Pitch Perfect! Illuminate PitchFest 2023

What is so uniquely special about our supporter community at Telethon Kids is our shared commitment, dedication and passion for child health research.

This was made evident at our recent Illuminate PitchFest event, held on Wednesday 15 February, where $150,000 was awarded to six early to mid-career researchers for their innovative research projects.

Ten researchers from different areas took to the stage with a carefully crafted presentation and three-minute pitch, in efforts to spark the interest of 80 guests and a judging panel consisting of Board Chair Hon Julie Bishop, the Giorgetta family, host Professor Jane Pillow and Telethon Kids staff representing Research Development.

Two of the awards were pledged by Board Chair Hon Julie Bishop and The Giorgetta Charity Fund, with another two collectively supported by various donors to create two People’s Choice Awards – voted on the night.

Inspired and moved by the energy in the room on the night, some of our generous guests shocked everyone by unexpectedly supporting an additional two awards!

Congratulations to all finalists and the 2023 award winners:

• Illuminate Award supported by Hon Julie Bishop – Dr Janessa Pickering
• Illuminate Award supported by The Giorgetta Charity Fund – Dr Annabel Short
• Illuminate Award supported by Helping Little Hands – Dr Vincent Mancini
• Illuminate Award People’s Choice – Dr Aveni Haynes
• Illuminate Award People’s Choice – Dr Rachael Zemek
• Illuminate Award People’s Choice – Dr Ruth Thornton

To read more about each of the ten finalists and their chosen research projects, visit this link.

The inaugural Illuminate PitchFest event was an outstanding success, all thanks to the generosity of our supporter community ensuring we continue to support the best and brightest researchers.

If you’re interested to learn more about Illuminate or how you can support an award, please contact Patrice Maher on +61 8 6319 1102 or via email.