It is a privilege to address you as the TROG President, a role to which I was appointed in April 2021.

Radiation therapy is utilised in the care of approximately 50% of cancer patients in Australia. In 2019-20 there were over 74,000 courses of radiation therapy delivered in public and private centres across the country. TROG Cancer Research has been improving the way in which radiation therapy is provided to cancer patients for over 30 years. From humble beginnings in 1989, TROG was founded when members of seven radiation therapy centres across Australia and New Zealand formed a clinical trials group to advance the study of cancers that could be treated with radiation therapy.

Today, TROG is one of Australia’s largest clinical trials groups and one of 13 Cancer Collaborative Trials Groups supported by the Federal Government through Cancer Australia. Over the past three decades, TROG has built an enviable reputation in the development and conduct of clinical trials, and our brand name is well known and respected internationally. Working with over 70 cancer treatment centres in Australia and New Zealand, TROG has launched more than 100 clinical trials with the participation of almost 15,000 patients.

Recently the scope of our research portfolio has been expanded to include the broader use of radiation in the management of cancer, including Interventional Oncology. This is reflected in our Mission, “to conduct world-class research in radiation medicine that leads the global effort to better control and cure cancer, and improve outcomes for people affected by cancer”. TROG remains focused on conducting high-quality, clinically meaningful research that responds to and reflects patient needs, changes in cancer treatments, new technologies, the research environment, and our membership.

TROG exists to serve its members and the cancer community. Together with the Board and Executive team, I will work diligently to uphold the standing of TROG as one of the world’s premier cancer trials groups. I am confident that with the help and support of our friends, supporters and collaborative partners, we can continue to grow and adapt the organisation so that future generations of radiation oncologists, medical physicists, radiation therapists, and other cancer clinicians have a strong platform from which they can continue to conduct globally significant and practice-changing research.

Thank you and I look forward to working with you all!