Hospital Research Foundation Group

Ms HUTCHESSON (Waite) (15:27): I would like to take the opportunity today to congratulate the Hospital Research Foundation Group as it celebrates an incredible 60 years of service to South Australians. What a milestone! This anniversary is not just about the passage of time, it is about recognising six decades of dedication, impact and real change in people's lives. Since its beginning in 1965, the Hospital Research Foundation Group has grown into one of the most important health charities in our state, funding vital research, improving patient care and working side by side with hospitals, clinicians and our communities.

Over the years, the foundation has been behind countless breakthroughs. It has supported more than 60 different areas of medical research and patient care, tackling some of the biggest health challenges of our time—cancer, mental health, women's health, infectious diseases, neurological disorders, cardiovascular disease and more. The reach and impact of this work is extraordinary. Medical research is at the heart of every improvement in health care. Every new treatment, every new model of care, every step towards preventing illness before it takes hold begins with research.

Thanks to the foundation, South Australia has not just been a recipient of advances from elsewhere. We have been a leader, an innovator and a contributor on both the national and global stage. One area where the foundation's commitment is particularly important is endometriosis. As chair of the select committee that spent many months looking into endometriosis and hearing from researchers, I learned that too many women live with this painful debilitating condition, often in silence, with delayed diagnosis and limited treatment options.

The foundation is helping to change that by funding innovative projects that focus on pain management, understanding the underlying mechanisms of chronic pelvic pain and ultimately finding more effective treatments. Dr Jane Chalmers is leading the development of a groundbreaking pain management program that helps women understand the neurobiology of their pain before undergoing a laparoscopy. This pain science education approach not only helps women manage their symptoms but also reduces the anxiety that comes with surgery.

At the same time, researcher Jessica Maddern is investigating how chronic pelvic pain develops in endometriosis by analysing patient samples. Her work aims to uncover the key pain-signalling pathways, with the goal of identifying new treatments that can improve quality of life and address infertility linked to this disease. This research is about more than science. It is about giving hope to women, reducing stigma and ensuring they receive the care and support they deserve.

This is the kind of work that does not just improve outcomes, it empowers people. The foundation's influence is not confined to hospitals and labs—it is out in our communities too. In my own electorate, our Mitcham and Hills wellness sessions are a perfect example. We have been fortunate to have several speakers from the Hospital Research Foundation Group present to our community at these monthly sessions, which give people the chance to learn about their health and wellbeing in a supportive and practical way.

At a recent event, senior exercise physiologist, Laura Johns, shared insights on bone health. Laura works hard, in partnership with the Hospital Research Foundation, to educate and help those in need. Sessions like these help people take charge of their health, reduce risks and stay active and independent for longer.

Last year, we had two fabulous talks on arthritis, presented by Ben Trobbiani and Tom Craig—two more excellent health educators from the Hospital Research Foundation Group. They spoke about tackling common myths and helped attendees understand the different types of arthritis and current recommendations for management and treatment. Can I take this opportunity to thank Laura, Ben and Tom, who were generous with their time, with many questions to answer both at the talk and also afterwards as a follow-up.

These sessions have been really appreciated by my community, where we have different health topics every month. Just recently, last Friday we had over 100 locals in Mitcham attend one of our sessions about gut health. It was pouring with rain and it was just really lovely to see so many come out and be able to learn more about how to look after themselves.

For over 60 years, the foundation has built a remarkable legacy. It has saved lives, advanced knowledge and delivered care and hope to thousands of South Australians. Its ability to keep growing, adapting and innovating is a testament to its leadership, its supporters and the dedicated researchers, clinicians and nurses it partners with. On its 60^th anniversary, I want to wish it a very, very happy birthday, and thank it for all the work that it does in our communities.

Just quickly, I want to wish Belair Primary School and Blackwood High School alumni Matthew Nicks, and all the Crows, all the very best for the game tonight. You are the pride of Waite, you are the pride of South Australia. Go Crows!