Orygen’s role as a global leader in revolutionising youth mental health has been recognised at the 2024 Melbourne Awards.
Orygen won the Knowledge and Innovation award at the City of Melbourne's annual gala on Saturday night.
Now in its 22nd year, the Melbourne Awards celebrate organisations, people and programs in eight key areas, including Aboriginal Melbourne, LGBTIQA+, Access and Inclusion, City Design and Sustainability.
The Knowledge and Innovation category recognises organisations making significant contributions to Melbourne’s internationally renowned knowledge sector, showcasing innovative approaches and progressive ideas.
Orygen was recognised for its international advocacy and “integrating cutting-edge research, policy and education with evidence-based clinical care”.
Among the other finalists was Cytopia Research, which has developed the drug momelotinib for the treatment of the rare bone cancer myelofibrosis, and the Design Health Collab at Monash University, which has developed new head CT technology to aid in faster stroke diagnosis.
Executive Director of Orygen, Professor Patrick McGorry, who accepted the award on behalf of Orygen with Director of Employment and Education Partnerships, Gina Chinnery (both pictured above with Melbourne Lord Mayor Nick Reece) said it was an honour to be a finalist alongside such talented local organisations.
“It's wonderful to see this world-leading research and health innovation coming out of Melbourne,” Professor McGorry said.
“We're proud to be part of the city's long history of excellence in health and medical research and knowledge translation, and to be leading the revolution in youth mental health from our home in Parkville.
“Over the last 30 years we’ve grown from a small team to now have the largest concentration of youth mental health researchers, clinicians and educators in the world, all working to integrate cutting-edge research, policy and education with evidence-based clinical care.”
Professor McGorry said that although the field of youth mental health grew out of work being done in Melbourne, many people were unaware that the ‘Orygen story’ began on their doorstep.
“It’s been a remarkable journey to get to this point, and we're thrilled to be recognised – along with Cytopia and the Monash Design Collaboration – as an important contributor to our city’s knowledge economy and culture of innovation.”