Symposium

Each year, the Western Alliance community gathers for our Annual Symposium, an opportunity to reconnect with colleagues and forge new collaborations, and to showcase some of the fantastic research from across western Victoria.

This year the Western Alliance Symposium will be held at The Goods Shed in beautiful Ballarat on Monday 10 November & Tuesday 11 November 2025.

This year will be bigger and better than ever, as in additional to the main program and DELIVER & STaRR showcases, we are joining forces with our Deakin Rural Health colleagues to bring you a forum on regional and rural mental health.

The Symposium and social function (not including accommodation costs) are free of charge to employees of Western Alliance member organisations.

The call for presentation abstracts for the DRH Mental Health Showcase and Western Alliance Symposium is now open.

Please click here to find out more or submit an abstract.

Abstracts for 5-minute and 10-minute presentations are invited from those working across Western Alliance member health services, primary care and universities, from all disciplines and sectors with a focus on rural and regional health research and translation. 

Abstract submissions will close at 5pm, Tuesday 2 September 2025.

Current Program

Monday 10 November: The Goods Shed Ballarat

• Morning: Deakin Rural Health Mental Health Showcase: Taking action on rural and regional mental health, featuring a keynote speaker, oral presentations and panel discussion
• Afternoon: DELIVER Showcase and STaRR Emerging Researcher Showcase, featuring a keynote speaker, oral presentations and workshop
• Evening: Social function @ Itinerant Spirits Cocktail Bar & Distillery

Tuesday 11 November: The Goods Shed Ballarat

• Western Alliance Symposium, featuring oral presentations and keynote speakers

Keynote speakers (more to come)

Associate Professor Gustavo Machado

Associate Professor Gustavo Machado is an NHMRC Investigator and Robinson Fellow at the Institute for Musculoskeletal Health, Sydney Local Health District and The University of Sydney.

His work involves conducting large-scale clinical trials, implementation, and health services research to address important gaps about management of back pain and other musculoskeletal conditions. Gustavo has been awarded the 2019 NSW Health Award for Value Based Health Care, the 2022 ANZMUSC Trial of the Year Award, and the 2023 Research Australia Health Services Research Award.

Gustavo led the SHaPED trial involving 4,625 patients, which aimed to translate research evidence into practice by implementing a model of care for back pain in Australian emergency departments. The trial led to a reduction in the use of opioids and promoted safer, guideline-recommended treatments, with no negative impact on patient pain or satisfaction. It also enhanced clinicians’ knowledge and attitudes towards back pain, demonstrating how evidence-based models of care can improve practice.

Associate Professor Ecushla Linedale

Associate Professor Ecushla Linedale is the Director of Implementation and Translation for the Omega-3 Project at SAHMRI, where she is leading the national scale-up of the Omega-3 Test and Treat Program, ensuring all pregnant women in Australia have access to a proven intervention to reduce preterm birth.

In her prior role as Deputy Executive Director of South Australia’s Research Translation Centre Ecushla played a key role in strengthening South Australia’s research translation ecosystem, embedding evidence into healthcare policy and practice. With a foundation in microbiology and immunology, she transitioned into health services research, earning a PhD in Medicine from the University of Adelaide.

Her career has been dedicated to bridging the gap between research and clinical practice, leading projects that have reshaped models of care, influenced national policy, and improved patient outcomes. From transforming the management of irritable bowel syndrome to developing digital surgery prehabilitation pathways, her work has driven meaningful system change in Australia.

Professor Vin Versace

Professor Vin Versace is Director of Deakin Rural Health (DRH), which works to improve rural health outcomes by reducing workforce maldistribution of medical, nursing, and allied health professionals in rural Australia. This role also involves developing the researcher capacity and capability of health services across western Victoria.

Vin completed all his undergraduate study and post-graduate training in Warrnambool and has since forged his academic career exclusively in rural Australia. Since becoming Director of DRH in 2017, he has actively fostered a culture of ‘grow your own’ and has worked closely with the Western Alliance on numerous projects to develop the local research ecosystem.

Recently Vin has focused on access to essential services which led to the establishment of the Centre for Australian Research into Access (CARA, he is a founding Co-Director). CARA has undertaken work for the Department of Education, the Department of Health and Aged Care, and the Australian Bureau of Statistics, as well as local projects focussed on health service access and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health.