The Centre for Hormone Research

The Centre for Hormone Research (CHR), part of the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, is the research arm of the Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, at the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne, Australia. The Centre also has close links to the University of Melbourne, Department of Paediatrics.

CHR has a staff of around forty scientists, clinicians and support staff whose research is devoted to increasing the understanding of the hormonal processes in the body that control growth, development and metabolism, and to discovering new therapies for disorders. We seek to provide the children and families affected by diabetes and disorders of growth and development with a future free of physical, social and emotional handicap.

CHR aims to provide a strong link between 'basic' or laboratory research and the clinic, both via clinical research and through the care of affected children and their families. Integration between research and clinical treatment of patients is one of our major strengths.

Research

Our major areas of research are Diabetes, Growth, Sexual Development, Obesity and Healthy Bones - the work is conducted by our three research groups.

• Diabetes
• Hormone research
• Molecular development

CHR Executive

Professor George Werther (Director)
Fergus Cameron
Vincenzo Russo
Matthew Sabin

CHR Development Board

The Development Board oversees the fund-raising and public relations activities of the Centre. Board members include the Executive and representatives from the community, corporate, the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute (MCRI) and Royal Children's Hospital Foundation:

David N Galbally QC (Chairman)
Bryce Cameron
Vince Comito
Anne Cronin (MCRI)
David J Galbally
Stefan Hnativ (RCH Foundation)
Katie Finney
Philippa Finney
Alyssa Jones (MCRI)
Adrian King
Jacqueline Pascarl
Raoul Salter
Charlotte Whittle

Newsletters

We keep you informed of our activities through the newsletters, which you can download here, or contact us if you would like a copy mailed to you.

Projects

Health and Understanding Series

The Health and Understanding Series began on 5 December 2005 with a meeting of Melbourne based Children’s Authors. The original concept was to raise the profile of the Centre for Hormone Research by asking authors to write stories on the areas of research undertaken by the Centre.

Two of the original authors introduced us to Gary and Shelley Underwood from UC Publishing. They are a publishing/packaging company. They then bought onboard Blake Education as the publisher and distributor.

Health and Understanding has developed into a literacy-based series written for students in the last three years of primary school. This series provides teachers and students with the opportunity to explore a range of health topics that are involved in, and required for, a healthy lifestyle.

This series looks at our need for an active lifestyle, how health needs changed as people grow, how we can develop and build relationships with others, and the personal health choices students must make for themselves in order to enjoy good health.

Written by experienced children’s authors including Hazel Edwards, Goldie Alexander, Alan Horsfield and Wendy St Germain.

The role of the Centre for Hormone Research was to use the expertise of our staff, MCRI and RCH staff, to proof and correct draft manuscripts.

Obesity, diabetes, eating disorders, growth, development, active lifestyles, environmental health and mental health are just some of the areas of concern where teachers are actively seeking accurate, accessible information.

Titles in the series:

Active Lifestyles	Growth and Development	Personal Health Choices
Components of an Active Lifestyle Leisure Time Effects of Physical Activity Passport to Safety Teamwork Overcoming Obstacles to Physical Activity Physical Activity in the Real World Achieving Optimal Health Click thumbnail to enlarge photo	Who am I? Body Image Gender Image The Body’s Processes Hurdles to Relationships Growth and Change Relationships Improving Communication Click thumbnail to enlarge photo	Influences on Health Choices Nutrition Across a Lifetime How Good is My Food? Why Weight Food and the Environment Tobacco, Alcohol and Caffeine Risky Business Illnesses Click thumbnail to enlarge photo

Student Books: 24
Teacher Guides: 3
Big Books: 3

The Series is available through the Blake Education website

Support Us

We are funded by highly competitive research grants from the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia and other national and international bodies. Innovative, high-risk research projects are generally not funded adequately by these grants.

You can assist by volunteering time and services, participating in our fundraising and public awareness events, donating or raising funds for specific projects or sponsoring a program, including research projects or specialist equipment.

Bequests

You may want to think of CHR in your will. Your help will support the Centre's work in preventing the long-term effects of disease in childhood. Your bequests will help children grow into healthy adolescents and adults. Contact us for more information on how your legacy can improve children's health in Australia.

Donations

Your donation to the CHR will directly help child health through our research into Juvenile Diabetes, Growth Disorders, Healthy Bones, Obesity and Abnormal Genital/Pubertal Development. Contact us for more information on how you can make a difference. Donations over $2 are tax deductible.

Sponsorship Programs

The Centre is keen to explore novel ideas and possible new therapies. Key areas of opportunity, which cannot be pursued without additional funding, are:

Would you like to know more?

Events

Movie Night - Animal Kingdom

Tuesday 1 June 2010
Rivoli Cinema
6.30pm light refreshments, movie starts promptly at 7pm
Ticket price $25

Winner of the 2010 Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival. Animal Kingdom is a powerful psychological crime drama set in Melbourne.

Starring Ben Mendelsohn, Joel Edgerton, Guy Pearce, Jacki Weaver and introducing James Frencheville.

All proceeds from this event will support the Aitken Fellowship in Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, within The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne, Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes. more details.

To purchase tickets please contact: Lee-Ann Jones, Administrative Assistant, Centre for Hormone Research, Early Development and Disease Theme or ext 7057.

view flyer

Contact Us

The Centre for Hormone Research is grateful for the support offered by: