Since 1976, the Channel 7 Children’s Research Foundation has supported quality research into the health, education and welfare of Australia’s children.
Established with proceeds from the SAS Channel 7 Adelaide (then SAS10) annual Christmas Appeal telethon, the Foundation today dedicates around $1.5 million in grants each year to South Australia’s world-class research organisations, universities, institutes, health services, educational and other organisations that work tirelessly to generate new knowledge and build research capability that’s vital to improving the quality of life for all children.
Since its inception, the Foundation has provided nearly $40 million (today’s measured worth) in grants to over 900 research projects across community-based studies, clinical studies and basic science in the children’s research fields of allied health, fertility and pregnancy, dentistry, education, environment, nursing, medicine, mental health, midwifery and social sciences.
Today, the Foundation is especially committed to supporting the areas of child protection, mental health, reducing obesity, and the impacts that social determinants have on a child’s health and development.
The Foundation is proudly associated with Channel 7 Adelaide and South Australia’s leading research and service organisations of 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 founder and lead funder of the Chair for the Prevention of Childhood Disability, currently headed by Professor Jozef Gécz who in 2019 was named South Australia’s 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 works diligently to increase the funds it provides through the careful management of investment returns from an endowment portfolio, and by seeking and nurturing the charitable giving, corporate partnerships and kind patronage it gratefully receives 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.
CO-OPTED BY THE BOARD
Professor Kevin Forsyth
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Mr Greg Ward
TREASURER
Mr Jonathon Grant
CHANNEL 7 ADELAIDE
Mr Paul Jury – CHAIRPERSON
Mr Stephen Woolley – Deputy Chairperson
Ms Libby Rayner
Ms Rosanna Mangiarelli
Ms Chantelle Leaney
FLINDERS UNIVERSITY
Professor Claire Roberts
NOVITA CHILDREN’S SERVICES
Mr Greg de Cure
THE UNIVERSITY OF ADELAIDE
Professor Sarah Robertson
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Professor Pat Buckley
WOMEN’S AND CHILDREN’S HEALTH NETWORK
Dr Jennifer Fereday
Research Committee
Funding for research projects is granted annually following the review and 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
Dr Rhiannon Pilkington
REPRESENTATIVE OF THE BOARD
Mr Paul Jury
FLINDERS UNIVERSITY
Dr Scott Morris
THE UNIVERSITY OF ADELAIDE
Dr Tina Bianco-Miotto
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Professor Leanne Dibbens
WOMEN’S AND CHILDREN’S HEALTH NETWORK
Dr Jennifer Fereday
Patron
The Patron of the Foundation is the Governor of South Australia, His Excellency the Honourable Hieu Van Le AC.
Ambassador
Rosanna Mangiarelli is a journalist and presenter with 7NEWS. She is passionate about delivering news and current events affecting the world and has interviewed a myriad of international, national and state identities.
“It’s an absolute honour and privilege to be an Ambassador for the Children’s Research Foundation. Its commitment to South Australian children and vital research is long-standing and unrivalled. The Foundation not only focusses on a myriad of youth illnesses, but tackles important welfare and wellbeing issues in our ever-changing world. Its dedication to our young and giving them the protection they deserve is heart-warming and something all South Australians should be proud of.”
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.
Annual Reports
Prior Annual Reports are available upon request.