SSMRF - St George & Sutherland Medical Research Foundation

03/09/2026

Great to see the Beachside Dash featured in The Leader today, as registrations continue to climb and are now over 1,200!

Our first Half Marathon is bringing even more of our community together, crossing three council areas while raising vital funds for medical research at St George and Sutherland Hospitals.

Thank you to Mayor Elise Borg - Georges River Council, Jack Boyd - Mayor of the Sutherland Shire and Edward McDougall - Mayor of Bayside for joining SSMRF CEO Pam Brown to celebrate this exciting milestone.

There’s still time to join us on Sunday 13 September – registrations remain open for all five events. Register at dash.org.au



Georges River Council, Sutherland Shire Council Bayside Council

Everything you need to know about the 2026 Beachside Dash where runners power hospital research.

02/09/2026

The countdown is on! 🏃

The inaugural SSMRF Beachside Dash Half Marathon is almost here, and registrations are still open.

On Sunday 13 September, runners will take on a certified 21.1km course from Dolls Point, across the Captain Cook Bridge and into the Sutherland Shire before returning to the finish line.

Whether you're running for a personal best, ticking off your first half marathon, or supporting a great local cause, there's still time to be part of this special event.

Every registration helps support our local hospitals and life-changing medical research through SSMRF - St George & Sutherland Medical Research Foundation.

Register today before entries close: https://bit.ly/4w3pTB2

Proudly supporting our local community!

02/09/2026

We’re proud to partner with Southern Cancer Care to help fund vital cancer research in our local community.

Together, we’re supporting researchers working towards better treatments, better care and better outcomes for people affected by cancer. 💙

𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 = 𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬

At Southern Cancer Care (SCC), research isn't just something we support – it’s a core pillar of how we deliver the best possible care to our community.

Through our partnership with the SSMRF - St George & Sutherland Medical Research Foundation (SSMRF), we ensure funding is available to sponsor ground-breaking medical research right here at the Cancer Care Centre, St George Hospital, in our research labs, Clinical Trials Unit and with our research partners.

Here’s why it matters:

Mentoring the next generation: Our clinician researchers and state-of-the-art labs provide a rich environment for our registrars and trainees.

Cutting-edge collaboration: For example, we are currently co-mentoring a PhD researcher in collaboration with UNSW, ANSTO, and our Department of Gastroenterology.

Direct impact: Every single dollar raised goes directly toward supporting vital research.

When you support research, you’re directly helping us deliver optimal outcomes for our patients today and into the future.
https://southerncancercare.com.au/donate-now/

Photo: Translational cancer scientists, Dr Julia Beretov and Dr Kevin Ni, carrying out research to better understand ways to optimise cancer treatment and monitor cancer more effectively.

24/08/2026

Raise money for medical research and join our family-fun runs and walks at the 2026 Beachside Dash on 13 September: 21.1km, 10km, 5km, 2km

18/08/2026

Run the Bay. Run for research. 13 September, Dolls Point.
Register at dash.org.au

12/08/2026

Don’t miss out – Early Bird pricing ends this Sunday, 16 August!

Half Marathon | 10km | 5km | 2km Dash
Sunday 13 September | Dolls Point

Register now at dash.org.au

09/08/2026

What can you expect at Beachside Dash 2026?

- Five race options: Half marathon, 10km, 5km, 2km with School Cup and 2km Corporate Cup
- Scenic bayside courses
- A professionally managed event
- Cash prizes across selected races
- Medals for all participants
- A dedicated Recovery Area
- A welcoming community atmosphere

And the satisfaction of supporting vital medical research through SSMRF - St George & Sutherland Medical Research Foundation.

Join us on 13 September - register at https://beachsidedash.org.au/

09/08/2026

We're proud to support our local community and encourage everyone to get behind the SSMRF - St George & Sutherland Medical Research Foundation Beachside Dash as it launches its first-ever certified 21.1km Half Marathon on Sunday 13 September.

Whether you're chasing a personal best, taking on your first half marathon, or simply getting active for a great cause, this is an event worth being part of.

Every step helps support our local hospitals and vital medical research right here in the Sutherland Shire & St George area.

🏃 Registrations are now open, early bird prices close 16 August 2026.
📅 Event Date: Sunday 13 September
📍 Beachside Dash Half Marathon starting from Dolls Point

Join us in supporting a healthier future. Register today at https://bit.ly/4w3pTB2

03/08/2026

The St George and Sutherland Medical Research Foundation (SSMRF) is pleased to announce the appointment of Katrina Green as its new Incoming Chief Executive Officer.

SSMRF Chair Jill Deering, together with the Board, warmly welcomes Katrina to the Foundation. With extensive senior executive experience, a PhD and a successful track record of securing research funding, Katrina brings a unique combination of scientific expertise and strategic leadership. She will work closely with researchers, clinicians, donors and community partners to strengthen SSMRF’s impact and help grow investment in life-changing medical research.

Throughout her career, Dr Green has worked across medical research, higher education, philanthropy and the health sector, leading strategy, partnerships and organisational growth. Her experience spans research institutes, universities, not-for-profit organisations and health-focused start-ups, giving her a deep understanding of the opportunities and challenges involved in advancing medical research and community impact.

As SSMRF welcomes Katrina, the Foundation also extends its sincere thanks to outgoing CEO Pam Brown, who will retire in September after more than four years of dedicated leadership.

Pam joined SSMRF during the challenging post-COVID period, providing stability while positioning the Foundation for future growth. During her tenure, Pam strengthened the Foundation’s fundraising capability through new partnerships and championed several new initiatives that will leave a lasting legacy.

Among these is Recycle 4 Research, Pam’s innovative fundraising initiative, which has already diverted more than 500,000 eligible containers from landfill while raising more than $50,000 to support vital medical research at St George and Sutherland hospitals. The program continues to expand across businesses, organisations, residential complexes and the broader community, demonstrating how everyday recycling can make a meaningful difference to local healthcare.

Pam also oversaw the continued growth of the Beachside Dash fun run and helped deliver an exciting new chapter with the launch of the Beachside Dash Half Marathon. The inaugural event, to be held on 13 September 2026, will connect the St George region with the Sutherland Shire, giving participants the unique opportunity to run across the iconic Captain Cook Bridge before turning around at Ocean Protect Stadium.

SSMRF Chair Jill Deering said the Board was deeply grateful for Pam’s leadership and lasting contribution to the Foundation.

“Pam has led SSMRF with passion, resilience and unwavering commitment. She helped guide the Foundation through an important period of renewal and growth, strengthened our fundraising capability and created initiatives that will continue benefiting medical research for years to come. On behalf of the Board, I thank Pam for her outstanding contribution and wish her every happiness in her retirement.”

Jill said the Board was excited to welcome Katrina as SSMRF enters its next chapter.

“Katrina brings exceptional leadership experience, a deep understanding of the research sector and a clear vision for the future. We look forward to working together to grow SSMRF’s impact, expand our partnerships and continue supporting research that improves the health of our local community.”

03/08/2026

Southern Cancer Care (SCC) and SSMRF - St George & Sutherland Medical Research Foundation are proud to congratulate Dr Joyce Chiu on her recent recognition by Mark Coure MP, Member for Oatley, at the NSW Parliament Community Recognition Event.

Dr Chiu was also acknowledged in the NSW Parliament's Hansard in recognition of her outstanding contribution to medical research at St George Hospital and her pioneering work to optimise the effectiveness of immunotherapy for people living with cancer.

SCC has a longstanding research partnership with SSMRF, dedicated to advancing cancer research and improving outcomes for our community. In 2025, Dr Chiu was awarded the SCC Research Grant through SSMRF, to investigate how tumours create barriers that may prevent immune cells from reaching and attacking cancer cells, with the aim of improving the effectiveness of cancer treatments.

Together, we are incredibly proud to support research with the potential to transform lives across St George and Sutherland Hospitals and we are delighted to see Joyce's dedication, innovation and achievements recognised at both community and parliamentary levels.

Congratulations, Joyce, on this well-deserved honour. Your work is helping shape the future of cancer care and bringing hope to patients and families throughout our community and beyond.