Thanks a bunch, Dame Elisabeth (The Age; 15/02/08)
Dame Elisabeth celebrated her 99th birthday last week and is still a strong supporter of the RCH, the Good Friday Appeal and the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute.

Parents fear bed shortage at new RCH (Herald Sun; 12/02/08)
THE father of a boy requiring treatment at the the Royal Children's Hospital believes the new building won't have the space to meet growing demand - while the size of a shopping mall on the site has doubled. Mr Smith said that although the Children's Cancer Centre was already stretched, he believed it would get no more beds.

Print

Garden opens for dame's 99th (The Mornington-Southern Peninsula; 06/02/08)
Dame Elisabeth is patron of the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute and a life governor of the Royal Women's Hospital.

Garden to open for dame's 99th (Hastings Independent; 05/02/08)
Dame Elisabeth is patron of the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute and a life governor of the Royal Women's Hospital.

Sugary soft drinks increase risk of developing gout, says study (Weekend Australian; 09/02/08)
PARENTING lessons do not improve toddler behaviour, according to a new Australian study in the British Medical Journal. Led by
doctor Harriet Hiscock from the Centre for Community Child Health at the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne...

Community noticeboard (Independent; 06/02/08)
Grandparents and other seniors are being sought to take part in a pilot scheme to read to young children. The Centre for Community Child Health in partnership with The Smith Family will run a pilot scheme under a project funded with $2.1 million from the state government.

The pleasure and the satisfaction of giving (Portland Observer; 06/02/08)
GEOFF Handbury was faced with a problem few people will admit to - he had too much money. One subject close to his heart is the Centre For Adolescent Health, which is part of the Royal Children's Hospital. 'It's about getting terribly difficult kids through their
adolescence. It's quite a challenge. It doesn't get  much publicity but there are lots of kids growing tip in dysfunctional families. I love anything to do with youth.'

Win, win (Namoi Valley Independent; 05/02/08)
Dame Elisabeth Murdoch AC OBE supports 110 charitable organisations annually and is a life governor of the Royal Women's Hospital. She was a founding member of the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute.

Radio

ABC North & West SA (Port Pirie) 12:30 News - 07/02/2008 - 12:31 PM
The relationship between child birth and health problems in Aboriginal children will be studied as part of a research program on the Eyre Peninsula. The joint study is being lead by the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute in Vic...

3AW (Melbourne) Nightline - 07/02/2008 - 10:10 PM
Caller Barbara says Dame Elisabeth Murdoch has everything and suggests she would not even take flowers, because she has an open garden to benefit charity.Brady notes Murdoch has been part of the Royal Children's Hospital Good Friday Appeal since 1933.

Radio

Joy 94.9FM (Thursday April 24)
Dr Craig Smith (Early Development & Disease) participated in a forum on community radio station, JOY 94.9FM, discussing the topic : “Homosexuality: Nature or Nuture?”

Print

Haemochromatosis more risky for men (Australian Doctor; 01/02/08)
...Associate Professor Katie Allen, from the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, said high-risk patients could avoid complications by donating blood regularly

Three parents produce one embryo (Sydney Morning Herald; 06/02/08)
HUMAN embryos with three parents have been created by British scientists. ...David Thorburn, of Murdoch Childrens Research Institute in Melbourne, said it was difficult to comment on the British experiments because they were not yet published in a scientific journal.

Get physical (Hills News; 05/02/08)
The Raising Children Network suggests that the key to keeping children active is to help them find an activity that they enjoy. This can be anything from dance through to team sports.

Heavenly garden a feast for the eyes (Cranbourne Journal; 04/02/08)
TO celebrate her 99th birthday, Dame Elisabeth Murdoch is hosting a summer opening of her well-known garden at Cruden Farm, Langwarrin.Dame Elisabeth is patron of the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute and a life governor of the Royal Women's Hospital.

our town (B Magazine; 22/01/08)
...Funding of $2.1million has been granted to the Centre for Community Child Health in partnership with The Smith Family to operate the four-year pilot program.

Print

MRI predicts development delay (The Australian; 02/02/08)
ANDREA Krieger's son Angus faced tough odds when he was was born 15 weeks early five years ago. Sophisticated medical interventions over the past two decades have dramatically increased survival rates for very premature babies ...Doctor Peter Anderson, a psychologist and senior research fellow at the University of Melbourne and Murdoch Childrens Research Institute (MCRI), says the long-term study will follow 230 children recruited as premature babies from 2001-2003...

Parents stand alone in battle to beat terrible twos (West Australian; 02/02/08)
Offering parents a universal course which taught not to shout at toddlers and reward good behaviour instead did little to curb tantrums or bad behaviour by age two, an Australian study has found. Researchers from the Royal Children's Hospital Centre for Community Child Health in Melbourne found the course designed for all parents and run by child health nurses did not prevent had behaviour.

Parent training doesn't work (Courier Mail; 01/02/08)
PARENT training programs don't reduce behavioural problems in toddlers, an Australian study shows, suggesting they may be a waste of money. The scientists, led by Harriet Hiscock at the Centre for Community Child Health in Parkville, Australia, compared behaviour of the test group over an 18-month period with another set of mothers and kids who did not receive any special counselling.

Philanthropists are stamped as Australia's 2008 legends (Mildura Midweek; 29/01/08)
This year, Dame Elisabeth Murdoch, who is Patron of the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute and a lite governor of the Royal Women's Hospital, has been recognised for her extraordinary support across many sectors.

Philately honours for philanthropy (Stonnington Leader; 29/01/08)
Dame Elisabeth (Murdoch), who turns 99 in February, is patron of the Murdoch Childrens Research (Institute) and a life governor of the Royal Women's Hospital.

Men's health at risk from iron overload (Myrtleford Times; 23/01/08)
A COMMON hereditary disorder affecting 100,000 Australians is 30 times more likely to cause serious complications in men than women, according to new research from the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, The University of Melbourne and The Cancer Council Victoria. ...'Arthritis, chronic fatigue and liver disease can arise as a result of iron overload,' said Associate Professor Katie Allen from the Murdoch Childrens who led the research.

Men's health at risk from iron overload (Ovens and Murray Advertiser; 23/01/08)
A COMMON hereditary disorder affecting 100,000 Australians is 30 times more likely to cause serious complications in men than women, according to new research from the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, The University of Melbourne and The Cancer Council Victoria.'Arthritis, chronic fatigue and liver disease can arise as a result of iron overload,' said Associate Professor Katie Allen from the Murdoch Childrens who led the research.

Men's health at risk from iron overload (Bright Observer; 23/01/08)
A COMMON hereditary disorder affecting 100,000 Australians is 30 times more likely to cause serious complications in men than women, according to new research from the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, The University of Melbourne and The Cancer Council Victoria. ...'Arthritis, chronic fatigue and liver disease can arise as a result of iron overload,' said Associate Professor Katie Allen from the Murdoch Childrens who led the research.

Men's health at risk from iron overload (Wangaratta Chronicle; 23/01/08)
A COMMON hereditary disorder affecting 100,000 Australians is 30 times more likely to cause serious complications in men than women, according to new research from the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, The University of Melbourne and The Cancer Council Victoria.'Arthritis, chronic fatigue and liver disease can arise as a result of iron overload,' said Associate Professor Katie Allen from the Murdoch Childrens who led the research.

Above and beyond DNA (Australian Life Scientist; 01/02/08)
After becoming an epigenetics convert four years ago at Lorne and winning the Eppendorf Young Investigator's Award there two years ago, Dr Jeff Craig returns to Lorne in 2008 as an invited speaker to present the fruits of his conversion.In 2006, Jeff Craig set up an epigenetics laboratory at the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute in Melbourne, in partnership with Dr Richard Saffery.

Internet

Parenting lessons don't stop toddler tantrums: study (Yahoo7 News; 01/02/08)
PARIS (AFP) - A new study shows that parent training programmes fail to reduce behavioural problems in toddlers, suggesting that coaching on how to rear children may be a waste of time and money. ...The scientists, led by Harriet Hiscock at the Centre for Community Child Health in Parkville, Australia, compared behaviour of the test group over an 18 month period with another set of mothers and kids who did not receive any special counselling.

Television

Channel 7 (Melbourne) (Seven News - 01/02/2008 - 06:23 PM)
Sport Report : Running - Ange Christou (*) and Glenn Archer and Melbourne Storm members of the have taken part in The Tan Run for the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute.

Print

Dame Elisabeth Murdoch's generosity stamped in history (Herald Sun; 23/01/08)
DAME Elisabeth Murdoch's lifetime of giving will be honoured today ... She is patron of the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute and is heavily involved in supporting the arts.

24,000 men hold key to iron disorder (The Australian; 26/01/08)
Associate Professor (Katie) Allen, a paediatric gastroenterologist at the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute in Melbourne, says fatigue, arthritis and sometimes abdominal pain are among the first symptoms of haemochromatosis.

Pratt stamps out offer to be a legend (Canberra Times; 23/01/08)
...Dame Elisabeth is patron of the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, life governor of the Royal Women's Hospital and supporter of 110 charitable organisations.

Gene defect a risk for men (Courier Mail; 23/01/08)
GastroenteroIogist Katie Allen, of Melbourne's Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, said scientists believed women were less susceptible because of menstruation and childbirth.

Youth suicide (Robinvale Sentinel; 17/01/08)
....Surveys conducted at the Centre for Adolescent Health indicate that 5% of young people; mainly female, engage in selfharming behaviours

Seniors share magic of reading (Queensland Times; 24/01/08)
...The funding has been granted to the Centre for Community Child Health in partnership with The Smith Family for the pilot.

Help grow a love to read (Gatton Lockyer Brisbane Valley Star; 23/01/08)
Funding to the tune of $2.1 million has been granted to the Centre for Community Child Health in partnership with The Smith Family for the pilot.

Pregnant women with fetal abnormalities: the forgotten people in the abortion debate (Medical Journal of Australia; 21/1/2008)
...Most women will request abortion after the diagnosis of a major fetal abnormality - 95% do so after the diagnosis of Down syndrome in Victoria (J Halliday, Head, Public Health Genetics, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Melbourne, personal communication).

Guidelines for the use of infant formulas to treat cows milk protein allergy (Medical Journal of Australia; 21/01/08)
Various infant formulas-such as soy, extensively hydrolysed and amino acid-based formula - that can be used to treat cows milk protein allergy are available in Australia. Author details: David J Hill,* FRACP, Senior Allergist; Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, VIC.

Major new children's hospital for Melbourne (Engineers Australia; January 2008)
...It will also build expanded research facilities for Murdoch Childrens Research Institute and the University of Melbourne at their cost.

The garden of a lifetime (West Australian; 25/01/08)
...there are two opportunities to visit Cruden Farm. The garden will be open as part of the Australian Open Garden Scheme on Sunday, February 17. The following Sunday will be a special family picnic day for the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute.
If you can't get there in person, travel there through the pages of the book, Garden of a Lifetime: Dame Elisabeth Murdoch at Cruden Farm, by Anne Latreille, Pan Macmillan...

Community Noticeboard: readers needed (Independent; 23/01/08)
The Centre for Community Child Health in partnership with The Smith Family will run a pilot scheme under a project funded with $2.1 million from the state government.

Research grants inspire love of literature (Cairns Post; 28/01/08)
...The money has been granted to the Centre for Community Child Health in partnership with The Smith Family...

It needn't be all bad news for the funds (Sun Herald; 27/01/08)
CASE STUDY more concerned about a deposit
AT 24 Anna Benton can afford to let her super wait. Besides, the research assistant at the Centre for Adolescent Health, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Melbourne, has a HECS debt to pay off.

It needn't be all bad news for the funds (Sunday Age; 27/01/08)
CASE STUDY more concerned about a deposit
AT 24 Anna Benton can afford to let her super wait. Besides, the research assistant at the Centre for Adolescent Health, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Melbourne, has a HECS debt to pay off.

Men's health at risk from iron overload (Mansfield Courier; 22/01/08)
A COMMON hereditary disorder affecting 100,000 Australians is 30 times more likely to cause serious complications in men than women, according to new research from the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, The University of Melbourne and The Cancer Council Victoria. "Arthritis, chronic fatigue and liver disease can arise as a result of iron overload," said Associate Professor Katie Allen from the Murdoch Childrens who led the research.

Radio

1071 AM (Kingaroy) Midday Show - 25/01/2008 - 11:22 AM
Noel Leahy from Australia Post discusses the annual release of the Legends stamp collection as a feature for Australia Day. Five philanthropists will feature on this years postage stamps including Dame Elisabeth Murdoch (involved in 110 charities at age 99)...

Print

Seniors, kids bond with books (Sunshine Coast Daily; 22/01/08)
The state government will give $2.1 million to the Centre for Community Child Health which, in conjuction with The Smith Family,  will coordinate a statewide Reading to Children Program.

Salute to Strathbogie Shire's top citizens (Euro Gazette; 15/01/08)
Violet Town - Tony Beddison AO:He is also the Chairman of the Royal Children's Hospital, Chairman of the Melbourne 2007 World
Swimming Championships Corporation, a Director of the Murdoch Children's Research Institute...

Learning by the book (The Daily; 22/01/08)
The state government has announced a $2.1 million grant to the Centre for Community Child Health, which, in conjunction with The Smith Family, will co-ordinate a state-wide Reading to Children program.

Television

Rony Duncan appears in 'Up Close'
Interview can be viewed on website or http://upclose.unimelb.edu.au/episode/116. rony was was interviewed a few weeks ago about genetic testing in children for this Melbourne University Up Close Series.

Channel 9 (National Australia) National Nine News at 16:30 - 21/01/2008 - 04:37 PM
One of Australia's leading obstetricians is calling for health authorities to make it easier for Aust doctors to abort late term pregnancies. Lachlan de Crespigny labels laws as discriminatory stating there are many factors contributing to whether a woman can undergo an abortion at 20 weeks. de Crespigny refers to cases where the woman may want the pregnancy but finds out there is a severe abnormality. de Crespigny argues for uniform abortion laws in Aust. de Crespigny comments women should have the right to choose.
Interviewees: Lachlan de Crespigny, Obstitrician, Murdoch Children's Research Institute

Print

Ailment hits men harder (Border Mail; 18/01/08)
The disease caused damage to the liver and other organs, with arthritis, chronic fatigue and liver disease commonly arising
as a result, said study leader Professor Katie Allen, of the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute in Melbourne.

Program instils love of reading (Midweek (Mackay & Sarina); 16/01/08)
The $2.1m funding has been granted to the Centre for Community Child Health in partnership with The Smith Family for the pilot
program.

Men hardest hit by iron disorder (The Australian; 17/01/08)
Melbourne researchers set out to find patterns and discovered 28 per cent of men who were at genetic risk of haemochromatosis actually developed it. For women, this was just one per cent. “We can now more accurately assess the cost effectiveness of population-based genetic screening programs for haemochromatosis,” said study leader Professor Katie Allen, of the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute in Melbourne.

Men hardest hit by iron disorder (The West Australian; 17/01/08)
Melbourne researchers set out to find patterns and discovered 28 per cent of men who were at genetic risk of haemochromatosis actually developed it. For women, this was just one per cent. “We can now more accurately assess the cost effectiveness of population-based genetic screening programs for haemochromatosis,” said study leader Professor Katie Allen, of the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute in Melbourne.

High on the agenda (Herald Sun; 19/01/08)
DRUGS are a minefield for Gen X parents, many of whom have indulged in the occasional illicit substance.
Mentions: Raising Children Network

Program bridges generation gap (Northern Times Caboolture; 18/01/08)
The Centre for Community Child Health in conjunction with The Smith Family will receive $1.85 million to operate the program over four years.

Settling Babies (Medical Observer; 18/01/08)
The author of the AFP article, Dr Harriet Hiscock, a paediatrician and senior research fellow at the Centre for Community Child Health in Melbourne, says informing a parent of what's `normal' certainly helps.

Radio

3AW (Melbourne) Mornings - 18/01/2008 - 10:07 AM
Margaret Smith, CEO, Children First Foundation, joins them and is very happy to hear of the donation. Handbury mentions he is closely involved in the Centre for Adolescent Health at the Royal Children's Hospital.

Mums-to-be advised to develop taste for Italian (The Age; 16/01/08)
PREGNANT women may gain from doing as the Romans do — not just when in Rome but also in their dining rooms.
Associate Professor Katie Allen, a gastroenterologist and allergist at the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute in Melbourne, also said more work was needed on the potential link.

Acquire a taste for Italian, researchers advise mothers-to-be (The Sydney Morning Herald; 16/01/08)
PREGNANT women may gain from doing as the Romans do - not just when in Rome but every day in their dining rooms.
Associate Professor Katie Allen, a gastroenterologist and allergist at the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute in Melbourne, said more work was needed on the potential link.
 

Print

Too young to drink (Daily Examiner; 12/01/08)
The study on the influences of early adolescent alcohol use, a combined effort from Deakin University, the University of Melbourne, the University of New South Wales and the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, found that parents underestimate the influence they have on their teenager's drinking... Professor of Psychology at Deakin University, John Tambourou, said the findings were a
wake-up call to parents...

Wanted: Grandparents with love of reading and children (Sunday Mail Brisbane; 13/01/08)
The Centre for Community Child Health in conjunction with The Smith Family will receive $1.85 million to operate the program over
four years.

It's money in the bank (Wollondilly Advertiser; 01/01/08)
An online survey by the Raising Children Network of 300 parents revealed children under five receive less than $2 while parents give children aged five and six years between $2 and $5.

It's money in the bank (Camden Advertiser; 02/01/08)
An online survey by the Raising Children Network of 300 parents revealed children under five receive less than $2 while parents give children aged five and six years between $2 and $5.

It's money in the bank (Blacktown Sun; 8/01/08)
An online survey by the Raising Children Network of 300 parents revealed children under five receive less than $2 while parents give children aged five and six years between $2 and $5.

Scientists identify gene link to autism (The Australian; 11/01/08)
AFTER studying thousands of children with autism and their families, scientists have zeroed in on two genetic abnormalities that drastically increase the risk of the disorder. Melbourne-based geneticist Martin Delatycki, with the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, said: 'It's coming along in leaps and bounds. These are really important findings.'

Radio

ABC 702 Sydney (Sydney) Mornings - 11/01/2008 - 09:52 AM
Macdonald says new info on the origins of autism is coming out today. She says there are claims it occurs more frequently in older parents. She talks to Martin Delatycki, Geneticist, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute about the issue. They talk about the genetic origins of autism. He says there is evidence autism, is on the increase the causes of which are not well understood.

Print

Call for parents to ban alcohol (The Sydney Morning Herald; 20/12/07)
...But Professor Toumbourou warned the high use of alcohol among teenagers meant such programs may need to be run in primary schools. The research was a collaboration between Deakin University, the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Melbourne University and the University of NSW.

Early boy Angus Beaton catching up fast (Herald Sun; 26/12/07)
ANGUS Beaton's hectic start to life may have slowed his development, but a ground-breaking study is helping him catch up.
...The Victorian Infant Brain Study at Murdoch Childrens Research Institute showed Angus had suffered moderate damage to areas of his brain, giving the family an early start in seeking help to overcome developmental delays before they became apparent.

The new children's hospital will do less for patients, not more (The Age; 27/12/07)
THE Children's Cancer Centre at the Royal Children's Hospital has built a formidable reputation equal to that of any pediatric oncology unit in the world.

The body trap (Sunday Age; 30/12/07)
Professor Susan Sawyer, a pediatrician who directs the centre for adolescent health at the Royal Children's Hospital, says children as young as seven are anxious about the way they look and how much they weigh.

Drinking under-age (Daily Examiner; 02/01/08)
PARENTS who let their children have even a sip of champagne could be setting them up for under- age drinking, new Australian
research has found....The research was a collaboration between Deakin University, the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Melbourne University and the University of NSW.

Child's play (Sunday Herald Sun; 23/12/07)
...Warren Cann, executive director of Parenting Research Centre and content director for the Raising Children Network, is not
surprised parents are confused about what is suitable for children.

It's money in the bank (Fairfield City champion; 02/01/08)
...An online survey by the Raising Children Network of 300 parents revealed children under five receive less than $2 while parents
give children aged five and six years between $2 and $5.

Radio

ABC 774 Melbourne (Melbourne) Mornings - 04/01/2008 - 09:07 AM
Moclair introduces Prof Frank Oberklaid, Director of the Centre for Community Child Health , Royal Melbourne Hospital. Oberklaid discusses a UK proposal calling for tax breaks to parents who do not send their children to child care. Oberklaid notes that the call is based on research that finds child care to be harmful to children. Oberklaid says such a finding is controversial and not readily accepted by most experts. Oberklaid says it is necessary to be very careful in regard to the findings of such research and emphasises the importance of providing a good child care environment wherever it happens to be. [cont]
Interviewees: Prof Frank Oberklaid, Director of the Centre for Community Child, Royal Melbourne Hospital

ABC 774 Melbourne (Melbourne) Mornings - 04/01/2008 - 09:11 AM
Oberklaid talks about the debate that needs to take place about the overall structure of caring for children, rather than whether child care is good or bad which he says is a simplistic question.
Interviewees: Prof Frank Oberklaid, Director of the Centre for Community Child Health, Royal Melbourne Hospital

ABC 774 Melbourne (Melbourne) Mornings - 04/01/2008 - 09:14 AM
Oberklaid says it is important to understand the benefits that child care can infer and notes that he recommends child care for the socialisation of children.
Interviewees: Prof Frank Oberklaid, Director of the Centre for Community Child Health, Royal Melbourne Hospital

ABC 774 Melbourne (Melbourne) Mornings - 04/01/2008 - 09:16 AM
Oberklaid compares schooling to child care and says whatever environment a child finds itself in needs to be heavily invested in. [cont]
Interviewees: Prof Frank Oberklaid, Director of the Centre for Community Child Health, Royal Melbourne Hospital

ABC 774 Melbourne (Melbourne) Mornings - 04/01/2008 - 09:19 AM
Oberklaid says in an ideal world, children aged under 18 months should probably be with their mother but notes that the scenario is not always possible. Oberklaid says it it therefore important for people to have good child care choices. Oberklaid says the guilt of parents can be relieved by ensuring that child care facilities have highly trained staff.
Interviewees: Prof Frank Oberklaid, Director of the Centre for Community Child Health, Royal Melbourne Hospital

Web

Fed: New warning for parents to ban alcohol at home (AAP Newswire; 21/12/07)
But Professor Toumbourou warned the high use of alcohol among teenagers meant such programs may need to be run in primary schools. The research was a collaboration between Deakin University, the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Melbourne University and the University of NSW.

Early tipple raises risks: study (Maitland Mercury; 21/12/07)
But Professor Toumbourou warned the high use of alcohol among teenagers meant such programs may need to be run in primary schools. The research was a collaboration between Deakin University, the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Melbourne University and the University of NSW.

6PR (Perth) Morning - 21/12/2007 - 09:19 AM
Deegan talks to John Toumbourou, Prof of Psychology, Deakin Uni about his study on the influences of early adolescent alcohol consumption, conducted with colleagues from the University of NSW and the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute at the University of Melbourne.He says parents who use alcohol are more likely to have children who later use alcohol, though they can still refuse to let their children drink it.