Local Ipswich organisations invest in long term study for the future

Bendigo Bank has joined a number of other local organisations providing financial support for The Ipswich Study, an initiative from the Healthy Communities Research Centre, based at The University of Queensland’s Ipswich Campus.

The fundraising campaign, launched in 2010, has attracted donations from a range of local organisations such as the Ipswich Hospital Foundation, Ipswich City Council and Ipswich Physiotherapy Centre.

Initial development work for the study was funded by The University of Queensland.

The Ipswich Study is a long-term health research program that will unravel the complexities between neighbourhoods, residents and health by collecting information from volunteer families at regular intervals over 10 years and potentially beyond.

For the first time, health research will provide a practical understanding of how people, places and their health are adapting to the economic, social, environmental and technological changes of this century.

The Ipswich Study will look at a city that is undergoing rapid change and enormous growth as the population doubles over the next twenty years.

It provides us with a unique place at a unique time to see how old and new parts of the city change and develop to support our health.

Michael List, Bendigo Bank Regional Manager for Southwest Queensland said that as one of the City’s largest employers, Bendigo Bank saw a natural alignment between their commitment to the City of Ipswich and the goals of The Ipswich Study.

“Bendigo Bank is proud to be able to contribute to The Ipswich Study as its goals align closely with those of our bank, with the emphasis on improving the communities of which it is a part of,” he said.

Healthy Communities Research Centre Director Professor Robert Bush said that the success of The Ipswich Study was dependent on partnerships with organisations such as Bendigo Bank.

“We’re seeking partnerships with organisations who operate within the Ipswich community and are concerned with the impact they are having on the communities in which they operate," Professor Bush said.

"A successful community is a community that knows how it’s going."

More information regarding the study can be found at The Ipswich Study website.

Media: Professor Robert Bush, Healthy Communities Research Centre (3381 1083 or r.bush@uq.edu.au) or Stacey Vogel, Healthy Communities Research Centre (0411 245 998 or s.vogel@uq.edu.au)