What a wonderful way to start wrapping up the year that was 
On Monday, we gathered at NUspace for our annual End of Year function with The University of Newcastle, Australia to celebrate our partnership. We enjoyed lunch with both our full team and MHF Centre team, our Board, the Centre Advisory Committee and University delegates.
We got the opportunity to hear our Centre Stream Leaders share their research updates and the Centres progress in 2025, which we get to share with you all soon!
A huge thank you to the amazing girls at the Centre for organising another seamless and heartfelt celebration. Your dedication make this event so special every single year.
And of course, thank you to the entire team at the Mark Hughes Foundation Centre for Brain Cancer Research. It’s so amazing to watch you be able to proudly showcase the remarkable work you are all doing in the fight against brain cancer.
We also want to express our deepest gratitude to the incredibly talented artist, Renae Lamb, for creating a truly meaningful piece for Mark and Kirralee — and to the Office of Alumni & Philanthropy for such a beautiful and sentimental gift.
Artist Statement & Storyline:
GABUGA is a powerful visual tribute to the importance of brain health, drawing from the deep cultural knowledge of our First Nations people. In Wiradjuri language, “Gabuga” means brain—a word that holds not just anatomical meaning, but spiritual and communal significance. This artwork, created in collaboration with artist Renae Lamb, is a reflection of both ancient wisdom and modern awareness. Through the bold use of colour, traditional symbols, and layered storytelling, this piece explores the vital functions of the brain—its role in learning, memory, language, emotion, decision-making, coordination, and our very survival. Each area of the brain is represented and honoured: the frontal lobes for decision-making and emotions, the occipital lobe for vision, the cerebellum for balance, the parietal for perception, and the brainstem for our most essential life processes. The colours and symbols woven throughout GABUGA connect us to Country, Ancestors, and our living culture—the longest surviving culture on the planet. They remind us that health, knowledge, and spiritual wellbeing are all interconnected. This work is also part of the Mark Hughes Foundation’s “Gift for Change”, an initiative raising awareness and critical funds for brain cancer research. Brain cancer is a devastating disease that impacts many, and this piece stands as both a cultural celebration and a call to action. By bringing attention to the importance of brain health and the urgent need for research, we honour those affected and help spark real change. GABUGA is not just an artwork. It’s a conversation starter, a healer, and a guide—urging us to respect the brain, nurture it, and understand its profound significance in every aspect of our lives.
