Book pitch - Vaccination is under threat: Communication is key

 I am mentoring Dr Ros Cox in the writing and publication of her book "Vaccination is under threat: Communication is key". She pitches the book with the publishers today. Best wishes Ros! Can't wait to work with you on this.

 

Charles Sturt University is a member of the WHO Disability Health Equity Network

Today we received the welcome news that we have been accepted as a member of the WHO Disability Health Equity Network.

We are pleased to welcome Charles Sturt University as a member of the WHO Disability Health Equity Network. Please find attached the Disability Health Equity Network membership certificate for your entity, and a copy of the Terms of reference for the Network. 

CSU's application was focused on the work of the Children's Voices Centre. We are proud to work with WHO to change the lives of children and others with disabilities and the workforce, families and communities who support them.

We have added this partnership to our CVC website: https://www.csu.edu.au/research/childrens-voices-centre/engage-with-us 

 

Terms of Reference

The WHO Disability Health Equity Network (hereinafter referred to as the Network)
envisions health equity for all persons with disabilities in support of the implementation
of the WHA74.8 Resolution on the Highest attainable standard of health for persons with
disabilities and advance WHO’s work on closing the avoidable health gaps between
persons with disabilities and the broader population. The Network aims to advance the
GPW14 Strategic Objective 4: Improve health service coverage and financial protection to
address inequity and gender inequalities; more specifically:
• 4.1. Equity in access to quality services improved for noncommunicable diseases,
mental health conditions and communicable diseases, while addressing antimicrobial
resistance; and
• 4.2. Equity in access to sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, adolescent,
and older person health and nutrition services and immunization coverage improved.
It also advances the goal of leaving no one behind.

Cheers from our team: Sharynne, Suzanne, Holly 

 

Discussion of research outcomes with OAMS

Today Sarah Bartlett and I visited the Orange Aboriginal Medical Service (OAMS) to discuss the outcomes of the research we have undertaken with them since March 2023 (officially from 2024-June 2025). We are writing four journal articles with the team. What a warm and encouraging discussion about the findings. Jamie Newman, the CEO said "we will speak for you and you can speak for us". Thank you Jamie and congratulations on the wonderful care you and your team show for the families in our region.

 We were delighted to see that the Little Libraries were messy - and that the reception staff said they were used all the time :)

 

 

Children's Voices Centre newsletter

Our Children's Voices Centre Newsletter - Edition 1 - was released during our launch on 1st October 2025. It contains 28 pages of wonderful work of the whole CVC family.

CEO Jamie Newman, Orange Aboriginal Medical Service reading about our collaborations on pages 4 and 21

 

 

Launch of the Children's Voices Centre

Yesterday (1st October 2025) we launched the Children's Voices Centre (CVC). What a landmark moment in my life. Thank you to Associate Professors Tamara Cumming and Kathy Cologon, Dr Carolyn Gregoric, Lorraine Bennett and CVC affiliates, and everyone who has helped us build the CVC.

 Here is the LinkedIn post from our Deputy Vice Chancellor - Research, Professor Neena Mitter, who opened the Centre: 

Yesterday’s launch of the Children’s Voices Centre in Bathurst was one of those rare moments that stays with you.
To see children, families, researchers, and the community gathered together to celebrate the power of children’s voices was deeply moving. It reminded me how research is not just about data or outcomes — it is about people, connections, and creating spaces where every voice matters.
The Children’s Voices Centre is already making an extraordinary impact:

• Children from 18 countries have contributed to the Children Draw Health project, sharing their perspectives on wellbeing.
• Researchers have produced a landmark 1,000+ page Oxford Handbook with 173 authors across 49 languages, reshaping how the world understands multilingual children’s speech.
• Collaborations with the World Health Organization are ensuring children’s voices influence health equity on a global stage.
• Collaborations with families and professionals in 100+ languages and dialects.

Congratulations to Distinguished Professor Sharynne McLeod Associate Professors Tamara Cumming and Kathy Cologon, and Dr Carolyn Gregoric, Lorraine Bennett and affiliates on bringing this vision to life. As the children who spoke at the launch emphasised, the Children’s Voices Centre will be a beacon for children and families, amplifying voices that too often go unheard.
I feel grateful to have witnessed this beginning and look forward to seeing the journey ahead.
Read more in the Children’s Voices Centre newsletter (link required)
#CharlesSturtResearch #ChildrensVoicesCentre #RegionalImpact #CommunicationRights

 

Here is the CSU media release before the launch:

Shaping a better world for children ─ innovative new research centre opens in Bathurst

https://news.csu.edu.au/in-brief/shaping-a-better-world-for-children-innovative-new-research-centre-opens-in-bathurst