2020 Annual Report
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ANNUAL REPORT are at the of everything we do COVER IMAGE: Tahlea’s beautiful big smile lights up a room. Read Tahlea’s story at telethonkids30.org.au Contents 30 18 OUR FINANCIALS PHILANTHROPIC 4 SPECTRUM MESSAGE FROM 16 28 DIRECTOR 10 OUR IMPACT WHO WE ARE AND REPORT WHAT WE DO 8 2020 HIGHLIGHTS BOARD OF DIRECTORS Telethon Kids Institute acknowledges At the Telethon Kids Institute, our vision is simple – In 2020, we celebrated 30 years of making a difference. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander happy healthy kids. people as the Traditional Custodians We did this through photos and stories of some of the kids whose lives of the land and waters of Australia. We We bring together community, researchers, we’ve changed through the research we do. also acknowledge the Nyoongar Wadjuk, practitioners, policymakers and funders, who share Their stories and images capture a small snapshot of the abundance of Yawuru, Kariyarra and Kaurna Elders, our mission to improve the health, development work we’re doing, and remain committed to pursuing at Telethon Kids, their people and their land upon which and lives of children and young people through and the impact we have had on the world around us. the Institute is located and seek their excellence in research. wisdom in our work to improve the health Importantly, we want knowledge applied so it Visit telethonkids30.org.au to read the stories and get to know these Find out more at and development of all children. makes a difference. amazing kids. They’ll change your life like they’ve changed ours. telethonkids.org.au 2 | TELETHON KIDS INSTITUTE ANNUAL REPORT 2020 | 3 Turning 30 years old is a milestone OUR RESEARCH worthy of celebration. However, our Despite the constant challenges, 2020 proved to be one of plans to mark the Institute’s anniversary, our strongest. like those of so many others, were Institute researchers were awarded $44,366,113 in grant disrupted by the global COVID-19 money, a 27 per cent increase on the 2019 total. pandemic which became the pervasive This remarkable result was achieved as our staff and students tested their agility and resilience, quickly adapting theme of the year 2020, and continues to working from home where possible, juggling access today. issues and timeframes on research trials, and pivoting to apply their skillsets to the rapid initiation of COVID-related Amid the tragedy and uncertainty, the studies such as BRACE, CONCORD and DETECT. pandemic provided powerful proof of Many of the year’s research highlights and major grants are the importance of health and medical featured on page 10. research. It showed that science can be We unveiled the next phase of our Commitment fast-tracked at a previously unimaginable to Aboriginal Children and Families, outlining a comprehensive approach to building our relationships with rate when there is global collaboration community and our accountability. We invested further in and ample resources. our Kulunga Aboriginal Unit, which will lead our Aboriginal Employment and Career Development Strategy and the For us, privileged by the protection made possible by our implementation of new Standards for Aboriginal Research. isolation, there was also opportunity. It means upskilling the whole organisation, continuing to Without an overwhelming local burden of disease, we embed Aboriginal health into every research area, and that were able to focus our efforts on better understanding we continue to listen to and be guided by Aboriginal voices COVID-19 – how to protect, limit transmission, improve in all that we do. testing, and reduce the impact on other aspects of health We launched Telethon Kids CONNECT, our new program and wellbeing. that honours the many ways our community supports us, There was also added responsibility. We have been and provides new opportunities for genuine involvement a strong and trusted voice in the community, and to and engagement. PROFESSOR JONATHAN CARAPETIS AM governments, as we navigated through uncertain We also officially launched the Wal-yan Respiratory territory. Research Centre, a powerhouse partnership between We learned that being local does matter, and when Telethon Kids Institute, Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation travel is halted, a skilled and experienced workforce and and Perth Children’s Hospital that builds on 30 years of cutting edge technology is vital. experience where WA’s respiratory researchers have been recognised as amongst the world’s best. 4 Our 30 years of experience and strong connection to our community gave us the solid foundation not only On the commercialisation front, we executed licence MESSAGE to survive, but to emerge from the year even better agreements for the PRAGMA-CF Patents and Data with positioned to tackle whatever might be ahead. Resonance Health and Thirona, and saw the successful FROM THE spinout of the impact-tracking software developed at the By year’s end, we were ready to celebrate our Institute into the company Grow Impact Pty Ltd. CHAIR & anniversary. It was small in scale but featured those who matter most — the kids whose lives we have changed We farewelled founding scientists Professors Steve Zubrick through the research we undertake. and Carol Bower, who leave us with the enormous legacy HON JULIE BISHOP DIRECTOR of their research achievements, but also exemplary models We were able to showcase the impact of our research of how to work with governments and community to ensure on the world around us through a stunning exhibition research is useful and used. of images and stories. The exhibition is available online and provides a compelling demonstration of the value of We welcomed new teams in Food and Nutrition (Dr Gina research, not only in these COVID times, but before and Trapp), Early Neurodevelopment and Mental Health beyond. (Dr Amy Finlay-Jones), Kids Rehab Research (Dr Jane Valentine), Leukaemia Translational Research (Dr Rishi Kotecha), Translational Genomics in Leukaemia (Dr Sebastien Malinge) and Translational Genetics (Dr Vanessa Fear). 4 | TELETHON KIDS INSTITUTE ANNUAL REPORT 2020 | 5 Mikayla is a passionate animal FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY and families. The Philanthropy report on page 18 lover and a talented drummer. acknowledges those valued supporters who join with us Read Mikayla’s story at Despite uncertainty and unprecedented disruption to make a difference. telethonkids30.org.au during 2020, Telethon Kids finished the financial year with an operating surplus of $5.84 million, and an Our Board of Directors volunteer their time and talents unqualified audit. Given the potential impact of the to ensure strategic oversight and good governance. We global pandemic on the Institute’s research continuity, appreciate all that they contribute and the value they this outcome represents a remarkable result. add to our organisation. This year we farewell and thank two long-serving, high-contributing Directors. Like many not-for-profit organisations, including most medical research institutes, the Institute qualified to Jeff Dowling has given 12 years of service to Telethon participate in the Australian Government’s JobKeeper Kids, having joined the Board in 2009. His financial Subsidy Scheme. These wage subsidies enabled us to expertise as former Managing Partner of Ernst and retain all staff despite disruptions to research activities Young Western Region made him a highly credentialed due to lockdowns and travel restrictions. Chair of the Finance Committee for many years. Among his many contributions to Telethon Kids was his hands- The Institute also implemented a range of fiscal controls on role in securing the agreements for our wonderful to limit operational expenditure, including a freeze on facility at the Perth Children’s Hospital and the growth of employee salary increases and containing expenditure our Endowment Fund. growth. By year’s end we had managed to sustain a positive financial position. Michael McAnearney is retiring from the Board after nine years, during which he too has been a very As at 31 December 2020, there was a 13.7 per cent active Director, serving on the Risk and Compliance, increase in total assets held on the Institute’s Balance Remuneration and Nomination and Development Sheet to $198.3 million, primarily due to committed Committees over that period. As Director and CEO research funding and investment income. Total equity of Gerard Daniels Australia, one of his great legacies held on the Balance Sheet also increased in value is in leading the recruitment of Professor Jonathan by 20 per cent to $85.1 million. Strengthening our Carapetis, along with his insights into organisational Balance Sheet contributes to the long term strategy of culture, and the relationships he has helped to build as increasing the Institute’s financial sustainability, both to part of our Development program. buffer against the fluctuations and vagaries of Australia’s research funding environment, and enable increased We are delighted to welcome former West Australian investment in research excellence and innovation. Treasurer, Hon Ben Wyatt, to the Board, who brings great financial acumen and political insight. Ben has a Greater financial viability will be particularly important deep commitment to reducing disparities and improving as we navigate the post-COVID economic environment, health and development outcomes for Aboriginal which for medical research in Australia remains largely children, and empowering communities to lead that uncertain. agenda. We sincerely thank Deloitte, as the Institute’s Honorary We are very proud of the way our staff and students Auditor, for the excellent work done on this year’s audit. rose to meet the unprecedented challenges of 2020. They proved themselves to be resilient and adaptable while retaining their passion for making a difference. OUR THANKS To all of them, and to all who support our work, we say a Our Principal Partner, Telethon, has once again proved very heartfelt thank you. its deep connection with the WA community with another outstanding fundraising result, in the toughest Our strength in our research, our people, and our of years.