The Channel 7 Children’s Research Foundation is an independent funder of innovative children’s research grants in South Australia.
Established in 1976 with proceeds from the SAS Channel 7 Adelaide (then SAS10) annual Christmas Appeal telethon, the Foundation is dedicated to improving the health, education and welfare of Australia’s children through the provision of grants to advance the knowledge, capability and outcomes of South Australia’s world-class research organisations
Today, it is especially committed to building knowledge and capability in the critical areas of child protection, mental health, effects of obesity and understanding the impacts that social determinants have on a child’s life.
Each year $1.5 million is distributed to South Australian-led research projects within universities, institutes, health services and other organisations. Since its inception, grants in excess of $28 million have been provided by the Foundation to community-based studies, clinical studies and basic science projects in the children’s research fields of allied health, dentistry, education, environment, nursing, medicine, mental health, midwifery and social sciences.
The Foundation continues its proud association with Channel 7 Adelaide and some of the nation’s leading research and service organisations – Flinders University, Novita Children’s Services, The University of Adelaide, University of South Australia and the Women’s and Children’s Health Network – which together forms its honorary Board and independent Research Committee.
It’s also a lead funder of the Chair for the Prevention of Childhood Disability, Professor Jozef Gécz, who in 2019 was named South Australian Scientist of the Year at the Science Excellence Awards.
Operating as a registered charity and a not-for-profit incorporated association, where operational efficiency is a priority, the Channel 7 Children’s Research Foundation strives to increase the funds it provides each year through the careful management of investment returns from an endowment portfolio, and by growing and nurturing the charitable giving, partnerships and patronage that is gratefully received from Australia’s business and family communities.
Honorary Board
An honorary Board oversees the Foundation, and comprises representatives from Channel 7 Adelaide, Novita Children’s Services, the Women’s and Children’s Health Network, The University of Adelaide, Flinders University and the University of South Australia.
CHANNEL 7 ADELAIDE:
Mr Len Frankham – CHAIRPERSON
Mr Paul Jury – Deputy Chairperson
Mr Stephen Woolley
Mr Dennis Earl
Ms Libby Rayner
NOVITA CHILDREN’S SERVICES
Mr Greg de Cure
WOMEN’S AND CHILDREN’S HEALTH NETWORK
Dr Jennifer Fereday
FLINDERS UNIVERSITY
Professor Ross McKinnon
THE UNIVERSITY OF ADELAIDE
Professor Sarah Robertson
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Professor Pat Buckley
CO-OPTED BY THE BOARD
Professor Kevin Forsyth
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Mr Greg Ward
TREASURER
Mr Jonathon Grant
Research Committee
Funding for research projects is granted annually on the recommendation of an independent Research Committee, comprising nominees of the Foundation, Flinders University, The University of Adelaide, the University of South Australia and the Women’s and Children’s Health Network.
CO-OPTED BY THE BOARD
Professor Kevin Forsyth – CHAIRPERSON
FLINDERS UNIVERSITY
Dr Scott Morris
THE UNIVERSITY OF ADELAIDE
Professor Rebecca Robker
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Professor Leanne Dibbens
WOMEN’S AND CHILDREN’S HEALTH NETWORK
Dr Jennifer Fereday
REPRESENTATIVE OF THE BOARD
Mr Len Frankham
Ambassador
Rosanna Mangiarelli is the host of the Seven Network’s Today Tonight. She is passionate about delivering news and current events affecting the world and has interviewed a myriad of international, national and state identities.
Patron
The Patron of the Foundation is the Governor of South Australia, His Excellency the Honourable Hieu Van Le AC
Other Relationships
Chair for the Prevention of Childhood Disability
International Human Genetics expert, Professor Jozef Gécz, leads a comprehensive multi-disciplinary research program in Adelaide focused on defining the origins and early diagnosis of childhood disability. Jozef is Chair for the Prevention of Childhood Disability, which was established under a partnership between the Channel 7 Children’s Research Foundation, the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) and the University of Adelaide’s Robinson Research Institute.
Healthy Development Adelaide (HDA)
The Channel 7 Children’s Research Foundation sponsors PhD top-up scholarships for scholars undertaking projects in the area of healthy development. The Scholars will be ‘enrolled’ in the HDA Research Training Program with mentoring, career development opportunities, and research training placements.
Australian Society for Medical Research (ASMR)
The Channel 7 Children’s Research Foundation supports the Australian Society for Medical Research (ASMR) Annual Scientific Week’s Annual Gala Dinner.
Foundation Rules
The Channel 7 Children’s Research Foundation is governed by the Rules of the Foundation, in accordance with the Associations Incorporation Act, 1985 as amended.