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SPHPM Headlines

	Congratulations Michael! Prof Michael Abramson was recognised with a Community Service Award from the Asthma Foundation Victoria, in recognition of his significant contribution to the understanding of asthma through research and support. The award was presented to Michael by Lady Anna Cowen, wife of the late Rt. Hon. Sir Zelman Cowen, at the Asthma Foundation Victoria’s 50th Anniversary Reception on 9th May, 2013. Michael was also presented with a National award and a plaque in recognition of his inspirational national leadership in developing and implementing the Asthma Australia National Research Program. This award was presented to Michael by The Hon. David Davis, MP, Victorian Minister for Health and Ageing. It was a fitting acknowledgement of Michael’s commitment to asthma research, which has made a real difference to the lives of people with this condition.
	Prof Awang Bulgiba and Prof Danny Wong visit SPHPM The Deputy Vice-Chancellor/Deputy President of Research Innovation Prof Awang Bulgiba and Prof Danny Wong, Director of the Global Planning and Strategy Centre from the University of Malaya visited the School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine on the 9th of May 2013. They met with senior staff members from the School namely: Prof Michael Abramson, Prof Brian Oldenburg, Prof Ajay Mahal, A/Prof Deborah Glass, A/Prof Peter Smith and Dr Jay Illesinghe. The visit focused on developing collaborations between the University of Malaya and the SPHPM, focusing in the areas of non-communicable disease, health economics, worker’s compensation and registries.
	Dr Nilaweera visits the Centre Against Sexual Assault (CASA) House Dr Irosha Nilaweera, a medical graduate from Sri Lanka, is completing the international traineeship for her postgraduate training in community medicine through an occupational training programme at the Jean Hailes Research Unit (JHRU) supervised by Prof Jane Fisher. Dr Nilaweera has a specific interest in public health approaches, including health promotion, prevention and early interventions for women’s health conditions. She is seeking through the traineeship to strengthen in particular her capabilities in research and research translation in relation to women’s health as well as learning about Australian clinical practices and health policies. As part of her training Dr Nilaweera visited in the Centre Against Sexual Assault (CASA) House on the 2^nd of May to acquire knowledge and skills on managing psycho-social issues among women. Dr Nilaweera said ‘The visit gave me an opportunity to learn about the services available for sexual victims such as 24 hour crisis care service, counselling, follow up support, advocacy service and public involvement in campaigns.’
	Congratulations Gavin! Gavin Smith (PETG PhD scholar) has had a very successful and busy week having been appointed associate editor of the Australasia Journal of Paramedicine and unit coordinator of 'Sociology in Paramedicine' at Victoria University and having gained membership of the Royal Society of Victoria. Congratulations Gavin!
	Prof John McNeil at the GAP/ACHR Conference Prof John McNeil chaired a session at the GAP/ACHR Conference on Productive Aging held in the Legislative Assembly Chamber of the NSW Parliament House on Friday (17th May). The conference explored means and barriers for keeping older individuals gainfully employed. The issue of retraining older blue collar workers no longer able to manage physically demanding occupations received special attention. The conference was of special significance for DEPM because of the information on various aspects of aging being collected as part of the ASPREE study. Other attendees included Professors Bruce Armstrong (University of Sydney) and Hal Kendig (ANU). John, who chaired his session from the speaker’s chair, described it as most uncomfortable and provided a good explanation why parliamentary sessions were generally fairly brief.
	Peter Smith in Japan Peter Smith was recently in Japan presenting at the 6th International Conference on the Work Environment and Cardiovascular Disease (March 28th to March 30th). He was also a member of the Scientific Committee for the conference, and was invited to a traditional Japanese dinner the night before the conference with other Scientific Committee members and the conference keynote speakers.
	Robin and John present at the Inaugural Victorian Integrated Cancer Services Conference A/Prof Robin Bell and Prof John McNeil were speakers at the Inaugural Victorian Integrated Cancer Services Conference held in Melbourne on 13-14th May. Robin’s presentation was entitled “Lymphoedema; experience of a cohort of women with breast cancer followed for 4 years after diagnosis” John presented in a session entitled “Cancer data: the clinical & health system perspective”. The integrated cancer services in Victoria are a network of health providers and consumers providing a multidisciplinary approach to the care of patients with cancer. The conference was attended by approximately 200 participants from cancer services throughout Victoria.