Named Australian of
the Year in 2003, Professor Fiona Stanley is a vocal advocate for
the needs of children and their families.
Professor Stanley was the founding Director of the Telethon
Institute for Child Health Research, established in Perth in 1990.
When she retired from the position in December 2011, the Institute
had grown to more than 500 staff and students and forged an
international reputation for its translational research in a range
of areas.
On her retirement, Professor Stanley graciously accepted an
invitation from the Board to take on the position of Patron, where
she continues to advocate for the Institute, research and
families.
Professor Stanley remains a Chief Investigator on a number of
research grants at the Telethon Institute and is a valued mentor to
many. She also continues her strong association with the University
of Western Australia as a Vice Chancellor's Distinguished
Professorial Fellow in the School of Paediatrics and Child
Health.
Born in Sydney in 1946, she moved to Perth with her family in
1956. She studied medicine at the University of Western Australia
and practised in hospitals for two years before going to the United
Kingdom and USA for further training in epidemiology (the science
of describing and explaining the occurrence of disease in
populations), biostatistics and public health.
In 2004, Professor Stanley was honoured as a "National Living
Treasure" by the National Trust. She is the UNICEF Australia
Ambassador for Early Childhood Development.
Professor Stanley has more than 300 published papers in scientific
journals and is a member of the Prime Minister's Science,
Engineering and Innovation Council. She has served on the Federal
Government's Social Inclusion Board and the WA State Government's
Indigenous Implementation Board. She has given many presentations,
both nationally and internationally, on the socio-economic
determinants of child health.
In 2012, Professor Stanley will remain committed to a number of
important roles, including: Distinguished Research Professor at the
School of Paediatrics and Child Health, UWA; Vice Chancellor's
Fellow, University of Melbourne; member of the ABC Board; and Chair
of the newly-formed Alcohol Advertising Review Board.
Professor Stanley is married to Professor Geoffrey Shellam. They
have two daughters and three grandchildren.
