NEXT SPARK AWARD

The award is designed to support early career researchers in health and medical sciences.  This initiative aims to bring bright ideas to life that benefit children and young people born prematurely and their families.

Expressions of interest open 4/8/25 and close 22/9/25 with finalists receiving individual mentoring in October to perfect their Pitch.  You are all invited to the live Pitch event which will take place at Mounts Bay Sailing Club on November 16.  Make a pledge to support the award and purchase your tickets for the pitch on the ‘Tickets’ link below.  Everyone in attendance will vote and the winner will take home the prize and most importantly have some resources to turn their Next Spark idea into an epic bonfire.

Huge thanks to Graham Hall and Clare Berry who have generously provided their time and expertise to help us bring the Next Spark Award to life.

📆 Sunday, 16 November 2025

🕰️ 4pm - 6pm

🎟️ One beverage on arrival and light refreshments

📍 Mounts Bay Sailing Club, Australia II Drive, Crawley *The function room is only accessible via stairs*

Exclusively Expressing?

DO YOU EXCLUSIVELY PUMP YOUR MILK TO FEED YOUR BABY?

Please consider joining this research study which involves a 10-15 minute survey. https://redcap.link/exclusivelypump

*Must currently or previously have exclusively pumped for a baby who is under 24 months of age.

For further info please contact Dr Zoya Gridneva via email: zoya.gridneva@uwa.edu.au

The Arrow trial

Is your child 1-5?

Have they been hospitalised because of wheezing?

The Arrow Trial might interest you.

Want to know more? Contact the trial team:
0448 515 758
arrowtrial@deakin.edu.au 

Fantastic resources for families

We’ve been working with our friends at The Kids to bring these fantastic resources to life. Designed to put critical information about lung health into the hands of parents of children born prematurely, or adults who were born preterm themselves. There are two great fact sheets along with a helpful worksheet to note down important information you can take along to any appointments with health care professionals. Resources are free and available to check out on The Kids website.

World Prematurity Day Community Picnic

With World Prematurity Day (17 November) falling on a Sunday this year we are super excited to once again be having a Community Picnic to celebrate!

We welcome everyone to join us from 10 am to 1pm at Holyrood Pavilion and Park, Cambridge Street, West Leederville. We are partnering with The Kids for this event so there will be opportunities to hear the latest research impacting people born prematurely, we will also have face painting, a petting zoo and other family friendly activities. BYO picnic, suncream and picnic blanket.

This is a FREE community event however registration is encouraged. Those who register will go in the running for some amazing door prizes. To win you will need to be present when the door prize is drawn.