Australasian Diabetes Congress
Melbourne 18-21August 2026
I was proud and grateful to be invited to present my Fitter for Having It approach at the Australasian Diabetes Congress in Melbourne this week.
My three presentations focused on the things that shape health beyond the clinic and I’ve copied it here.
On the Opening Day, when people living with diabetes, advocacy groups, researchers and clinicians all rubbed rubbed shoulders. I was invited to present my ‘Beyond Clinical Care’ paper.
On Day 2, I joined a panel of experts to discuss their new research and how to transform diabetes mental health care. I shared my belief that building positive strengths in people newly diagnosed with diabetes is possible, and that peers support and inspiration to follow passions can reduce anxiety, lower diabetes distress and help people cope with the daily load.
On Day 3, I co-chaired a session where 20 researchers, clinicians and diabetes educators presented their clinical and research interventions that are making real impact on the lives of people living with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, and the health care educators working with them.
Thank you to my colleagues at the Rio Tinto Children’s Diabetes Centre, part of the Kids Research Institute of Australia. They support my work and awarded me a Capacity Building Grant to progress my research ideas, and help me find time to support related research projects that meet the needs of people who live with diabetes. Support like this enabled me travel to Melbourne and connect to people and partners at the conference that will lead to ideas, partnerships and solutionsthat will make lives better for kids with T1D.