Paediatrician Professor Frank Oberklaid AM, 76, has tonight been named the 2023 Victorian Senior Australian of the Year.
Professor Oberklaid AM is an internationally recognised authority and advocate for children’s health and founding director of Victoria’s Centre for Community Child Health.
The paediatrician was director of the Centre at The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne for 25 years and is co-group leader of Child Health Policy, Equity and Translation at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute.
Frank has focused on helping children with developmental and behavioural problems through research-based programs.
He recently developed the Mental Health in Primary Schools Program, which upskills experienced teachers to become mental health and wellbeing coordinators. The aim is to reduce children’s mental health issues through prevention and early intervention in the school setting. The program is now in more than 100 Victorian schools.
Frank also helped develop the parenting website raisingchildren.net.au, which receives one million visits each week. At 76, he is an Honorary Professor of Paediatrics at the University of Melbourne, a sought-after speaker and winner of many prestigious awards.
Also announced this evening, the 2023 Victoria Australian of the Year is Dr Angraj Khillan, paediatrician and co-founder of the Health Awareness Society of Australia.
