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 https://www.csu.edu.au/research/childrens-voices-centre/news-and-events #CharlesSturtResearch #ChildrensVoicesCentre #RegionalImpact #CommunicationRights
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| CVC staff: Tamara, Sharynne, Kathy, Carolyn (Lorraine) |
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
Thank you to our amazing CVC staff who orchestrated the entire event: A/Prof Tamara Cumming, A/Prof Kathy Cologon, Dr Carolyn Gregoric and Lorraine Bennett (this accomplishment is even more remarkable because they are all part time – between them they only work 2.6FTE!).
Special moments at the launch included:
- Powerful speeches by Finbar (11), Zac (9) and Chloe (7) where they presented their vision for the world supported by Associate Professor Kathy Cologon
- The speech by Professor Neena Mitter, our Deputy Vice Chancellor Research where she described the achievements and aspirations of CVC
- Our special guests, the Australian Children’s Laureate Ms Sally Rippin, with her co-authors, Eliza Hull and Daniel Gray-Barnett who read their new book, The World We Can Build https://publishing.hardiegrant.com/en-au/books/the-world-we-can-build-by-sally-rippin/9781761213601
- Acknowledgment of Country from Professor Tony Dreise, Pro Vice Chancellor (First Nations)
- The arrival of our VIPs – children from Mitchell Early Learning Centre and Member for Calare, Andrew Gee
- Cutting the ribbon and unveiling the plaque by Finbar, Knox and DVCR Neena Mitter.
- Charlie the Cockatoo (Felix) welcoming guests with Lorraine Bennett and Carolyn Gregoric
Here are some more photos from the launch
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| Professor Tony Dreise, Pro Vice Chancellor (First Nations) |
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| Associate Director, A/Prof Tamara Cumming |
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| Director, Distinguished Professor Sharynne McLeod |
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| Charlie the Cockatoo (Felix) with Sharynne |
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| Charlie the Cockatoo (Felix) with Lorraine Benett, Sharynne McLeod and Dean of FOAE Andrew Hope |
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| Pat McKenna, Sharynne Prof McLeod, Prof Neena Mitter, Prof Andrew Hope |
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| Prof Tony Dreise, Prof Sharynne McLeod, Prof Neena Mitter, A/Prof Kathy Cologon |
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| Prof Tony Dreise, Sarah Bartlett, Dr Carolyn Gregoric, Prof Neena Mitter |
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| A/Prof Tamara Cumming |
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| Adam and Chloe preparing to present a speech |
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| A/Prof Kathy Cologon, Chloe, Zach and Finbar |
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| Finbar's speech |
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| Chloe's speech |
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| The attentive VIPs |
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| Some of the crowd |
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| Children playing at the back of The Treehouse during the launch |
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| A/Prof Tamara Cumming and Prof Neena Mitter |
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| CVC song being lead by Zach, David, Finbar, Brendon and Kathy |
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| Activities for children and adults after the launch |
