At Telethon Kids Institute, we’ve always known what a fantastic community we have around us.
From study participants, to fundraisers and volunteers, and those who help shape and share our research, the Telethon Kids community plays an incredibly important role in what we do, how we do it, and what we achieve.
That’s why we were thrilled to officially launch Telethon Kids CONNECT, our new program that honours the many ways our community supports us to make our research great and achieve our vision of happy healthy kids. To find out about the benefits of being a CONNECT member please see an invitation from our Director, Jonathan Carapetis.
Community members and staff came together to celebrate CONNECT which was launched by our Director Jonathan Carapetis AM and consumer advocate Catherine, who signed-up as the first CONNECT member. Catherine also gave a heart-warming speech in which she shared her incredible journey in research advocacy, Glenn Pearson, Deputy Director Aboriginal Health, kicked off the evening with a fantastic Acknowledgment of Country and there was a special message from our Patron Fiona Stanley AC.
The launch of CONNECT is the culmination of much planning and consultation with both community members and staff to ensure we acknowledge, reward and thank those who contribute to our research, and help them connect and engage with us and other community members.
Our thanks to everyone who has been involved in putting together CONNECT, a program we believe is an innovative and unique way of working with our community. As one of our first CONNECT members said of the launch:
It was like a big warm hug and a welcome into a much larger family.
If you are engaging with the Institute you are invited to join CONNECT. You might be part of a research committee or advisory group; taking part in research projects, studies or trials; supporting community fundraising or donating; advocating for research to be translated and sharing information about our research and its results. All of you are making an important contribution and are welcome to be part of CONNECT.
First published Friday 9 October 2020.
Telethon Kids CONNECT honours the many ways our community supports us to make our research great and achieve our vision of happy healthy kids.
There’s a lot to be proud of and celebrate – our community plays an important role in what we do, how we do it, and what we achieve.
Media Contacts
Please direct and general or media enquiries to:
Danny Della Vedova
CONNECT Program Coordinator
Phone: +61 8 6319 1239
Email: CONNECT
About Telethon Kids Institute
The Telethon Kids Institute is one of the largest and most successful medical research institutes in Australia, comprising a dedicated and diverse team of more than 1300 staff and students.
We've created a bold blueprint that brings together community, researchers, practitioners, policy makers and funders, who share our vision to improve the health and wellbeing of children through excellence in research.
The Institute is headed by leading paediatrician and infectious diseases expert Professor Jonathan Carapetis, with Founding Director Professor Fiona Stanley now Patron.
Telethon Kids is independent and not-for-profit. The majority of funding comes from our success in winning national and international competitive research grants. We also receive significant philanthropic support from corporate Australia and the community.