We were delighted when the Hon Stephen Dawson, WA Minister for Emergency Services; Innovation and ICT; Medical Research and Volunteering accepted our invitation to visit NCARD. We then, however, had to patiently wait a number of months before COVID restrictions allowed us to safely host visitors.

Joining the Minister was his Senior Policy Advisor, Sharon Webb; and the local member for Nedlands, Dr Katrina Stratton, who visited us at NCARD last year, and was also a welcome participant at Kindness In Science panels and events.

Leading the visit was Professor Anna Nowak, Director of NCARD, and this year Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research) for UWA. Acting Director Professor Richard Lake also met with the guests, and Professor Geoff Stewart, Director of the Institute for Respiratory Health,  took the opportunity to meet again with the Minister and Dr Stratton.

The group spoke about new possibilities, including practical changes to policy and practice, to streamline and support medical research. NCARD looks forward to continuing engagement with both the Minister and Dr Stratton. We feel privileged to be a part of the vibrant medical research community in Western Australia.

Rather than a posed group photo, attached is a working shot of the meeting.