MCRI community recognised in 2026 Kings Birthday Honours

Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI) celebrates Kings Birthday Honours awarded to four women who have dedicated their lives to improving children’s health and wellbeing in Australia, and beyond.

MCRI Council of Ambassadors' member since 2017 Janet Calvert-Jones (above) was a recipient of the Companion of the Order of Australia (AC), the highest award in the King’s Birthday Honours.

Mrs Calvert-Jones was recognised for eminent service to philanthropy, the arts, medical research organisations, the community and children and youth.

She was one of five Australians to be honoured with the AC this year, which follows her appointment of an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 2006.

Mrs Calvert-Jones’ mother, Dame Elisabeth Murdoch AC DBE, established the Murdoch Institute four decades ago together with Professor David Danks AO.

Mrs Calvert-Jones and the Calvert-Jones Foundation have supported MCRI and a range of organisations spanning health, the arts and public spaces, including The Australian Ballet, National Gallery of Victoria and Zoos Victoria.

As chairman of The Herald & Weekly Times (HWT) from 1989 to 2009, Mrs Calvert-Jones was notably committed to the success of the Good Friday Appeal (GFA) for The Royal Children’s Hospital. Since 2013, her daughter Penny Fowler has followed in her footstepsas chairman of both HWT and GFA.

Image: The late Professor Katie Allen AO.

The late Professor Katie Allen was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for her distinguished service to medical research as a paediatric allergist and gastroenterologist, and to the people and Parliament of Australia.

Professor Allen AO, who sadly died of cancer on 23 December 2025, was an exceptional clinician‑scientist whose work transformed child health research, policy and practice, leaving a lasting legacy for children and families worldwide.

In delivering Professor Allen’s Eulogy at the Memorial Service in January, MCRI Director Professor Kathryn North AC reflected on her friend and former colleague’s brilliance, compassion and leadership.

“Katie’s research consistently translated into real-world impact,” she said. “She continuously championed population-level approaches to disease prevention, ahead of their widespread adoption.”

Professor Allen’s most transformative contribution was in allergy research. Recognising key gaps in understanding, she established the landmark HealthNuts study, following more than 5,000 children, and helped build the Centre for Food Allergy Research and, later, the National Allergy Centre of Excellence. Both national bodies are hosted at MCRI.

This work revealed Melbourne had the highest rates of food allergy globally and identified critical risk factors, shaping internationalclinical guidelines and infant feeding practices.

Across her career, Professor Allen led studies involving more than 72,000 participants and authored more than 400 publications, influencing hundreds of policy documents and guidelines.

A dedicated mentor, she supervised more than 30 PhD students and nurtured future leaders, including Professor Kirsten Perrett and Associate Professor Jennifer Koplin.

As Director of Population Health, she led more than 550 researchers and expanded major programs, including LifeCourse and Generation Victoria.

Image: Members of MCRI’s Council of Ambassadors The Hon Dame Quentine Bryce AD CVO, Paula Fox AO, Director Kathryn North AC, Frances Underwood AM and Chair Sarah Murdoch.

MCRI Council of Ambassadors member Frances Underwood was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to music education, the arts and the community of Tasmania.

Since Mrs Underwood’s husband, the late Governor of Tasmania Peter Underwood AC, died in June 2025 she has remained committed to improving education opportunities for all Tasmanians.

Mrs Underwood has been a longstanding and committed member of MCRI’s Council of Ambassadors, contributing to the group since its formation and later formally joining in 2016.

A respected community leader, Mrs Underwood lends her voice, credibility and long-term support to advancing MCRI’s purpose to give all children the opportunity to live a healthy and fulfilled life.

Image: Edwina McCann AM at MCRI’s Dame Elisabeth Murdoch Lunch 2025.

MCRI advocate Edwina McCann was also awarded an AM for significant service to journalism, the fashion industry and to arts governance.

Ms McCann has played a pivotal role in raising the Institute’s profile over many years, including during her time as Editor in Chief of Vogue Australia and Editorial Director at News Prestige.

Among her many accolades, Ms McCann won a Lifetime Achievement Award, Australian Fashion Laureate in 2018 and was named in the 30 Most Powerful Women in Australian Media, B&T in 2015.

She is on the Board of the Museum of Contemporary Art, St Joseph's College Foundation and Australian Rugby Foundation.

These four pioneering women have passionately supported MCRI’s child health research. To learn how you could join them by donating to areas of research in the greatest need of support, see our 2026 Prospectus.