On Friday night, the St George & Sutherland Medical Research Foundation (SSMRF) hosted its 2025 Annual Dinner, an evening filled with inspiration, generosity, laughter and community spirit.
We were honoured to welcome keynote speaker Professor Gordon Parker AO, alongside Alex and Jane Dudley, who joined us for an insightful and heartfelt conversation on mental health, resilience and the power of shared stories. Our sincere thanks to MC Valerie Khoo, whose warmth and grace guided the night beautifully.
A highlight of the evening was celebrating our latest SSMRF Research Grant Recipients:
- Dr Joel Poder – awarded $49,500 (funded by Southern Cancer Care) to explore the use of AI in speeding up precision radiation therapy for brain cancer patients. Watch a video on Joel’s research on the SCC website.
- Dr Xiaotao Jiang – awarded $59,994 through the inaugural Giuseppe Ferlaino Research Grant to investigate the role of the gut microbiome in dementia.
The evening sparkled with sensational live music, including elegant performances by Dr Eunice Cheng and rising jazz star Liz Player, bringing emotion and energy to the room.
The generosity of our community truly shone through, with spirited support from St George Hospital’s Renal and Gastroenterology departments, Ramsgate RSL Club and so many individuals. Your donations and raffle ticket enthusiasm made a real impact!
We extend heartfelt thanks to:
- Club Central Hurstville, SSMRF Major Sponsor and our valued event sponsor
- St. George Leagues Club, SSMRF Premium Partner
- Community Bank Darling Square, Partner, for donating raffle prizes and helping provide incredible entertainment
Thank you to everyone who joined us for a night of celebration, connection and hope. Your support powers life-changing medical research right here in Southern Sydney.
📸 Browse our full event photo gallery!
If you’d like to support future medical research, you can make a one-off or recurring donation or consider leaving a gift in your will to help create a lasting impact.
