December 2024

Reflections from our Director.

This year I had the great honour of giving the Vernon Collins Oration at the Melbourne Children's Campus. Vernon Collins was the first medical director of The Royal Children's Hospital and was known for understanding the importance of families and the context of children's lives - at the time, that was radical.

It made me think that it is this radically pragmatic mindset needed to address inequities in children's health, development and wellbeing in a generation. This remains a job not yet done. But there are real solutions at hand and a real opportunity to make a difference in the current policy environment. This follows our Centre not only reflecting on another year of progress and collaboration, but also celebrating a significant milestone - our 30th anniversary. It was an amazing event and highlighted many key achievements of our team and partners over the decades to better the lives of children through our research, evaluation and clinical work. So while I know we are all pretty tired as 2024 comes to a close, I feel a real sense of optimism and encouragement that change is possible and near.

To that end, it's important to celebrate this year's achievements. Of course, they're the result of the ongoing collaboration with so many of you who share our commitment to addressing inequities. We've worked closely with our colleagues in the early years sector and community partners to build on the momentum of the National Early Years Strategy, welcoming the recognition at both the government and policy levels of the importance of the early years. We are also strongly encouraged by the Productivity Commission into Early Childhood Education and Care's acknowledgement that high-quality services can improve outcomes for children, particularly those experiencing disadvantage.

Highlights of 2024:

• Celebrating 30 years of the Centre's work with an event and publication that honoured our journey and set the stage for the next chapter, with keynotes from special guests, Naomi Eisenstadt CB and Nat Kendall-Taylor.

• Hosting the Festschrift for Professor Frank Oberklaid to celebrate over 25 years of service to the Centre and immense contribution to children's health, development and wellbeing.

• Scaling of the Mental Health in Primary Schools (MHiPS) initiative to reach more than 900 primary schools across Victoria, and awarding of funding to commence expansion of MHiPS into Queensland and South Australia from 2025.

• Supporting the growth of the National Child and Family Hubs Network, advocating for greater access to community hubs in communities across Australia and the 2024-2029 Network Strategy.

• Hosting a successful webinar series, publishing over 100 research outputs, and continuing to produce a wealth of resources to advance children's health, development and wellbeing.

Looking towards 2025, I'm excited that we might gain real traction. Maybe we can match Australia's Olympic gold medal tally and become fourth in the world for addressing inequities? Now wouldn't that be radical?

On a personal note, on behalf of the Centre, I am deeply grateful for your ongoing support and the tireless efforts of everyone who has contributed to our shared mission. I hope you are able to take some time to relax over the festive season and spend quality time with those you love.

Warmest regards

Prof Sharon Goldfeld
Director, Centre for Community Child Health
 

Thanks for spending 2024 with us. Here are the top resources and news stories from this year.

Congratulations to our colleagues at the Centre on their diverse and exciting achievements this year.

• Emerging Talent in Evaluation award to Carla Pozo Jeria from the Mental Health in Primary Schools Team.
• Prof Sharon Goldfeld AM appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in the King's Birthday Honours. 
  • Prof Sharon Goldfeld AM was also elected as a fellow to join the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences.
• Prof Melissa Wake and A/Prof Valerie Sung's NHMRC Investigator Grants.

Too many Aussies are starting a family and raising their kids in poverty. Pursuit.

Up to 40% of Australia’s disadvantaged children live outside low-income areas, study finds. The Guardian.

How service reform can help break the cycle of disadvantage for children. Croakey.

The right data at the right time in the right hands supports better outcomes. Social Ventures Australia.

What happens when you give a low-income family $26,000 in their child’s first year? We think we’ve found out. The Conversation.

Success of phonics may take years. The Age.

Factors that impact mental health help-seeking in Australian adolescents: a life-course and socioecological perspective. Child and Adolescent Mental Health.

The complementary impacts of nurse home visiting and quality childcare for children experiencing adversity. Australian Journal of Social Issues.

Involvement of children and young people in the conduct of health research: A rapid umbrella review. Health Expectations.

Sleeping Sound Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): a randomised controlled trial of a brief behavioural sleep intervention in primary school-aged autistic children. Sleep Medicine.

Upcoming CCCH course dates

5 March 2025 Small Group Facilitation. Face-to-face Register
12 March 2025 Facilitating Family Partnership Model: Reflective Supervision. Face-to-face Register

eLearning courses

Infant Sleep Enrol
Laying the Foundations Enrol

Ask us about our customised training options. Email us at training.ccch@rch.org.au

We hope you have a healthy, safe and joyous end to 2024. We look forward to connecting with you again in 2025.