2024 in review
As the year draws to a close, we’re taking a brief moment to look back on the last 12 months at the Foundation during a year of change, growth and progress on exciting developments.
2024 Australian of the Year, Professor Richard Scolyer AO, at our Dare Shott Lecture.
Notable highlights from 2024 include:
New Chief Executive Officer
We welcomed Vanessa Cahoon as CEO in March, coinciding with International Women’s Day. Outgoing CEO, Peter Milne, served the Foundation for 15 years. We wish Peter a wonderful retirement and thank him for his vocational service to the Foundation and across the community.
Launched the Let’s Talk Health Series
In light of this year’s Senate Inquiry into Perimenopause and Menopause in the Workplace, we hosted a Women’s Health Brunch at Country Club Tasmania to bring the community together on the issue. We united the public voice with a solutions-focused format featuring Menopause at Work advocate and guest speaker, Thea O’Connor, The Bubble Launceston owner and General Practitioner, Natasha Vavrek, and Senator Wendy Askew.
Research Showcase
Funding for eight exciting new research projects, with grants totalling $215,000. They include novel approaches to breast cancer treatments, respiratory infections, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, orthopaedics and palliative care.
Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia visit
Her Excellency the Honourable Ms Sam Mostyn AC, visited the Foundation in August to meet with our team and commended the regional community-funded model supporting localised medical research and health promotion initiatives.
Prime Minister Albanese visit
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited the Launceston General Hospital in September to sign a funding agreement alongside Premier Jeremy Rockliff to support the development of the Northern Heart Centre to be completed within five years.
2024 Australian of the Year, Professor Richard Scolyer AO guest lecture
Prof. Richard Scolyer AO was our Dare Shott Medical Lecture guest presenter, attracting the largest attendance in the history of the event. Professor Scolyer shared his research insights from the Melanoma Institute of Australia and also touching on his world-leading experimental trial of his glioblastoma brain cancer.
Clifford Craig Research Centre building works
Commencement of work began in October by SHAPE construction firm for the fit-out of our new premises, the Clifford Craig Research Centre, at the Northern Integrated Care Services building next to the LGH. Works are on schedule to be completed by May with the team relocating in July.
Partnership with Real Estate Institute of Tasmania (REIT)
REIT donated $30,000 to the Foundation earlier this year, in addition to event sponsorship support of our new Women’s Health Brunch hosted in September.
Fundraised and received specific pledge donations
As official charity for the Launceston General Hospital, we fundraised and received specific donations from the community for a number of hospital equipment purchases this year. These initiatives included our mid-year appeal and our recent Christmas Appeal. Impressively, Richardson’s Harley-Davidson Birthday Fundraiser made a $50,000 donation to the LGH’s Women’s and Children’s Services Ward, going directly towards purchasing two new ultrasound machines.
The new year ahead already promises continued health advocacy, new medical research grant announcements and a much-anticipated move to the Clifford Craig Research Centre in July. We thank all of our loyal donors, volunteers and new supporters of the Foundation in the business community across Northern Tasmania.
