Media Release: Victorian Honour Roll of Women
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Liz Dawes OAM named to Victorian Honour Roll of Women 2025 as a “Change Agent”
The Victorian Government has recognised Mary Elizabeth (Liz) Dawes OAM, Founder and CEO of the Robert Connor Dawes Foundation (RCDF), as one of the state’s most influential leaders by inducting her into the Victorian Honour Roll of Women 2025 in the category of Change Agent.
Liz established the Robert Connor Dawes Foundation in 2013, following the loss of her 18-year-old son Connor to brain cancer. What began as a mother’s tribute has become one of Australia’s most impactful charitable organisations dedicated to changing the odds for young people facing brain cancer – the leading cancer killer of children and young adults.
Over the past decade, Liz has driven extraordinary progress in research, care, and awareness both in Victoria and internationally. Her leadership has:
- Spearheaded world-first clinical trials in Victoria and across Australia, giving young brain cancer patients access to innovative treatments not previously available.
- Launched the Brain Cancer Vaccine Project, a three-year, $2.4 million partnership with The University of Queensland to develop a personalised mRNA vaccine for paediatric brain cancer, commencing January 2024 and initially targeting ependymoma, the first-of-its-kind program applying this technology in children.
- Funded the AIM BRAIN project, which introduced cutting-edge DNA tumour methylation testing to Australia, now clinically validated and offered nationally – making Australia one of only two countries worldwide with this capability.
- Pioneered international data-sharing collaborations between Australia, Europe, the UK, and the USA to accelerate discoveries in rare brain cancers, harnessing advances in artificial intelligence and machine learning.
- Galvanised communities through Connor’s Run, now Australia’s largest event for paediatric brain cancer, raising millions for research and family support.
Professor David Eisenstat, Director of the Children’s Cancer Centre at The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne, praised Liz as “a woman who defines the term change agent,” noting that she has transformed the field of child, adolescent and young adult brain cancer research in Australia and beyond. “Her passion, persistence, commitment and unique vision have been transformational locally, nationally and internationally,” said Professor Eisenstat. “Few others have had the courage to tackle such complex and urgent challenges with such remarkable success.”
“Being inducted into the Victorian Honour Roll of Women is an honour I share with every family who has walked this road with us. September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and as we kick off Connor’s Run, I’m reminded that together with our supporters, clinicians and researchers, we’re bringing hope and improving the lives of young people with brain cancer.” — Liz Dawes OAM
For media enquiries, please contact:
Charlotte Westover
Marketing Manager
Robert Connor Dawes Foundation
rcdfoundation.org | 0421 906 419