Rick Speare Oration Lecture 2025

Professor Brett Sutton AO

In 2025, we welcomed Professor Brett Sutton AO as our guest speaker for the Rick Speare Oration Lecture. Prof Sutton is Director of CSIRO’s Health & Biosecurity Research Unit, leading a team of more than 350 researchers advancing human, animal, plant and environmental health security. A public health physician with extensive experience in communicable diseases, tropical medicine and humanitarian work, he is well known for his leadership as Victoria’s Chief Health Officer. His career spans clinical medicine, government leadership and global health initiatives, reflecting a deep commitment to improving health outcomes in Australia and internationally.

Topic: How can One Health meet the existential challenges of this era?
Drawing on his leadership through Victoria’s pandemic response and his current work in biosecurity and One Health, Professor Sutton will share insights on preparedness, science communication and integrated health approaches — themes that will resonate strongly with health professionals, researchers and community leaders across the tropics.

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