Riggall & Nicola Lefroy Louisa Robb Annette Roberts
June Roberts Ian Robertson Michael & Judith Robinson Lilian Rocard James Roche & Stuart Andrews Nicholas & Elizabeth Roche Ken & Gail Roche Danni Roche Roche Products Matthew & Julia Rockman Alicia Rodas Rodika Research Services Arch Roggeveen Tony & Rosalile Roosenburg BJ Roper Sara Rose Paul & Gay Rosen Barr & June Rosenberg Emma Rosenberg Jonathan & Nadine Rosham Rotary Club of Essendon North Marianne Roth Fiona Rowland & James Smith Peter Rowsthorn Royal Australasian College of Physicians Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Russell Investment Group The Russell Medical Foundation Angela Rutherford Paul Ryan Ryan Publications
S
S & R Fashions S H Stuart & Hunt Nathan & Dahlia Sable Mr & Mrs Sable Vivienne Sahely Andrew Sahhar Salesforce Mark & Maria Salwin Paul Sammartine & Meredith Squires Jonathan Sampson Rees Advisory Group Pamela Sargood Con Saris Jon Satterley Ross & Kaylene Savas
Jason & Gabby Scillio The Scobie & Claire Mackinnon Trust David & Christina Scott Sealord Group Jeremy & Carmen Seaton-Cooper Leslie Sedal G Sellars-Jones Stolle Sergis Glen & Natalie Sheezel Jenny Shelmerdine Frank & Ann Shelton Bernie Shinners Peter Shorthouse Sid & Fiona Myer Family Foundation Benjamin Silluzio Howard Silver Magdalena Simonis Mervyn & Susan Sims Nick Sims John & Daphne Sironic Mark & Toni Skaife Geoff Slade Nick & Caroline Sladen Slater & Gordon Footscray Anthony Slattery David & Linda Slobom SMILE Foundation Zoe Smith Cathy Smith Ken Smithson Andrew Smolka Annette Smorgon Dale & Melanie Smorgon Samuel Smorgon Lara Snell-Bliss Snooze Snowy Nominees J Sofianopoulos John Solly Sonray Capital Markets South of the River Gospel Choir Annette Sparks Speech Pathology Australia Rob & Trish Spencer Neil Spitzer Sportsbet Sportsco St George Bank
57
St John’s Card Group St Thomas’ Ladies Guild Chantal Stammers Geoff & Karen Stansen Anastasia Starzynski State Trustees Australia Foundation Margarete Steffens Andrew Stenhouse Sir Ninian & Valery Stephen F Douglas Stephens Grant & Terri Stephenson Karen Stephenson Jane Stergio Bert & Sally Stewart Campbell Stewart Ian Stewart Margaret Stratfold A A Street Peter & Fiona Strintzos Colin & Susie Stuart Gowan & Cath Stubbings Colin & Helen Styring Caroline Sullivan David & Sarah Summerfield Brett & Cam Sunshine Andrew & Sally Sutherland Elizabeth J Swain David & Jenny Swann The Swann Group Sue Sweeney Hollie Sweet
T
TAC Health Research Group Peter & Mary Tallis Shane Tanner Jason Taylor Verity Taylor Luke Tehan The Telstra Foundation Julie Temmo Rodney & Idit Teperman Ion Teska Teska Carson Thalassaemia Society of New South Wales Thalassaemia Society of South Australia Peter & Debbie Thomas Peter & Rowena Thomas Niki Thomet
David & Michelle Thompson Michael Thorburn Guy Thornycroft Thyne Reid Foundation Rob Till Tobumo John Tomaras Mark Topy TownMouse Penny Treyvaud Paraskevi Triantafillou Michael & Donna Tricarico TrueLocal Mireille Turner Two Way TV Nick Tyshing & Narelle Curtis
U
UBS Wealth Management Australia UEC Technologies Uncle Bobs Club UniSuper Patrick Upfold David & Louise Urquhart
V
Daimion Vadolas Andy Valmorbida Elsie Valmorbida Julian & Amy Valmorbida Michael & Candida Valmorbida Garry & Rosie Van Egmond Frank & Sharon van Haandel Ian Vaughan Rob Vickers-Willis Victor Smorgon Charitable Fund Victorian Health Promotion Foundation Victorian Medical Insurance Agency Victorian Multicultural Commission Victorian Neurotrauma Initiative VIMIA Visy Vital Stim Daniel Vitari
W
Claudia Wadsworth Andrew Walker Frank & Rhonda Walker Don Wallace-Mitchell
David Wallis Michael Walsh John Warburton Cameron & Emma Warwick Peter Waters Robert Watmuff John & Joan Watson Bob & Lynette Watson Peta Watson Paul Webber & Deborah Gray Tony & Valerie Wenzel Mark & Michelle Wenzel Stuart & Sara Whatling Ursula Whiteside David & Bibby Wilkinson Sam Wilkinson The William Angliss Charitable Fund William Buckland Foundation Ashley Williams & Sarah Morgan Andrew Williams Gwen Wilson Melanie Wilson Simon Wilson Paul Wilson Ross & Robyn Wilson Windermere Foundation Limited Ron Winestock Winetitles Rob & Linda Witchell Peter & Michelle Wood Nigel Woods World Health Organization Steven & Jacquie Worth Wyeth Australia Wyllie Group
X
XYZ Networks
Y
Michael & Louise Yates Toby Yates Leonard Yong & Doreen See Robin & Sally Young The Yulgilbar Foundation Kwong & Ronnie Yung
Z
Ferial Zekiman Peter Zwar MCRI ANNUAL REPORT 2008
Estates
Estate of Elma Mavis Robertson Estate of Gladys M Williams Estate of Justin Peter Lowndes Estate of Margery I Pierce Estate of Moyia Agnes Caroline Armstrong Estate of Nance Elizabeth Creaton
In celebration of Shane & Caron Callaghan’s wedding L J & P M McCosker
In celebration of Lily Davies’ birthday
Tony & Kate Beaconsfield Barry & Emily Brott Danielle Davies Mark & Ariella Levin Shana Levine Mark & Sharon Roseman Sax International Emily Slade Neal & Gina Super Robert & Felicia Szwarcberg Niv & Joanne Tadmore Barry & Mandie Teperman David & Natalie Weissman Jeremy Wrobel
In celebration of Ruben Fried’s birthday Evelyn Field
In celebration of Iliana Haviaridis’ birthday
Antoine Daher & Marianne Cini G & E Deligiannis Peter & Vicki Giannopoulos P & S Hatzipascalis Stella Kechagias
In celebration of Harry Payne’s birthday Petra Chambers Dionne Jolly Frank & Katarina Manczal Nicole Middleton Kelley Renshaw Edward & Sally Shoebridge Kerry Tidswell Russell & Natasha Twigg
58
MCRI ANNUAL REPORT 2007 8
David & Antonia Wishart Brandon & Danielle Ziervogel
In celebration of Sascha Sable’s birthday
Judith Adler Mr & Mrs Borowski Sergio & Andreia Brodsky Anthony & Jackie Bursztyn Brandon & Nicky Carp Eddie & Ella Caspi Mr & Mrs Cohen Mr & Mrs Davis Mia Friedmann Hans Friend Boris & Margaret Gelberg Joel & Tammy Gerschman Mr & Mrs Goldberg David & Geinia Goldberger Ronny & Dina Goldschlager Mr Hadad Leon Haskin & Jill Rosenberg Stephen & Lisa Jolson Louis & Fay Krain Sarah Lew Berry Liberman Arnold & Susan Moss Phillip & Sylvia Piorun Barry & Sara Raboy Emma Rosenberg Marianne Roth Andrew & Sharon Ryan Max & Freda Sable Mr & Mrs Sable Nathan & Dahlia Sable Dee Shinewell Michael & Sharonne Slonim Sam & Helen Sokolski Carson & Jessica Stimson Mr & Mrs Swiatlo Mr & Mrs Tempelhof
In celebration of Hunter Weeden’s Bar Mitzvah Tony & Kate Beaconsfield Daniel & Danielle Besen Ken & Cathi Biddick Grant & Lindy Blashki Andrew & Lisa Blode
Mannie & Minnie Boltin Rose Boltin Jack & Lyn Borowski Tali Borowski Velvel Borowski Zac & Lori Braun Ben Burstin David & Doris Burstin Leon & Tania Burstin Maurice & Tonia Burstin Barry & Suzi Carp Brandon & Nicky Carp Michael A Carp Naomi Carrick Brendon & Lisa Davies Richard & Danielle Davies The Dimonte Family Susan Fealy Rob Fisher Jerry & Lillian Freidman Jono & Kelly Gelfand Josh Gelfand Raphie & Fiona Geminder Joe & Zita Gersh Nigel & Leora Givoni Ronny & Annette Goldberg Daryl & Danielle Goldman Alan & Pam Goldstone Craig & Lisa Green Jack & Dianne Gringlas Brian Hamersfeld & Natalie Bloom Cassandra Harris Michael Harris Robbie & Cilla Hilton The Hirsh family Emanuel Hirsh Nikki Hirsh Steve Hirsh Steven Holden Xavier Holly-Schwaerzler Dean & Shareen Joel Stephen & Lisa Jolson Michael & Sylvia Kantor Darcy King Jeremy Kotefski Leigh & Ashley Krongold Wayne & Galit Krongold Rob Lehrer
Nick Lewis LJCB Investments Elly Melzer Sophie Miles Danita Moshinsky Lionel & Karen Mrocki Morry & Chana Mrocki John & Anita Narduzzo Simon & Beryl Nirens Max & Helene Oberman Ron & Susie Reichwald Mark & Debbie Roper Mark & Sharon Roseman Emma Rosenberg Daniel Starr & Karen Salter Ron & Cynthia Salter Les & Freidi Segal Adam Sekler Jean Sharp Steven & Louise Skala David Smorgon Harold & Tracey Sternfeld Sara Stockdale-Williamson Niv & Joanne Tadmore Barry & Mandie Teperman Phillip & Aviva Teperman Rodney & Idit Teperman Evan Thornley & Tracey Ellery Michelle Trevorrow Mick & Natasha Watt Danny Weinstock & Jenny Buch Michael Weisler Tommy & Lyla Weisler David & Natalie Weissman Michael Wise & Deborah Rechter Lee Wolfe Lewis & Deb Woolf David & Kate Worth Lalage Zagroon Shay & Anna Zayontz
In memory of Jason Armour Michelle Mulder
In memory of Owen Brokensha Aquanas RACV Club
In memory of Suzanne Brown Jack & Irene Brown
donors & SUPPORTERS In memory of Nancy Burrowes Fran Burrowes Allan & Lorraine Curtis Nick Tyshing Ray & Christine Tyshing
In memory of Megan Connolly Philip Morgan
In memory of Lydia Elbourne Valerie Elbourne
In memory of Carma Irwin
Richard Payne & Fiona Handbury
In memory of Millie Falla
Matthew Hicks & Sarah Nankivell Patricia Howie Kylie Jayne McCrae Cameron & Hannah Stowe Ballarat Football League Social Club Kailis Bros Nestle Dairy Products Redan Football Club
In memory of Christopher Fama C E Andrews Terry Casey & Paula Wright Steve & Jean Cunningham Peter & Mary Fama W Mallett Anne Patterson
In memory of Mary Lampitsi Jane Lampitsi
In memory of Preston Lewis Jillian Lewis
In memory of Rob Loomes Jennifer Riccioni
In memory of Justin Peter Lowndes Helen Bruinier Gus & Leanne Gelsi Jarrod Moroni Bruce Tonkin Ian Turner Karl Webster
In memory of Shaun Martin Ken & Irene Redman
In memory of Robert Mohr Danielle Suss A & S Wiser
In memory of Georgia Morrison Australian Medical Association
In memory of Indiana Orlando Ross & Judith Gardner
In memory of Matthew Paikos Maria Paikos
In memory of Emma Ritchie Sue Ritchie
In memory of Jai Roderick Rosalie Stokes
In memory of Mark Zimmer Debbie Reed
Pro bono supporters AdEd Flavour The Adelaide Advertiser Akarbra APN Arid Zone Audi Australia Austereo Australia Post Australian Fair Organ Bib Stillwell BMW Bird in Hand BMW Group Company Bright Stars Bump Magazine Calibre Barry & Suzi Carp Chill Out & About City Weekly Collette Dinnigan Country Road Country Style The Courier Mail Crocs Australia Crown Towers The Daily Telegraph Damm Fine Food DJ Southwick Drummond Golf Eclipse
Emporium Endota Spa Retreat Exercise Australia Eye Corp Fairfax Community Network The Fitness Generation Foster’s Group FOXTEL Gwenda Hance Fiona Handbury Derek Henderson Edgar Genesis Fitness Clubs The Herald & Weekly Times Herald Sun Heritage Golf & Country Club HR Partners Hub Group Inlink Media Inspired Living Australia Joanne Mercer Jump N Play Kay & Burton Kellybrook Wines Kirby family KPMG La Clinica The Langham Melbourne Leader Community Newspapers Longrain The Lyall Hotel and Spa Marshall White Anthony McIntosh Melbourne Weekly Melbourne’s Child Mercedes-Benz of Melbourne The Mercury Messenger Mirvac Hotels & Resorts Mobile Playgrounds Mountain Buggy Australia Music Theatre Australia My Child Magazine News Custom Publishing News Ltd News Magazines Nichemark
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Nike Notebook Nova NT News Omnigraphics oOh! Media Group Paperlinx Peninsula Toilet Hire Perth Sunday Times Place Settings for Hire Playgro Rats of Tobruk Rear Window Locations Rockpool Bar & Grill Mr & Mrs Michael & Candy Rosenbaum Royce Hotel Nathan & Dahlia Sable Samsung Scanlan & Theodore SCT Logistics Sebel Heritage Sebel Palm Cove Servcorp ShowFX Snooze Song Room Choir Sony South of the River Gospel Choir Southern Bay Brewing Co Splitrock State Emergency Service, Frankston Sunday Magazine Sunny Ridge Strawberry Farm Supagas Sweeney Research Thierry B Galleries Unilever Australia Andy Valmorbida John & Michelle Valmorbida Virgin Blue Vue de Monde Samantha Wagner Western Bulldogs Football Club The Wiggles Zazu African Drumming
MCRI ANNUAL REPORT 2008
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MCRI ANNUAL REPORT 2006 8
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Thanks to the following organisations who generously assisted in the production of this report.
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Sarah Murdoch, Ambassador Edited by Kylie Skotnicki & Alyssa Jones (pr@mcri.edu.au)
MCRI ANNUAL REPORT 2008
Murdoch Childrens Research Institute Royal Children’s Hospital Flemington Road, Parkville Victoria 3052 Australia Phone: 1300 766 439 Fax: 61 3 9348 1391 www.mcri.edu.au ABN: 21 006 566 972