Launch of Community Engagement Program

Professor Lyle Palmer talks to the press about the most extensive community outreach program ever conducted for any medical research program in the world

Professor Barry Marshall says that his Nobel-winning research would not have been possible without the generosity of volunteers from the WA community

Guests included Prof Barry Marshall (2005 Nobel Prize Laureate); Dr Digby Cullen (Busselton Foundation Board Member); Dr Neale Fong (WA Health Director-General) and 2005 Australian of the Year, Dr Fiona Wood

Prof Lyle Palmer (JFHS Scientific Director), with Joondalup residents and special guests Brett Heady (former AFL West Coast Eagle) and family

Prof Peter Thompson (WAIMR Deputy Director, left) talks about blood pressure with Dr Paul Skerritt (Joondalup resident and Head of the AMA (WA branch), right)

Shannon Smith and his daughter Bianca with Prof Lyle Palmer and Grace Monaghan

Dr Fiona Wood chats with WAIMR Visiting Professor Lou Landau, about the role of the community in helping to make medical breakthroughs

November 16th, 2005 - Event at Arena Joondalup

Two of WA's most admired and successful medical researchers Nobel Prize winner Professor Barry Marshall and 2005 Australian of the Year Dr Fiona Wood - joined a host of key health group representatives to launch the proposed Joondalup Family Health Study.

Medical breakthroughs made possible by community

Dr Wood's presentation focused on the fundamental role of the community in bringing about medical breakthroughs, improving their own health and shaping their society.

Professor Marshall added that his Nobel-winning work would not have been possible without the generosity of the WA community, many of whom volunteered to participate in his medical research. Professor Marshall can also claim a special link to Joondalup - his parents are members of the Joondalup community.

Most extensive medical research outreach program in the world

Professor Lyle Palmer, Head of the WA Institute for Medical Research Laboratory for Genetic Epidemiology and study leader, revealed the community engagement program, which will be the most extensive outreach program ever conducted for any medical research study in the world.

The aim of the program is to engage with residents, government and other key stakeholders to assess support for a family health study within the Joondalup community.

For example, over 7000 Joondalup residents were comprehensively surveyed about their views and every City of Joondalup household received an information leaflet and Community Forum invitation.

Only the beginning

This engagement process is ongoing and many other initiatives are being planned to give the Joondalup community their say.