Six decades of discovery: Busselton Health Study celebrates 60 years
One of Western Australia’s most enduring health research initiatives has marked a remarkable milestone, with the Busselton Health Study celebrating 60 years of continuous research in 2026.
The milestone was recently recognised at Government House, where His Excellency Chris Dawson APM, Governor of Western Australia, and his wife Mrs Darrilyn Dawson, hosted representatives and supporters of the study.
Guests included the Scientific Patron of the study, Professor Barry Marshall, Director General of the Department of Health, Dr Shirley Bowen, Tim Leen, Executive Director of the Department’s Office of Medical Research and Innovation Executive and Professor Alexey Terskikh, Future Health Research and Innovation (FHRI) Fund Research Fellow.
Established in 1966 by Busselton GP Dr Kevin Cullen, with the support of local volunteers and collaborators from WA hospitals and universities, the Busselton Health Study has grown into one of Australia’s longest-running population health studies.
What began from a small caravan has developed into a significant research resource, with 6 decades of longitudinal health data and biospecimens helping researchers explore questions that could not have been anticipated when the earliest samples were collected.
The study now enables research across a broad range of areas including cardiovascular and respiratory disease, diabetes, kidney and liver disease, cancer, ageing, genetics, precision health and population wellbeing. Its long-running data and biospecimen collections provide a platform for collaboration between researchers, universities, institutes, government and industry in Australia and internationally.
At the heart of that achievement is the Busselton community. Generations of participants and volunteers have contributed to a resource that has grown in value over time, supporting research that benefits communities far beyond the South West.
Since 2021, the FHRI Fund has awarded the Busselton Health Study almost $1.8 million through the WA Cohort Studies Operational Support Program and the Biobank Interim Support Program to support their ongoing operations.
As the Busselton Health Study celebrates its 60th year, the milestone recognises the participants, volunteers, researchers and partners who have built an extraordinary Western Australian research legacy and continue to support its contribution to future discovery.