One thing characterises the Burnet community above all others: a steadfast commitment to fighting the good fight.
That defining sense of resolve, shared by both staff and supporters, was apparent across all the news and breakthroughs featured in the recently released 2023 Annual Report. In her introductory message, Burnet Chair Mary Padbury paid tribute to the hard work being done by the Burnet team against a backdrop of relentless conflicts and compounding natural disasters.
“We have a crucial role to play in supporting the fundamental human right to good health,” she reminded us, “especially in times of crisis and trauma, and especially among the vulnerable and hard to reach.”
The Annual Report was officially launched at the Annual General Meeting on 23 May, with addresses from both the Chair and Burnet Director and CEO Professor Brendan Crabb AC.
In his presentation, Brendan raised concerns about impending global crises and the very real risk they would widen the gap between the secure and affluent and “those with the least” – but he was confident Burnet was equipped for the challenge, thanks in no small part to the loyalty and generosity of supporters.
“Our constituents have really difficult days ahead and our only way out of that is to innovate like crazy, in that way that Burnet does,” he said. “We have to work hard together, for people who are going to be really under the pump in the next decade. And that’s what we’re going to use our amazingly strong position to do – so, thank you to all of our staff and students and supporters.”
The event closed with the announcement of the Gust-McKenzie Medal, awarded to Dr Julie Hennegan, Co-Head of the Working Group on Global Adolescent Health, for her research into the social and environmental determinants of young people’s health. Announcing the prize, Brendan described Julie’s work on menstrual health – long regarded as a taboo subject – as something quintessentially Burnet.
“At Burnet, we run towards taboo issues, whatever they might be, so there is a dual pride in having Julie win this award: an outstanding researcher working in a space that I think defines us.”
Read Burnet's annual report online. To request a physical copy, please contact us at giving@burnet.edu.au or call 03 9282 2221.
