Pre 1990
FIRST SYMPOSIUM
CANBERRA INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM INTO COT DEATH
FEBRUARY 1985
Pending the accumulation of sufficient income to support a major ongoing project, the Fund organised a colloquiun into Cot Death in Canberra. Five internationally recognised experts from the U.K. and U.S.A. were invited and twenty-five eminent Australian research specialists also attended. These experts came from four separate disciplines, thus making the Conference rather unique in this field. Deliberations of the Conference were published in the Australian Paediatric Journal and circulated worldwide.
1986 Research Grants
When the Board approved in principle an appropriation of $100,000 for three years from l986 for a major research project into Cot Death, our hopes were that we might fund a significant, single project over time.
However, from the applications received and considered by the Research Committee, no single, large project could be recommended. On the contrary, several smaller, but most interesting and potentially quite significant areas of research were recommended by the Board and were approved in 1986. These totalled $100,552 and the following is a brief outline of the projects:
King George V Hospital, Sydney
$15,170
Maturation of the brain and the NSW development of respiratory control
Monash University, Melbourne, VIC
$17,471
Investigation into causes and effects of nasal obstructions
Cumberland College of Health
$18,314
Investigation of lung abnormalities Sciences, Sydney, NSW
Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, VlC
$17,960
Studies on possible role of microbiology in Cot Death
University of Tasmania, TAS
$11,637
Prospective study using computer data into higher incidence of Cot Death in Tasmania
University of Queensland
$20,000
Research into need for an appropriate form of counselling in Cot Death situations
Total Grants Awarded: $100,552
SECOND SYMPOSIUM
SYDNEY INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM INTO MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY
NOVEMBER 1986
Following the enthusiastic response to the first International Research Symposium in Canberra, a further meeting was held in Sydney in November 1986. Forty leading Australian and New Zealand researchers into Muscular Dystrophy and Related Diseases met for three days with acknowledged world leaders from U.S.A. and the U.K. The inter- change of ideas and information about current techniques in use overseas will have a significant impact on Australian research in future years. The deliberations of this Conference were reported in the Australian Paediatric Journal and received worldwide publicity.
1987 Research Grants
The Board, on the advice of the Research Committee, approved grants totalling $103,000 during 1987. Three of the 1986 projects were selected for continued research and were:
King George V Hospital, Sydney, NSW
Funded 1986- $15,170
$14,000
Further studies on effect of maturation of the brain and the development of respiratory control
Monash University, Melbourne, VIC
Funded 1986- $17,417
$22,000
Continuation of investigation into causes and effects of nasal obstructions
University of Tasmania, TAS
Funded 1986- $11,637
$67,000
Expanded study using computer data into higher incidence of Cot Death in Tasmania
Total Grants Awarded: $103,000
The largest allocation in 1987 enabled to proceed at full speed with his very important project which seeks to determine the reason for the incidence of Cot Death in Tasmania being twice the mainland average.
It is significant that the 1986 project at the University of Queensland was approved for funding in 1987 by the NH & MRC. There, Rotary's seeding grant has shown the value of the researchers from the University of Queensland work which has now been supported by the Australian Government.
THIRD SYMPOSIUM
CANBERRA INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM INTO ALZHElMERS DISEASE
OCTOBER 1988
The Third International Research Symposium was conducted in Canberra, 28-30 October 1988 at the Australian National University. The subject for study and discussion was Alzheimers Disease and Related Disorders
1988 Research Grants
Having considered 15 applications from all States except the A.C.T. and N.T., the Research Committee recommended, and the Board approved, grants totalling $120,000 for 1988.
In keeping with our policy to provide continuity for worthwhile projects, all grants were directed to previous recipients.
University of Tasmania, TAS
Funded 1986- $11,637, Funded 1987- $67,000
$75,000
Second full year of three year programme of epidemiological studies into the high incidence of Cot Death in Tasmania
University of Queensland, QLD
Funded 1986- $20,000
$20,000
Research into need for appropriate form of counselling in Cot Death situations
King George V Hospital, Sydney, NSW
Funded 1986- $15,170, Funded 1987- $14,000
$15,000
Continuing studies on effect of maturation of the brain and the development of respiratory control.
Monash University, Melbourne, VIC
Funded 1986- $17,471, Funded 1987- $22,000
$10,000
Continuation of investigation into causes and effects of nasal obstructions
Total Grants Awarded: $120,000
Each of these programmes were conducted by recognised specialists in the field. The Board was assured that the quality of research was of the highest order and that all results would be published world wide with due acknowledgment to Rotary.
THE SECOND RESEARCH TRIENNIUM
In 1988 the Board of Rotary Health Research believed that having honoured its commitment to Cot Death for the first three years, and having allocated $423,000 for research into this field, it should seek the advice of the Research Committee relating to the next avenue worthy of our attention, notwithstanding that work at the University of Tasmania would warrant further funding. The Board, after much discussion and receiving expert opinion from the Research Committee, declared that the area of research for the next 3 years would be: "Environmental Health problems of the Aged". Preference will be given to projects which involve Rotary or community groups in investigation and/or application. This decision takes note of the ageing of the Australian population and the fact that many Rotary Clubs are active in serving the elderly in their communities.
Research projects under this heading will be more likely to be of a practical nature and Rotary Clubs through local Institutions, etc. may well be involved in both developing applications for grants and in the actual work should such applications be approved.
1989 Research Grants
Twenty seven applications were received for grants in 1989.
The Research Committee recommended, and the Board approved, nine projects totalling $200,000, two of these being continuing projects into Cot Death and the other seven covering aspects of our new area of research "Environmental Health Problems of the Aged".
The successful applicants were:
Cot Death
University of Tasmania, TAS
Funded 1986- $11,637, Funded 1987- $67,000, Funded 1988- $75,000
$80,000
Continuing study into incidence of Cot Death in Tasmania
University of Queensland, QLD
Funded 1986 & 1988- $20,000
$20,000
Continuing research into appropriate form of counselling in Cot Death situations
Aged
SA Health Commission, SA
$26,000
Prevention of falls among elderly people
University of WA, WA
$25,000
Lifestyle factors influencing blood pressure in elderly Australians
University of Queensland, QLD
$15,000
Prospective controlled study of health related behaviour in recently widowed elderly men
Ipswich Hospital/University of Queensland, QLD
$12,250
Factors affecting re-admission of the elderly into the health care system
University of WA, WA
$9,000
Measurement of the skin cancer cases in people over age of 40 years
Hunter Institute of Higher Education, NSW
$7,500
Data collection of living problems of the aged
Monash University, Melbourne, VIC
$5,250
Comparison of environmental hazards facing elderly living at home versus in a retirement village
Total Grants Awarded: $200,000
1990 Research Grants
Aged
ANU, Canberra, ACT
$75,000
A Longitudinal Population Study of Dementia and Depression in the Elderly
Professor R Meares, Westmead Hospital, NSW
$60,064
Non-invasive measurement of brain function, during short-term memory, in early Alzheimers Disease
University of Queensland, QLD
$29,270
Promotion of independence in the elderly
SA Health Commission, SA
Funded 1989- $26,000
$25,730
Safety for the elderly in public places
Menzies School of Health Research, NT
$22,500
Investigation, control and prevention of parasitic diseases in aboriginal communities
University of Queensland, QLD
$21,970
Identifying effective community education processes with the elderly
National Research Inst. of Gerontology & Geriatric Medicine, VIC
$21,500
Diagnosis, management & outcome of dementia
Monash University, VIC
Funded 1989- $5,250
$17,300
Prospective study into environmental hazard for the elderly
St George Hospital, NSW
$16,830
Health services study evaluation Stress and Strain in elderly co-resident carers of dementia and stroke sufferers
Cumberland College of Health
$13,640
Investigation of feasibility and Sciences, NSW merit of systematic consultative process in design of hostel accommodation
Ipswich General Hospital, QLD
Funded 1989- $12,250
$12,830
Factors affecting re-admission of the elderly into the health care system
Hunter Institute of Higher Education, NSW
Funded 1989- $7,500
$8,000
Data collection of living problems and lifestyle expectations of elderly within the Hunter region
Curtin University, WA
$7,640
Discharge planning, health status outcomes of elderly disabled people and the impact of community resource allocation.
University of Queensland, QLD
Funded 1989- $1,500
$7,330
Prospective controlled study of health related behaviour in recently widowed elderly men
Cot Death
University of Tasmania, TAS
Funded 1986- $11,637, Funded 1987- $67,000, Funded 1988- $75,000, Funded 1989- $80,000
$30,000
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
University of Queensland, QLD
Funded 1986- $20,000, Funded 1988/89- $20,000
$20,000
Family reactions two years after Sudden Infant Death, Stillbirth or Neonatal
Total Grants Awarded: $389,624