Professor Fiona Stanley said Annette, who is a senior woman of the Wongutha Tribe of the Eastern Goldfields, has made a significant contribution to the health of Aboriginal children in the region.

"Annette is a valued member of the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research and much of our research in the Goldfields region depends on the important cultural link Annette provides between the research team and members of her community," said Professor Stanley.

Annette was a key member of the Institute's Otitis Media project, which is based in Kalgoorlie. As a senior Aboriginal woman, her standing in the community and the respect that the community has for her, was extended to the study team allowing the project to succeed.

"Annette is an excellent role model for Aboriginal people - she is a trained childhood education worker, a trained Aboriginal health worker and has been involved in many important health initiatives including the development of Ngunytju Tjitji Pirni Aboriginal Corporation," said Professor Stanley.

As part of the Otitis Media project team, Annette has presented some of the findings of the study locally, nationally and internationally, including in Amsterdam.

She is currently involved in writing up the findings and ensuring they are culturally appropriate and acceptable to the Goldfields Aboriginal community.

The Fiona Stanley Medal was established in 1999 to acknowledge those who have made an outstanding commitment to health and medical research. Previous winners include Dr Michael Wooldridge, Mr Peter Wills AM, Telethon, Mr Harvey Coates AO, Mr Bruce Langoulant, Mr Geoff Cattach, Mr Kevin Campbell AM and Mr Michael Chaney AO.

The medal will be presented to Ms Stokes today in Kalgoorlie.

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Contact: Tammy Gibbs
61-294-897-963
Research Australia
28-Oct-2005