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With sleep disorders costing the Australian community $10 billion a year, a new Centre for Sleep Science at The University of Western Australia will address the causes of poor sleep.

The Centre will be opened on Wednesday June 8 by Minister for Science and Innovation, John Day.

Headed by Winthrop Professor Peter Eastwood, the Centre has undergone a $1 million upgrade and boasts three bedrooms equipped with state-of-the-art sleep recording and analysis equipment.  It also contains consulting rooms, a range of training and seminar rooms, and upgraded offices for staff and students.

"We spend a third of our lives asleep," Professor Eastwood said.  "Most of us wake the next day feeling refreshed and rested.  But this is not the case for many individuals who have sleep disorders, poor sleep habits or who do shift work.

"Sleep science research has far-ranging implications for improving individual health and well-being and for optimising shift scheduling, safety and productivity."

What: Opening of UWA's Centre for Sleep Science

When: Wednesday 8 June, 5pm

Where: 10-12 Parkway, Nedlands

Media preview:  Interested media are invited to interview Professor Eastwood, tour the Centre and photograph students in a mock experiment at 11am on Wednesday 8 June.

Media outlets are asked to register their interest in attending this preview by emailing Janine MacDonald .

Media references

Winthrop Professor Peter Eastwood (+61 8) 9346 1706
Janine MacDonald (UWA Public Affairs)  (+61 8)  6488 5563  /  (+61 4) 32 637 716