News

Translation Forum 2025

On 26th August the TROPHI Translation Forum was full of energy as researchers, GPs and partners came together to share ideas, build collaborations and inspire one another.

The evening covered translational research innovations supported by TROPHI in the local community. This included how research is shaping hospital-based education to promote general practice pathways, and an innovative program to improve the physical health of mental health consumers. Attendees enjoyed a practical session which gave first hand insight into the importance of working together and considering diverse community and stakeholder needs in implementing high quality relevant translational research. A highlight of the forum was the panel focussed on ‘Building a culture of research translation in our region’. We were so pleased to receive feedback that many participants left with renewed enthusiasm for their work and a clear sense of belonging to a growing and supportive research community.

An interactive panel highlighted stories of resilience and achievement, leaving many participants feeling uplifted and connected to a strong and supportive research community.

A wonderful example of bringing our RACGP Research Strategy to life  to make a difference to the health and the wellbeing of our community!

2024/25 TROPHI Region Needs Update

Caroline Filiex, a fourth year BSc/BA student, worked on updating the TROPHI regional needs analysis by examining new documents from LGAs, state government, and health organisations, and through incorporating feedback from TROPHI consumer advisors.

The update outlines the most urgent health and wellbeing priorities across the Eastern Metropolitan Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Maroondah, Knox, and Yarra Ranges. Grounded in local evidence and shaped by strong consumer voice, the update identifies critical gaps that continue to affect community wellbeing.

Residents consistently reported challenges with long wait times for mental health support, poor access to affordable and timely neurodevelopmental assessments, and a system that remains reactive rather than preventative. Transport remains a key barrier, especially for carers, older adults, and young people in semi-rural areas. Families and carers are also calling for stronger support systems, particularly those navigating the NDIS. There is a clear push for care models that are trauma-informed, person-centred, culturally safe, and accessible close to home. While councils are actively responding to local needs through planning and strategy, broader structural reform is needed. The report recommends embedding lived experience at all levels of service design, improving referral systems, building a more connected and culturally responsive workforce, and scaling up outreach-based models of care. Coordinated, place-based action is essential to shift systems toward early intervention, equity, and prevention.

Dr Anita Muñoz on TROPHI: Empowering GP Researchers to Shape the Future

Consumer representatives

On Monday 24th February we welcomed three consumer representatives into the TROPHI stakeholder group. The representatives have a wide range of experience in primary healthcare and community services. Dr Taryn Elliott is pictured with the TROPHI consumer representatives—John Asgari, Heidi Lee and Jean de Waard—with Ms Anja Scarfe and Dr Elizabeth Kennedy. For a collaboration like TROPHI getting input from consumer representatives can ensure the project meets genuine community needs.

GP24 poster

Excitingly a TROPHI poster was presented at GP24 conference this month! Pictured here with Dr Taryn Elliott, the RACGP TROPHI Lead.

Translation forum held in Ringwood 

TROPHI held a Translation Forum on the evening of 24^th July in Ringwood. A total of 40 people attended, which included representatives from: 

• University of Melbourne

• Monash University 

• Eastern Melbourne PHN

• Eastern Health 

• Monash Partners  

• Inspiro Health – Lilydale 

• Rehable Mobile Physiotherapy, Yarra Ranges 

• GPs from the 3 TROPHI regions – Knox, Maroondah and Yarra Ranges 

• Maroondah Council – Department of Community Development 

• RACGP 

• Medical Clinics in the 3 TROPHI regions 

• Recipients of TROPHI bursaries 

• Consumers in the regions 

The aim of the forum was to introduce TROPHI and describe how research can make a difference to practices and communities by bringing evidence to life. The Research Translation fellow presented their projects. 

Prof Grant Russell and Prof Lena Sanci facilitated discussions around first steps towards research and education in primary care / identifying barriers that need to be overcome and how to identify key resources to help commence a research career.

The team who supported the delivery of the forum: Dr Elizabeth Kennedy, Ms Sue Byrne, Dr Taryn Elliott (above), Ms Anja Scarfe, Ms Tania Lim, Dr Cath Kaylor-Hughes, Prof Grant Russell and Prof Lena Sanci

TROPHI newsletter, bringing research to life

The TROPHI collaboration releases the TROPHI newsletter quarterly to keep GPs, primary care workers, and researchers in the outer eastern Melbourne region across all the latest activities and opportunities. To join the mailing list, send an email to trophi@racgp.org.au

April 2025

December 2024

September 2024

June 2024

March 2024

MSc/PhD bursaries now open

TROPHI mentor program opens second intake

The TROPHI mentor program is a mentoring program for GPs, general practice staff, and primary health workers in the outer Eastern Melbourne regions of Knox, Maroondah, and Yarra Ranges to build connections with experienced mentors and grow their research translations skills.

Click here for mentors

Click here for mentees

Seed funding for practice-based pilots – applications open

$10,000 funding for GPs, general practice staff, or primary health workers who are interested in completing a supported, practice-based research project. Intended to support the conduct of practice-based research which addresses a research question aligned with a regional need. The project should focus on bringing research into practice. For funding recipients, support will be provided from respective Departments of General Practice, and TROPHI’s affiliated PBRNs.

Seed funding application form