Women’s network aims to improve children’s health in Victoria and worldwide

A NEW network of women promises to become a force supporting cutting-edge medical research to help improve the lives of children in Victoria and around the world.

A NEW network of women promises to become a force supporting cutting-edge medical research to help improve the lives of children in Victoria and around the world.

STUDY PROBES HEALTH IMPACT OF CHILDREN’S LIFESTYLES

MCRI director Professor Kathryn North. Picture: Stuart McEvoy

Last night marked the launch of the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute’s new “Women’s Network” at Government House.

MCRI director Professor Kathryn North told the gathering: “We hope that this network is going to provide us and many other women with a great avenue to improve the future  health  of  our children.”

Prof North said two-thirds of her 1900 research staff were women, and as a paediatrician, much of her interaction with families was with mothers, so the women’s network was “reflective of the institute”.

Prof North said for society to prosper, children must be healthy.

“Children are at the heart of everything we do,” she said.

The Women’s Network members (from left) Dame Quentin Bryce, Suzi Carp, Governor of Victoria Linda Dessau, Professor Jane Munro, Lady Primrose Potter, Professor Kathryn North, Janet Calvert-Jones and Jean Miller. Picture: Tim Carrafa

In officially launching the network, Victoria Governor Linda Dessau said even as a lay person visiting the MCRI, it was obvious to her that research carried out there was world leading.

The women’s network represented “the coming together of a group of talented and ­motivated women who will collaborate and advocate for the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute’s work”.

The MCRI is Australia’s largest child health research institute and is dedicated to preventing and treating childhood conditions.