A/Prof Peter Andrew Downie AM

Associate Professor Peter Andrew Downie AM has made an outstanding contribution to the field of paediatric cancer. He is well regarded by his peers and much loved by his patients. Peter’s contribution extends well beyond his medical expertise and research into children’s cancer, as he is also recognised for his contributions to fundraising for paediatric cancer research.

Following an internship in general medicine at Prince Henry’s Hospital (Melbourne), Peter commenced training in paediatrics at the Royal Children’s Hospital in the early 1980s. He was appointed Chief Resident (1988), and Clinical Research Fellow in the Department of Haematology-Oncology (1989 – 91).

Peter accepted a consultant position in general paediatrics and paediatric haematology-oncology at Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham, (1992) and then spent two years as a Research Fellow at the Wyler Children’s Hospital, University of Chicago.  During this time, Peter began studying the biology and molecular signalling of childhood leukaemia.  He was awarded 1st Prize at the 4th annual Basic Sciences Symposium, University of Chicago, for his research.

He has been a Consultant at the Royal Children’s Hospital since 1994, and was Director of Clinical Oncology from 2008-2012.  He was instrumental in establishing the Leukaemia Research Fund at the RCH, which has raised over $3M for research into childhood leukemia.

Since 2004, and with support from Bailey’s Day, Peter has mentored and trained 18 Paediatric Oncology Fellows, many of whom now hold senior consultant positions in Australia and overseas, in the USA and Europe.

Peter is currently Head of Paediatric Haematology-Oncology, and Director of the Children’s Cancer Centre at Monash Children’s Hospital.  He is Adjunct Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Paediatrics, Monash University, and Head of Clinical Enterprise, Paediatric Cancer Precision Medicine Research Program, at the Hudson Institute, Monash University.  His contribution to childhood cancer was recognised when he was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 2023.

Other achievements include:

• Chair of the Australian & New Zealand Children’s Haematology-Oncology Group 2007-2014
• Member, Scientific Advisory Committee, Cancer Council Victoria 2010-2023
• Chair, Scientific Advisory Committee, Australian & New Zealand Children’s Haematology-Oncology Group 2023 – 
• Medical Director of the Victorian Paediatric Integrated Cancer Service 2010-2014
• Governor, Malcolm Sargent Fund for Children with Cancer 2004-2010
• Spokesman for Bailey’s Day, a charitable event that has raised over $4M for the Monash Children’s Cancer Centre.