Celebrating 25 Years of Regional NRM
The 9th National Natural Resource Management Knowledge Conference, held September 8–12 in Cairns, marked a significant milestone, 25 years since Australia adopted the regional natural&...
The newly established Margaret Roderick Centre for Mental Health Research (MRCMHR) will deliver up to about $1 million annually in funding to researchers, partner organisations and Higher Degree by Research (HDR) students. Established through a $34 million bequest from Australian literary icons Colin and Margaret Roderick, the centre's focus on delivering effective mental health solutions to regional communities, is the first of its kind and has the potential to be a game-changer when it comes to understanding how to treat mental health in regional and remote areas.
The MRCMHR is an exciting trans-disciplinary hub that will undertake research and provide new insights into mental health
in our communities across a broad range of perspectives including diagnosis, management, policy and regulation.
The centre's head, Professor Zoltan Sarnyai said “This is an unparalleled opportunity to put us (JCU) on the map in terms of mental health research in Australia and internationally.”
“Even outside of northern Queensland, there are a lot of other rural communities in Australia and worldwide that are under-served, especially in mental health, so whatever we do here and learn here will be applicable to them.”
The centre currently has four members from The Cairns Institute, including Jen McHugh who leads James Cook University's (JCU) involvement in the Creating Futures Initiatives which focuses on supporting Mental Health practitioners in the Pacific.
The centre has hosted two community event and a symposium:
1. MRCMHR x St James Cathedral Community Mental Health Forum in Townsville on October 15th, and
2. Community Talk at Cowboys HQ in Townsville on October 17th.
3. The MRCMHR Symposium was hosted for centre Members, JCU and external researchers, and HDR students. Professor Zoltan Sarnyai led the first lecture,a nd Professor Mostafa Rahimi Azghadi led the second lecture.
To become a member of the MRCMHR, scan the QR code and complete the application form.
November 2025