CONCEPT OF THE FUND   

  The concept of the Fund is that the capital of the Fund will be held as a permanent investment and the income earned will be allocated to research projects.

 It is anticipated that major projects may be funded by grants over several years to ensure continuity.

 Following discussions with a key figure in "Cot Death" research at the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, it was decided that after initial and major grants to "Cot Death" projects, the Fund would support a wider concept of health research. There are many aspects of community health that urgently require research and the Rotary Fund was in a position to perform a valuable service to the community by sponsoring research into otherwise neglected areas.

 Likewise "Health", as envisaged in the Australian Rotary Health Research Fund, should encompass a wider vision and include all aspects of community health. Our intentions are to be a catalyst for projects that will improve the quality of life for those least able to assist themselves.

 It is also hoped that Rotary Research projects will contain a strong element of applied research. Thus, it should be possible to demonstrate practical strategies for the enhancement of community health in a way that individual Rotary Clubs may apply in their own communities. The circle will then be complete - donations from Rotary Clubs funding research projects, the benefit of which can be applied back in the community that provided the initial gifts.

Why Support Medical Research?

Medical Research is acknowledgment of modern society's commitment to improved quality of life for future generations.

Such research seeks to cure or prevent ill health through an understanding of basic disease process and the risk factors that lead to disease. Most of the advances of modern medicine have improved or saved countless lives. The consequent economic savings to society have been of enormous proportions.

Our Australian scientists have made some outstanding contributions to medical research and they also play a crucial role in appraising and transferring new technology from overseas, which benefits all Australians.

With such fine credentials, why is it then that our medical researchers, except in some very specialised areas, constantly appeal for financial support?

There are many reasons, but primarily, medical research in our country, is dependent on either government or private funding and is therefore subject to changes in political policy and the economic climate.

Believing that worthwhile research should not be funded on an ad hoc, stop-go basis, concerned Rotarians put forward the concept of a permanent Rotary '"Fund" to offer research grants on a reliable basis. The Australian Rotary Health Research Fund was established to make continuing worthwhile contributions to community health in Australia.

Since its inception significant positive findings have been reported that will benefit current and future generations. This research success vindicates past funding by Rotarians and Rotary clubs and provides inspiration for future support of medical research via the Australian Rotary Health Research Fund.

ROTARY HEALTH RESEARCH IS AUSTRALIA'S TRULY NATIONAL COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECT BY AUSTRALIANS FOR AUSTRALIANS