Menzies School of Health Research Cover Art PO Box 41096 Patrick Tjungurrayi Casuarina NT 0811 Untitled Australia 122 x 91cm, 2008 John Mathews Building (58) Acrylic on linen Royal Darwin Hospital Campus Papunya Tula Artists, Tiwi NT 0810 Alice Springs, NT Australia This painting depicts designs associated with the rockhole site of Wirrilpinya, south-west of Jupiter Well in Western Australia. PHONE 08 8922 8196 This is the artist’s father’s country. In the mythological times FACSIMILE 08 8927 5187 a group of ancestral Tingari men camped at this site before EMAIL [email protected] travelling east to the rockhole site of Naru. The lines running WEBSITE www.menzies.edu.au through the painting are the tracks of the men as they passed between the sandhills, while also representing body paint work by the men during ceremonies. This mythology forms part of the Tingari song cycle. This Annual Report was produced by the Communications Since events associated with the Tingari Cycle are of a secret and Development Unit of the Menzies School of Health nature no further detail was given. Research with input and much welcomed assistance from the staff and students of Menzies. Generally the Tingari are a group of mythical characters of the Dreaming who travelled over vast stretches of the country, performing rituals and creating and shaping particular sites. Published in May 2009. The Tingari men were usually followed by Tingari women and accompanied by novices and their travels and adventures are Copywriting, editing and project management enshrined in a number of song cycles. These mythologies form Julie Carmichael part of the teachings of the post initiatory youths today as well as providing explanations for contemporary customs. Design and layout This artwork is one of 14 sold at the OCHRE Supporting www.sprout.com.au Indigenous Health Through Art Auction in October 2008 which raised over $250 000 for Indigenous child health Printing research at Menzies. Pinnacle Print Group Assistance with artwork Papunya Tula Artists, Alice Springs, NT 2008 discovery for a healthy tomorrow The Menzies School of Health Research was established in 1985 For the purposes of this document, ‘Indigenous’ refers to as a body corporate of the Northern Territory (NT) Government Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. under the Menzies School of Health Research Act 1985. This Act Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples please be advised was amended in 2004 to formalise the relationship with Charles that this publication may contain images of deceased persons. Darwin University (CDU). Menzies is now a school within CDU’s Institute of Advanced Studies. In the spirit of respect, the Menzies School of Health Research acknowledges the people and elders of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nations, who are the Traditional Owners of the land and seas of Australia. 2 Menzies School of Health Research | Annual Report 2008 Contents Who we are and what we do... 4 International Health Division 33 Where and how we work 5 Preventable Chronic Diseases Division 39 Menzies Strategic Plan 6 Services, Systems and Society Division 45 Vision 7 Tropical and Emerging Infectious Diseases Division 51 Values 7 Education and Training Division 57 Goals 7 Corporate Services Division 63 The Year at a Glance 8 Menzies and the Community 71 Financial and Corporate Overview 12 Governance 72 A Message from the Chair 14 Honorary Appointees 75 A Message from the Director 16 Research Funding 76 A Message from the Indigenous Development Unit 18 Publications 84 Child Health Division 21 Professional Activities 92 Healing and Resilience Division 27 Collaborators 96 3 Who we are and what we do... Through scientifi c excellence, education and research the team Working within our Divisions our expertise includes: at Menzies is discovering ways to reduce the impact of disease • Child Health – we are working to combat ear, lung and skin and improve the health and well-being of people living in infections that affect the healthy development of Indigenous Australia and beyond. children and are focusing on the links between health and As the nation’s leader in Indigenous and tropical health education from pre-birth to leaving school. research, our discoveries are being used to better prevent, • Education and Training – we are training the researchers, treat and diagnose disease. Our researchers are also making clinicians and policy makers of the future to help to improve a difference by showing how the social and physical the quality of life of disadvantaged people across our region. environments in which we live and in which health care is delivered can be improved for better health outcomes. • Healing and Resilience – our researchers are helping to prevent, diagnose and treat mental illness and substance The problems associated with poor health and disease don’t misuse in Indigenous people. stop at international borders – that is why Menzies’ researchers work with governments and communities in our region and • International Health – we are world leaders in research into across the globe to offer their expertise and contribute our major health problems in our region including rheumatic heart unique perspective gained from over twenty years of disease, malaria and tuberculosis. ground-breaking research. • Preventable Chronic Disease – we are working to discover the At Menzies we are passionate about using our unique causes of chronic disease including diabetes, heart and kidney knowledge and solutions to discover a healthy tomorrow for all. disease, and fi nd the best ways to diagnose and prevent them. • Services, Systems and Society – our researchers are fi nding out what we are doing right and what can be changed so we can improve the health care system and the social and physical environments in which people live and in which health care is delivered. • Tropical and Emerging Infectious Diseases – the Menzies team are unearthing new health threats so we can improve treatments,treatments, prpreventevent ththee spspreadread ooff didiseasesease anandd hhelpelp develop vaccines.vaccines. 4 Menzies School of Health Research | Annual Report 2008 Where and how we work Menzies Darwin Headquarters With its main base on the Royal Darwin Hospital campus in We work in many Indigenous communities across Australia Darwin, Northern Territory, Menzies employs over 200 staff, a and our work touches the lives of many. Our researchers are signifi cant proportion of whom are Indigenous. We also operate discovering better ways to treat common problems and a smaller unit in Alice Springs and have a joint facility with we are working with local people to help them improve the the Indonesian Department of Health in Timika, Indonesia. health of their communities. At Menzies we have world-class laboratory facilities where we Menzies employs some of the nation’s best researchers and conduct ground-breaking research including analysis of snake we are recognised as a regional leader in education and research. venom, soil samples for melioidosis, scabies mite drug resistance, We are using our unique knowledge and know-how to discover malaria and deadly bacteria. solutions and help disadvantaged people around the world. 5 Menzies Strategic Plan At the core of the Menzies Strategic Plan is Menzies’ commitment The Plan outlines our strong commitment to working hand in to research, education and training, and transfer of research hand with Indigenous communities through the establishment outcomes into policy and practice. of community based ‘Research Hubs’ and the development of Our research activities continue to be focused on Indigenous a Menzies Indigenous Development Unit. health and are housed in six research Divisions – Child Health; Health education and training will continue to be central to Healing and Resilience; International Health; Preventable Chronic everything we do and the Plan outlines our commitment to Diseases; Services, Systems and Society; and Tropical and Emerging not only broadening the range and scope of the courses on Infectious Diseases. offer, but also increasing the numbers of students enrolled The Strategic Plan also addresses the urgent need to improve at all levels, particularly Indigenous students. recruitment, development and retention of Indigenous staff There are many challenges and opportunities over the next and research leaders of the future. few years and the Menzies Strategic Plan is a blueprint to enable the Board and staff of Menzies to achieve our vision and goals for research, education and Indigenous development and capacity building. Organisational Structure Board Director Institute of Advanced Studies, CDU Executive Offi cer Executive Assistant Deputy Director Research Divisions Education & Communication & Indigenous Training Division Development Unit Development Unit Preventable International Chronic Diseases Health Corporate Research Support Support Healing & Tropical & Emerging Resilience Infectious Diseases Child Health Services, Systems and Society 6 Menzies School of Health Research | Annual Report 2008 Vision To improve health outcomes particularly for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and disadvantaged populations through excellence and leadership in research and training. Innovation Values To be willing to take risks, embrace new approaches, and pursue ground-breaking research. Responsiveness Quality Collaboration To be responsive to health needs and shared To be excellent in To work in partnership with priorities, particularly of Indigenous