Message from the CEO: Your commitment, in action

I’d like to begin, as I so often do, with gratitude.

Everything you’ll read about in this edition of Thanks to You exists because of your belief that health equity is something we build together – across communities, across borders and across generations.

In the pages that follow, you will see story after story of partnerships in action. Partnerships that are grounded in respect, shared purpose and local leadership, and sustained by generous people like you.

You’ll also see what a decade of patient, donor-backed investment has achieved through the Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies program. We are proud of the work this program has done to strengthen research, services and leadership in Papua New Guinea, so the country is better placed to sustain the health of communities not just today but for generations to come.

Our commitment to locally led change underpins the opening of our office in Vanuatu. With a dedicated, in-country team working alongside government and regional partners, Burnet’s role will be to support the workforce, share expertise and help build resilient health systems ready to meet current and future challenges. Australia is part of the Pacific family, and our wellbeing is deeply connected. When our neighbours are stronger, we are stronger, too.

You’ll also read about the work underway in our virology laboratories, where your support is enabling essential research into emerging viruses before they become global threats. It is careful, sometimes unseen work, but it is exactly what protects us all.

This edition also marks an important leadership transition. I want to thank Mary Padbury for her extraordinary 15 years of dedicated service on Burnet’s Board, including seven as Chair.

Her steady, principled leadership strengthened our foundations at a time of enormous global challenge. And I’m delighted to welcome James Flintoft as our new Chair. With deep experience across finance, government and the private sector, he brings valuable insight that will guide Burnet confidently into our next chapter.

In every story you’ll find the same truth – that progress happens when people come together and commit for the long term. Thank you for standing with communities across Australia, our region and the globe, helping our research to go further so that no-one is left behind.

Professor Brendan Crabb AC
Director and CEO