Annual Report 10 Years on … Alzheimer’S Australia Research
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Annual Report 10 years on … Alzheimer’s Australia Research Limited ABN 79 081 407 534 Annual Report 20072008 Contact Details Street Address Frewin Centre Frewin Place Scullin ACT 2614 Mailing Address PO Box 4019 Hawker ACT 2614 Telephone 02 6254 4233 Facsimile 02 6278 7225 Email [email protected] Information about Alzheimer’s Australia Research Ltd. can be found on the Research section of the Alzheimer’s Australia website www.alzheimers.org.au Acknowledgement of support Alzheimer’s Australia Research would like to We also would like to express our gratitude to Front cover photographs provided by thank the many individuals and organizations the following individuals: Natasha Deters (top left and back cover) that support our research programs through Mr Lincoln Archer and (clockwise from top left of bottom donations, gifts and bequests. Mr Michael Bailes corner) Dr Shayne Bellingham, Dr Michael Mr Sam & Mrs GF Bramwell Valenzuela, Dr Jess Nithianantharajah, In particular, Alzheimer’s Australia Research Mr Peter Collett (Jnr) & Ms Louise Canny Professor Megan-Jane Johnstone, Dr Yue would like to extend special thanks to the Mr Peter Collett (Snr) & Mrs Mary Collett Huang, and Patricia Shuter. following entities: Ms Melinda Cruden Other photographs in the report provided Creative Memories Australia Mr David Everitt by: Britta Campion (p.11); Glenn Rees Deacons Mr Mark Freeman (p.12); Dr Michael Valenzuela (p.15); Dr The Cecilia Freshman Estate Ms Hazel Hawke-Flynn Justin Yerbury (p.16); Grant Stuchbury The George Hicks Foundation Ms Libby Higgin (pp.16-17); Dr Jennifer Torr (p.18); Dr Astrid I La Ferlita Ms Angela Keelan Rogoz (pp.18-19); Dr Kate Webster (p.19); Ingres Australia Dr Arun Krishnan Dr Colleen Doyle (p.20); Dr John Gehman The Isabel & John Gilbertson Charitable Trust Mr Enzo Mandich (p.21); Dr Shayne Bellingham (pp.21-22); Dr The Jack & Ethel Goldin Foundation Miss Ann Miller Yue Huang (p.22); Dr Cindy Kersaitis (p.22); The J.O. & J.R. Wicking Trust V Newman Dr Tanya Davison (p.23); Dr Bridget Ryburn Longreach Limited Ms Natasha Norton (p.24); Dr Adrienne Withall (p.24); University The Macquarie Group Foundation Limited Mr Neville & Mrs Denise Odell of Wollongong (p.25); Dr Matthew Hopcraft Pfizer Australia Mr Anthony Peterson (p.25); Professor Megan-Jane Johnstone Reece Co Ms Sue Pieters-Hawke (p.25); Dr Nicolas Cherbuin (pp.26,31-32, Mr Robert Bulley & The Robert C Bulley Mr Tom Power 40); Dr Jess Nithianantharajah (p.27); Lolita Charitable Foundation Dr Wesley & Mrs Elly Rigg Warden (pp.27, 34); Dr Tarja-Brita Robins The Rosemary Foundation for Memory Mrs Hannah Schuhmann Wahlin (p.28); Loretta Quinn (p.29); Associate Support Inc. Ms Pamela Skapin Professor Adrian West (p.30); Dr Giuseppe The Sylvia and Charles Viertel Charitable Ms Nerissa Torcasio Verdile (p.33); Megan Steele (p.34); Natasha Foundation Mr Malcolm Whittingham Deters (p.35); Patricia Shuter (p.36); Kathryn The Union Jack Club Ms Boh Yeng Nicholson (p.37); Dr Fiona Millard (p.37); In addition to those mentioned above, we Emile Werden (p.38); Holly Yeatman (pp.38- Our payroll giving partners and their would also like to show our appreciation to 39); and Pavithra Amadoruge (p.39). the many other people who have donated employees also receive our heartfelt thanks: Finally, Alzheimer’s Australia Research would to AAR, including through the Hazel Hawke The Australian & New Zealand Banking like to thank Dr Anna Conn and Dinusha Fund or the Peter Collett Atlantic Solo Group Limited Fernando for the support they gave the Challenge and for generously supporting Dunn & Bradstreet Board and the Panel, and Suzanne Dixon AAR’s Dementia Research Grants Program. Suzanne Grae and Michele Hawkins for their hard work in Travelex research communication during 2007-08. 4 Annual Report 2008 Alzheimer’s Australia Research Limited Alzheimer’s Australia Research Limited 2008 Annual Report 5 Peter’s seven metre boat “Charmed Life” Fundraising carried all his supplies as he rowed (yes, that’s Contents right, no sails, no engines, just muscle power Champions and sheer determination!) into the lonely ocean Acknowledgement of support 4 swells. On his journey he faced numerous Fundraising Champions 6 Alzheimer’s Australia Research’s 2007/2008 obstacles, including rough seas and storms, financial year has been occupied with some About AAR 8 equipment malfunction, tonsillitis, mouth ulcers, very exciting initiatives and momentous events. About This Annual Report 9 a leaking hatch, risk of collision with freighters, Chairman’s Report 12 Neville Odell an eye infection, blisters and sunburn, a broken Company Secretary’s Report 13 Beginning in 2005, Neville has compiled two oar, a cellulitis infection in his arm, frustration, books entitled ‘Bowl ‘em Over’ and ‘A Tad and possible disqualification from the race if 2007/2008: A Year in Review 14 More Grass’. Both books are collections of the support boat brought antibiotics to combat Past Grants Recipients: Michael Valenzuela 16 humorous bowls stories, poems, cartoons and his cellulitis infection (later over-ruled to Peter’s AAR Research Programs 16 quips. A proportion of the profits for the books great relief!). 2006 Dementia Grants Program 16 were nominated to go to Alzheimer’s Australia However, the cause he was fighting for, a New Investigator Grants 16 Research, and to date Neville, with the help of burning desire to complete the race and Hazel Hawke Research Grants in Dementia Care 18 his wife, Denise, have raised $9,763.00. numerous messages of support Peter Travel Grants 20 ‘Bowl ‘em Over’ and ‘A Tad More Grass’ are received on his satellite phone gave him the 2007 Dementia Grants Program 21 available directly from Alzheimer’s Australia encouragement to keep going. New Investigator Grants 21 regional offices. Finally, on the 16th February 2008, after an Hazel Hawke Research Grants in Dementia Care 25 The Peter Collett Atlantic Solo Challenge amazing 75 days, 23 hours and 46 minutes at Travel Grants 26 An exciting initiative began (after much sea, Peter arrived at Antigua in the West Indies Past Grants Recipients: Loretta Quinn 29 preparation) on the 3rd December 2007 as the winner of the solo category of the race. Joint Research Programs 29 when Peter Collett started the gruelling 2,900 He was enthusiastically welcomed ashore by Research into a Cure for Alzheimer’s Disease Grant Program 29 nautical mile WoodVale Atlantic Rowing Race his wife, Louise, and his parents, Peter Snr & AAR & CMHR Joint Postdoctoral Fellowship 30 in order to raise funds for Alzheimer’s Australia Mary. In completing the race, Peter was the Partnership with the National Health & Medical Research Council 31 Research. Peter’s grandmother suffered from first Australian citizen to row across the Atlantic Alzheimer’s disease and her struggle with the Ocean alone and unassisted. He also raised Past Grants Recipients: Giuseppe Verdile 32 disease and the impact it had on her family and $63587.90 towards dementia research. Scholarships 33 friends inspired Peter to complete his odyssey Hunter Postgraduate Research Scholarships into Alzheimer’s Australia would sincerely like to in her memory. Peter chose to raise funds thank Peter for his extraordinary and inspiring the Causes of Alzheimer’s Disease 33 for Alzheimer’s Australia Research because effort, as well as the work he continues to do Joint AAR/CRC and AAR Entirely Postgraduate Research he would like to help prevent the pain and for Alzheimer’s Australia in raising awareness of Scholarships in Social Research and Dementia 34 suffering his family went through for others. Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Our thanks The Sylvia and Charles Viertel Postgraduate Research The race began without Peter, who was having are also extended to those who sponsored Scholarships in Dementia 36 stitches at the local hospital for a cut sustained Peter’s row. The George Hicks Postgraduate Scholarship for to his cheek whilst preparing his boat, at La In addition, special thanks go to all the Dementia Prevention and Risk Reduction Research Gomera, Canary Islands. Despite missing the individuals in Australia, Canada, France, Ireland, start of the race, Peter pressed on, and was (for Victorian researchers) 37 Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, the United escorted out of the harbour at La Gomera by a Past Grants Recipients: Nicolas Cherbuin 38 Kingdom and the United States of America friendly pod of dolphins. 2008 Dementia Grants Program 40 who donated to Peter’s amazing challenge. Financial Report 41 6 Annual Report 2008 Alzheimer’s Australia Research Limited Alzheimer’s Australia Research Limited 2008 Annual Report 7 Research Grants Distributing Research Information About AAR AAR actively encourages dementia-related AAR works to increase the information Alzheimer’s research in Australia by providing annual available to consumers in order to further grants and scholarships in many areas of awareness of the importance of research Australia Research Alzheimer’s Australia Research (AAR) is the dementia research, including biomedical and the quality of Australian dementia research arm of Alzheimer’s Australia, Board of Directors research and dementia care. Some AAR research, through initiatives such as the established as a separate not-for-profit grants are allocated to specific research weekly Dementia News electronic newsletter company to encourage and support Australian Professor Henry Brodaty AO, Chairman areas according to donor’s requests, such and the Research section of the Alzheimer’s dementia research. Professor Henry Brodaty is Professor of as the pledge of the Jack & Ethel Goldin Australia website. Providing the public with a Age Care Mental Health and Director of the Why is Research Important? Foundation to help develop a cure for reliable source of information about dementia Primary Dementia Collaborative Research Research has real potential to lessen the Alzheimer’s disease. research and promoting responsible reporting Centre at the University of New South Wales.