What families like yours are helping us learn
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Message from our Scientific Director
This year, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute celebrates its 40th Anniversary. MCRI began in 1986 with a focus on genetic conditions. It has grown into a world-leading centre that works to improve the health and wellbeing of children and families. For all. Forever.
That is why GenV exists.
July brings two important steps forward. First, our new GenV Research Portal is opening. It lets approved researchers safely use GenV data to ask questions about children’s and parents’ health, development and wellbeing. You can read more about it below.
Second, GenV’s new Intervention Hub is starting work. It is supported by the Paul Ramsay Foundation and the Medical Research Future Fund. Most big studies follow people over time to learn how life unfolds. GenV can go further. It can actually test what improves health, learning and wellbeing in real life, for different families and communities. We hope to support important trials that need a study as large as GenV.
Work has also started on our Early School Wave. We last saw most of you when your child was a baby. Next time, they may already be in Grade 1 or 2! Subject to funding, the Early School Wave is planned for when children are around six or seven years old. It will help us learn how children are going as they begin school, and how parents are approaching midlife. This year, we are testing possible activities with parents and children. We want to make sure they are easy, inclusive and enjoyable.
Thank you again for being part of something special. GenV is made in Victoria. But together, we are learning how to help children and families across Australia and the world.
With best wishes,
Professor Melissa Wake
GenV Scientific Director
GenV's Research Portal
We are excited that our Research Portal opens soon.
This is a new online site for research. Researchers can explore the GenV data. They can ask to use data to study health and/or wellbeing. The Portal tells them how to ask and what rules they must follow.
Before researchers can use any data, they must tell us what they want to study and why it is needed. An expert team checks every request. Data stay in an online space with strong safety steps.
When we say yes to a study, we will add it to the GenV website. You can see what researchers are asking and how GenV data are helping.
Thank you to every GenV family. The Portal is here because you have given your time and data.
Together, you are helping make life better for children, parents and communities in Victoria and beyond.
GenV and Me: Time to play!
Play is more than fun. It helps children learn, grow and build new skills.
In the 2-year survey we asked parents what their child likes to do when they play. Here is what they told us:
- 9 in 10 (90%) parents said their child enjoys active play, like running and climbing.
- 8 in 10 (80%) said their child enjoys books and stories.
- More than half (57%) said their child likes playing with dolls or soft toys.
- 3 in 10 (30%) said their child likes to sort or line up toys.
- 2 in 10 (17%) said their child likes watching things go around, like wheels or fans.
The more parents who fill in surveys, the more we can learn about children and families across Victoria. Missed a survey? That’s ok, we’d love to hear from you at the next one.
Visit the Raising Children Network to find out how play helps your child’s brain grow. You can also find fun play ideas for different ages.
A special visit
As part of the MCRI 40th Anniversary celebrations we welcomed Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to MCRI to learn more about our work.
Some of our GenV families joined us on the day. They shared their stories and showed the warmth and pride of the GenV community. Our very own GeneVieve was a highlight of the day!
We were proud to celebrate our families, community and everything we are achieving together.
Photo by David Caird / Courtesy News Corp.
Our GenV families
We love hearing from GenV families! We caught up with GenV mum Liz, who shared what being part of GenV means to her and her family …
“It's just great to be part of something bigger. I'm quite passionate about the idea of contributing towards science or towards positive outcomes”
GenV turns 5 in October! Join the party
This October marks five years of GenV and we couldn’t have done it without our GenV families.
We’d love to catch up with some of our families that featured in the early days and hear how things are going now.
However long you’ve been part of GenV, we’re so thankful and can’t wait to celebrate together!
Your feedback is important to us
We would love to hear about your GenV experience and any information you’d like to learn more about. We welcome any comments, questions, ideas and suggestions you would like to share.
You can also help shape GenV by joining our Parent Advisory Panel!
Thank you for helping us improve and grow together. GenV parent, Nathalie...
“I feel like it has a lot of potential to do a lot of good in the future and at the same time, as a participant I don't really have to do much for it”
GenV Kids' Corner
Did you know? Colouring is a way to support your child’s development. It helps children relax, focus and be creative. Holding and picking up pencils and crayons also helps strengthen the small muscles in their hands. This can also make it easier for learning to write and their coordination.
We'd love to add your child's GenV colouring creations to the GenV Kids' Corner Gallery.
Families are at the heart of GenV
Do you have friends or family living in Victoria with a child born between October 2021 and October 2023 who might like to join GenV? Please help spread the word. We’d love to hear from them!
If your child’s other parent/guardian are not yet part of GenV, we would love to welcome them too.
Have questions or feedback?
Changed your contact details? Please reach out to the GenV team at:
Phone: 1800 GEN VVV (1800 436 888)
Email: genv@mcri.edu.au
Website: www.genv.org.au
Keep up with GenV via our social media:
GenV is led from the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI), supported by The Royal Children’s Hospital and The University of Melbourne, and funded by the Paul Ramsay Foundation, the Victorian Government, The Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation, the National Health and Medical Research Council and the Medical Research Future Fund.
