Curtin’s Collaboration for Evidence, Research and Impact in Public Health (CERIPH) recently hosted a celebratory breakfast, welcoming community partners, academics and government representatives to highlight its impact and future direction in public health.

The event, held in the heart of Curtin’s School of Population Health, brought together more than 80 guests, including special attendees Emily Hamilton MLA, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Preventative Health, and Dr Stacey Waters from the Department of Health, representing Minister Stephen Dawson MLA.

CERIPH Director Professor Jonine Jancey opened the morning by acknowledging CERIPH’s evolution from the WA Centre for Health Promotion Research – the first of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere in 1986 – into a dynamic, multidisciplinary research hub that leads more than 30 active public health projects.

Attendees heard from Ms Hamilton, who outlined the significance of the newly established Preventative Health portfolio – a national first – and its importance for evidence-based public health action. A panel discussion followed, exploring the critical role of partnership in achieving sustainable health outcomes, moderated by CERIPH Deputy Director Dr Roanna Lobo and featuring representatives from Consumers of Mental Health WA, Peer Based Harm Reduction WA and the Australian Council on Smoking and Health.

A highlight of the morning was the inaugural CERIPH Awards, which recognised two long-standing organisational partners and were presented by Faculty of Health Sciences Dean of Research Professor Gavin Pereira:

• The 2025 CERIPH Values in Action Award was presented to the Royal Life Saving Society WA for their enduring and innovative partnership in drowning prevention and aquatic safety. Associate Professor Justine Leavy acknowledged their commitment to evidence-informed practice and co-investment in student research, noting “this is a collaboration that not only saves lives but builds future public health leaders.”
• The 2025 CERIPH Commitment to Collaboration Award was awarded to the Sexual Health and Blood-borne Virus Program (WA Department of Health). Dr Jacqui Hendriks highlighted the program’s two decades of partnership with CERIPH, including foundational support for the SiREN, RSE and CoPAHM projects. “This partnership exemplifies how values-aligned collaboration can shape policy, strengthen workforce capacity, and deliver measurable outcomes.”

The event concluded with remarks from Associate Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research Professor Gretchen Benedix, who emphasised CERIPH’s alignment with Curtin’s strategic research goals, and its role in tackling complex social and health challenges through interdisciplinary collaboration. The breakfast served as a celebration of what can be achieved through long-term, ethical and inclusive partnerships in public health. Professor Jancey closed the event with an invitation to continue building on these successes.

Thank you to everyone involved in the success of this event.