Dear friends, 

National Diabetes Week, 9-15 July, highlighted the need for a conversation to drive change to reduce the impact of diabetes on the community. Our diabetes researchers were invited to contribute to a Lancet journal series on the impact of structural racism and global inequity in diabetes. Their work has highlighted the importance of empowering communities to be involved in sustainable solutions to chronic diseases. I invite you to read more about what the Diabetes across the Lifecourse; Northern Australian Partnership has been achieving. 

We have more examples of our work to support communities in this edition of Healthy Tomorrow, with the work of the Ngawurramangajirri (we care for each other) project on the Tiwi Islands. Menzies staff worked with community members to create the first Tiwi to English phrasebook for mental health and wellbeing in 2019, and that work is continuing to grow and flourish at the direction of the Ngawurramangajirri Elders group. 

Work on youth health projects, including mental health, is being driven by the passion of our next generation. A number of our First Nations future researchers have been recognised as the winners of, or finalists for several awards, and I know you’ll join me in congratulating them as we follow their career development. 

Partnerships are fundamental to Menzies. The Father Frank Flynn Fellowship, in partnership with NT Health, will focus over the next 3 years on building a research program in health informatics. Top End Academic Health Partners (Top End Partners) a partnership with 7 key NT health service, research, education and policy organisations, has been accredited as a Research Translation Centre by the National Health and Medical Research Council, in recognition of its excellence in research translation and collaboration. These partnerships underpin Menzies’ work. You can watch some of our recently rebooted Research Seminars which provide Menzies’ researchers with the opportunity to present our translational research to a wider audience. 

Some Menzies projects that resonate with the wider community include our work on infectious diseases that jump across species from animals to humans, and our ongoing studies on alcohol and other drugs. You can read more about recent projects in this edition of Healthy Tomorrow. 

It’s been a busy few weeks month at Menzies celebrating graduations, engaging in National Reconciliation Week and participating in NAIDOC Week celebrations. There are some images highlighting these events, including the launch of Menzies Art Exhibition on display at our John Mathews Building campus. This exhibition includes artworks which tell the story of Menzies’ research and help to visually translate research knowledge in a culturally appropriate way. Please take the opportunity to view this permanent, evolving display when you next visit us. 

Kind regards,
Alan