Sharon Claydon (Newcastle, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

The Hunter Medical Research Foundation recently held their awards night to celebrate some of the remarkable work that their scientists do every day. The 2015 Researcher of the Year Award went to Professor Julie Byles for her work on optimising planning and service delivery for an ageing global population. Professor Byles was instrumental in establishing the Australian longitudinal study on women's health in 1995 and continues to lead it today, as some of the original study participants advance into their 90s. Her expert advice has been sought by successive federal governments and she is a highly valued adviser to the World Health Organization on a range of important public health policies.

The Director's Award for Mid-Career Research was presented to Professor Philip Morgan. This prestigious award adds to a list of 30 major research and teaching accolades that he has won since completing his PhD in 2003. His obesity prevention programs have been delivered with unprecedented success. Global adaptations of the Healthy Dads, Healthy Kids program are now underway in the UK and US—nations that are facing an epidemic of obesity. I also pay tribute to the local CFMEU mining and energy division for their donation of $100,000 towards improved treatment and testing for prostate cancer.

HMRI is a remarkable facility with a brilliant team that continues to make a truly significant contribution to science here in Australia and globally.

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