Sir Gus Nossal and Ita Buttrose receive gongs at Research Australia Awards

Ita Buttrose and Sir Gus Nossal are amongst those who were recognised in last night’s Research Australia Awards, which took place at a gala event at Sydney’s Powerhouse Museum.

“The Research Australia Awards recognise individuals and corporations for areas such as discovery, advocacy, philanthropy and lifetime achievement,” said Elizabeth Foley, Chief Executive Officer of Research Australia. “A robust health and medical research industry is crucial to ensuring Australia continues to lead the world in terms of innovation and improved patient care. We congratulate all of the recipients for their pioneering efforts and ongoing commitment to advancing the health and medical research industry in Australia”.

The recipients of this year’s awards are:

Griffith Discovery Award: Dr Motoko Koyama, M.D., PhD. Early in her career, Dr Koyama’s discovery has already shown significant impact for life saving transplants.

Dr Motoko Koyama’s research projects at the Queensland Institute of Medical Research within the Bone and Marrow Transplantation Laboratory have focused on using preclinical transplant models to dissect the immunological mechanisms of transplant rejection, to improve patient outcomes through new therapies to prevent and treat graft-versus-host disease (GVHD).

Bupa Advocacy Award: Ita Buttrose AO, OBE Ita Buttrose is recognised for her long-standing commitment to health and medical research through the Bupa Advocacy Award, which is presented to a notable Australian who has raised community awareness about the benefits of health and medical research and the need for increased funding for continued innovation in the industry.

Ita Buttrose is currently National President of Alzheimer's Australia, Patron of the Macular Degeneration Foundation; and Vice President Emeritus of Arthritis Australia. Ita Buttrose was made an Officer of the Order of Australia for her services to the community, especially in the field of public health education, for spearheading Australia's HIV/AIDS Education Program.

The Peter Wills Medal: Sir Gustav Nossal, AC, CBE, FAA, FRS Created in honour of the leader whose work led to the inception of Research Australia, The Peter Wills Medal recognises an Australian who has made an outstanding contribution to building Australia’s international reputation in the area of health and medical research, and fostering collaboration for better health.

Sir Gustav Nossal is currently Professor Emeritus within the Department of Pathology, The University of Melbourne; a consultant for the World Health Organization and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation; and a Principal of Foursight Associates Pty Ltd.

Nossal was the Director of the Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research Institute from 1965 to 1996, and was formerly Chairman of The Global Foundation Advisory Committee and Deputy Chairman of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation (1998 to 2000).

He was knighted in 1977, made a Companion of the Order of Australia in 1989 and appointed Australian of the Year 2000.

Lifetime Achievement Award: Professor Hugh R Taylor AC For over 35 years, Hugh has devoted himself to ophthalmic research and teaching and to improving lives through the design and delivery of community eye health care programs.

His landmark research and leadership in Australia has defined the agenda for eye research and for the provision of eye care. Working among Indigenous Australians profoundly influenced his career and his choice to work improving vision in the world’s most disadvantaged populations.

Professor Hugh R Taylor AC is honoured for a significant lifetime commitment to supporting and promoting health and medical research.

Lifetime Achievement Award: Professor Philip Sambrook (post-humos) Professor Philip Sambrook was Professor of Rheumatology in the Florence & Cope Department of Rheumatology, Royal North Shore Hospital, having practiced clinically and published significant papers across Australia and internationally.

As the inaugural Medical Director of Osteoporosis Australia Prof Sambrook helped build the organisation from its very inception, as well as co-founding and acting as President of the Asia-Pacific Osteoporosis Foundation. He made an immense contribution to research and public awareness about bone health and osteoporosis in Australia.

NSW Health Leadership and Innovation Award: Will Delaat AM Will Delaat, Independent Chairman of Medicines Australia from 2008 –2012, and former Managing Director of Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD) Australia and Merck’s Regional Director for Australia and New Zealand.

Having further served on numerous boards and committees across the sector, Delaat is recognised for his exceptional leadership and innovation towards making health and medical research a higher national priority.

Great Australian Philanthropy Award: Harold Charles Mitchell AC Harold Charles Mitchell AC, the founder of Mitchell & Partners and Executive Chairman of Aegis Media Pacific, is the winner of the Great Australian Philanthropy Award for the significant philanthropic contributions he has made to health and medical research among many other areas.

Leadership in Corporate Giving: Xstrata Coal The Leadership in Corporate Giving Award recognises outstanding leadership by a corporation in supporting health and medical research. At least one per cent of Xstrata Group’s profits before tax are set aside every year to fund initiatives that benefit the communities in which it operates. In 2011, Xstrata contributed $25 million to local Australian communities through its Corporate Social Involvement programs.