• The official launch of the Children’s Voices Centre is at 10.30am on Wednesday 1 October at Charles Sturt University in Bathurst and online

Community members, students, staff and professionals are invited to join special guests at the formal opening of the innovative new Charles Sturt University Children’s Voices Centre (CVC) in Bathurst on Wednesday 1 October.

Director of the Centre, Distinguished Professor Sharynne McLeod, said the Children’s Voices Centre is a pioneering hub for transformative interdisciplinary research with, for and about children.

“The CVC has been established with the mission of amplifying all children’s voices, creating space for children’s perspectives to be heard, respected and acted upon,” she said.

“The Centre has more than 60 affiliated researchers so it can foster interdisciplinary collaboration, mentoring and innovation to shape a better world for children.

“The team of interdisciplinary Charles Sturt University researchers are experts in education, nursing, allied health (including speech-language pathology, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, psychology, social work, paramedicine), communications, media, data science and more.

“We invite community members and colleagues to join us as we begin a future where children’s voices lead the way.”

CVC Associate Director (Workforce and Policy) Associate Professor Tamara Cumming said the Centre will conduct transformative research by using innovative methods, theories and partnerships with children and their families, communities, policymakers and professionals.

“We will co-produce, translate and implement research, generating evidence-based practice and practice-based evidence,” Professor Cumming said.

The CVC supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the Centre will present its research on ‘Children Draw Health’ to the World Health Organization Western Pacific Region meeting in Fiji in October.

The launch of the CVC is at 10.30am on Wednesday 1 October at The Treehouse, building 1451, Research Station Drive (Carpark 23), Charles Sturt University, Bathurst, and online. There will be children’s activities at the live event.

Special guests include the Australian Children’s Laureate Ms Sally Rippin who will be reading her new book, The World We Can Build, with her co-authors, Eliza Hull and Daniel Gray-Barnett.

Attending dignitaries include Charles Sturt Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Neena Mitter, Pro Vice-Chancellor (First Nations) Professor Tony Driese, children Finbar, Zachary and Chloe, as well as Member for Calare Mr Andrew Gee, MP, Bathurst Mayor Councillor Robert Taylor and Deputy Mayor Councillor Ben Fry.

Learn more about studying a research higher degree (PhD) at Charles Sturt.