UNSW collaboration recognised at Boomtown! Awards

The Lang Walker AO Medical Research Building in Campbelltown was a winner at the 2025 Project of the Year Awards for advancing health, research and community impact in Greater Western Sydney.

UNSW’s leadership in establishing the Lang Walker AO Medical Research Building has been recognised at the Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue’s annual Boomtown! Project of the Year Awards. The project won the Outstanding Health, Education & Research category.

Located within the Campbelltown Health and Education Precinct, the facility was commended by the judges for bringing together researchers to help address health inequity in Greater Western Sydney, and for its partnership model involving multiple universities, the NSW state government and health services.

The project is a joint venture between UNSW Sydney, the Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Western Sydney University, South Western Sydney Local Health District and the Walker Corporation.

UNSW Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Attila Brungs said the award highlighted the strength of the University’s links in Greater Western Sydney.

“UNSW has a strong and longstanding partnership with Greater Western Sydney, and it’s terrific to see this collaboration recognised. By bringing research, education and health care together in one place, the facility helps accelerate new discoveries and translate them into real health benefits for local communities,” Prof. Brungs said.

UNSW Pro Vice-Chancellor of Precincts Professor Zoe Terpening said the award recognised the project’s transformative potential for the region.

“The project positions Campbelltown as a nationally significant, innovation precinct. Through a strong focus on prevention, culturally safe co-designed research, workforce development and embedded health technology, it will support better outcomes for local communities,” Prof. Terpening said.

A hub for health research and care in Campbelltown

The Lang Walker AO Medical Research Building is located within the Campbelltown Hospital campus and is home to the Ingham Institute Macarthur.

The purpose-built, multi-storey facility brings together local and international researchers, clinicians and students to help bridge the gap between communities and provide access to clinical research and care.

Research conducted at the centre focuses on complex health challenges, including mental health, diabetes, child health and wellbeing, and addiction medicine. The work will also support improved health outcomes for Indigenous communities and culturally and linguistically diverse populations across the region.

Boomtown! awards highlight Western Sydney’s growth

More than 330 business executives, industry leaders, local mayors and senior government representatives attended the Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue’s Boomtown! Project of the Year Awards.

Guests included NSW Minister for Transport, the Arts, Music and the Night-time Economy, John Graham, and the federal Minister for Housing, Homelessness and Cities, Clare O’Neil.

The event is now in its tenth year, and Dialogue CEO Adam Leto said it showcased the people and partnerships shaping the future of Greater Western Sydney.

“These outstanding transport, infrastructure and property initiatives are all delivering great social, economic and environmental outcomes for the region,” Mr Leto said.

“The Dialogue congratulates this year’s impressive list of winners. From community hubs to global transformational infrastructure, all are playing a vital role in connecting the region, driving innovation and shaping the future of the state and the nation.”

Minister John Graham said Western Sydney was leaping forward.

“This is one of the most diverse cities in the world. The energy, the diversity, this is where it comes from,” Minister Graham said.

“You can really see the plan coming together here at these awards. Big projects, small projects – it’s really an exciting leap forward for Western Sydney.”