The organising committee consisted of Dr Michael Fietz (Chairman), Dr Edna Bates, Dr David Bates, Greg Hall, Clare Kiesewetter and Dr Doug Brooks.

The Young Investigator Award is aimed at recognising and promoting the outstanding research performed by young investigators at the Women's and Children's Hospital, as well as providing an opportunity for young researchers to present their research in a way that is readily understood by the general population. In addition, the Award provides an ideal forum for promoting media interest in the excellent and varied research being carried out at the Women's and Children's Hospital and in the high quality investigators performing this research.

The finalists were asked to present their work at the Award evening on Tuesday March 19, 2002 with the winner of the Award receiving a purse of $1,000, and prizes of $500 going to each of the two runners-up.

AIMS

• To recognise the contribution made by young researchers to the research effort of the WCH.
• To encourage young researchers to present their research in a public forum in a way that is understandable by lay people.
• To promote media interest in the Young Investigator of the Year and his/her research work.
• To expose the media to the excellent and varied research being done at WCH by young investigators.

THE AWARD

• A purse of $1,000 to the winner and prizes of $500 to the second and third place getters.
• The winner will be announced to the hospital community by e-mail and in hospital publications.
• The community will learn of the winner and his/her research through the hospital's on-hold telephone message system.
• The Young Investigator of the Year will receive prominent cover in the WCH Annual Research report.
• The media will be invited to interview the Young Investigator of the Year.