News Archive

Business leader Mr John Langoulant was tonight appointed Chairman of the Board of the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research.

His appointment follows Mr Kevin Campbell's decision to step down as Chairman after fourteen years in the position.

Institute Director Professor Stanley presented Mr Campbell with Life Membership of the Institute in acknowledgment of his outstanding contribution to the organisation.

"Kevin has shown great leadership in taking us from a small organisation with big ambitions to where we are today as one of Australia's largest and most successful research Institutes," Professor Stanley said.

"He worked extremely hard to help us secure funding to build a cutting-edge research facility and has always shown great enthusiasm for the work that we do."

Professor Stanley welcomed Mr Langoulant as Chairman after three years service on the Institute Board.

"John has brought an extraordinary amount of experience to our Institute since he joined the board in 2005 and we're very pleased that he has agreed to take on the position of Chairman," she said.

"A recent international scientific review found that many of our challenges are a result of our success and the board will be concerned with securing funding to ensure we both attract and retain world-class scientists, that we can accommodate our high level of growth and continue to ensure we maintain the highest scientific standards."

Professor Stanley also acknowledged the long term contribution of Mr Graeme Mitchell, Principal of Foursight, who retired from the board after eight years of service.

The board was boosted by the appointment of Professor Anne Kelso from Melbourne.  Professor Kelso is the Director of the World Health Organisation Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza and an internationally respected immunologist.

The Telethon Institute for Child Health Research was founded in 1990 and has grown to more than 450 staff and students.  Under the leadership of its founding Director, Professor Fiona Stanley, it has pioneered a multidisciplinary approach to the major issues affecting child health and well-being.  It is an independent, not-for-profit, organisation with affiliations to all WA universities.

Media references

Liz Chester (Media Relations Manager)  (+61 4) 09 988 530
(Telethon Institute for Child Health Research)

Tammy Gibbs (Public Relations)  (+61 8)  9489 7963
(Telethon Institute for Child Health Research)

Janine MacDonald (UWA Public Affairs)  (+61 8)  6488 5563  /  (+61 4) 32 637 716