ABORIGINAL COLLABORATIVE COUNCIL

ADVISING ON RESEARCH AND EVALUATION

The Aboriginal Collaborative Council Advising on Research and Evaluation (ACCARE) was formed in 2008 to provide support and direction to Aboriginal research conducted through the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research. ACCARE is a committee of the Telethon Institute Board advising on Aboriginal research.

The Council comprises a group of professional, passionate people committed to ensuring Aboriginal people and the wider Aboriginal community benefit from the research conducted through the Telethon Institute. 

The goal and over-arching principles for the work of the Council is to ensure the facilitation, translation and application of research findings into policy and practice to improve health and wellbeing outcomes for Aboriginal families.

ACCARE provides:

• A forum for state-wide representation and consultation and dissemination of information as a result of Aboriginal Research conducted by the Telethon Institute;
• A focal point for advocacy for Aboriginal issues deriving from research and researchers at the Telethon Institute;
• Advice on and support effective communication, dissemination of information on Aboriginal research and research findings relevant to policy and service delivery for Aboriginal children and families/communities.
• Actively identify, support and foster new research opportunities for Aboriginal research and Aboriginal researchers;
• Advice to the Telethon Institute on Aboriginal research priorities;
• Assistance in maintaining existing collaborations with local and regional committees and organisations;
• New opportunities for partnering with key external organisations or networks.

Membership of the Council is well represented across Western Australia by a strong contingent of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people through their involvement in the health sector and as representatives of the Aboriginal community.  ACCARE is chaired by Mrs Leslie-Ann Conway, Executive Manager, Ngunytju Tjitji Pirni, Kalgoorlie.  Professor Rhonda Marriott is the Past Chair.  Professor Marriott is currently undertaking a number of roles: Winthrop Research Professor,  Centre Child Health Research, University of Western Australia.  Project Lead, ARC Discovery Indigenous Triple PMH PCS WRAP Research Project, UWA Centre Child Health Research.  Emerita Professor,  Kulbardi Aboriginal Centre
Murdoch University and Honorary Research Fellow, Telethon Institute for Child Health Research.  Chief Investigator on NHMRC Centre for Research Excellence in Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing, Telethon Institute for Child Health Research.  In 2009 Professor Rhonda Marriott was appointed a Director of the Telethon Institute Board.  Glenn Pearson, Manager, Aboriginal Health Research, Telethon Institute for Child Health Research is also a member of the Council.

The Council has worked hard since its inception to identify ways in which research undertaken through the Telethon Institute can make the most difference for Aboriginal children and their families.
 
The Telethon Institute and its Board strongly support ACCARE and recognise that Council's broad community representation, expertise and involvement will ensure that the research conducted through the Telethon Institute will meet Aboriginal research priorities and ensure that Aboriginal people are involved in all phases of research conducted through the Telethon Institute.