NEXT SPARK AWARD

The award is designed to support early career researchers in health and medical sciences.  This initiative aims to bring bright ideas to life that benefit children and young people born prematurely and their families.

Expressions of interest open 4/8/25 and close 22/9/25 with finalists receiving individual mentoring in October to perfect their Pitch.  You are all invited to the live Pitch event which will take place at Mounts Bay Sailing Club on November 16.  Make a pledge to support the award and purchase your tickets for the pitch on the ‘Tickets’ link below.  Everyone in attendance will vote and the winner will take home the prize and most importantly have some resources to turn their Next Spark idea into an epic bonfire.

Huge thanks to Graham Hall and Clare Berry who have generously provided their time and expertise to help us bring the Next Spark Award to life.

📆 Sunday, 16 November 2025

🕰️ 4pm - 6pm

🎟️ One beverage on arrival and light refreshments

📍 Mounts Bay Sailing Club, Australia II Drive, Crawley *The function room is only accessible via stairs*

LIGHT IT UP PURPLE

With 15 million babies born early all around the world each year, prematurity is a critical issue! Every day in WA we experience 12 or more admissions to Neonatal Units. Partnering with organisations all over the world we aim to light as many buildings and landmarks purple as possible to help shine a light on this critical issue. We invite you to light a candle or shine your own purple light to join the global wave at 7pm on November 17. Since 2013 we have been coordinating lighting in Western Australia and the community support we have received has grown and grown.  

As venues and landmarks lock in to light it up purple they will be added to the list below:

  • Perth Children’s Hospital ‘Fizz’

  • The Kids’ Bridge, PCH

  • Matagarup Bridge

  • The Sky Ribbon

  • Mount Street Bridge

  • Graham Farmer Freeway Tunnel entrance

  • Joondalup Drive Bridge

  • Fremantle Prison Gatehouse

  • Optus Stadium

  • Elizabeth Quay

  • Yagan Square and Water Fountain

  • Eastern Goldfields Community Centre, Kalgoorlie

  • William Grundt Memorial Library, Kalgoorlie

  • Rockingham Beach Foreshore

  • East Perth Power Station

  • Perth Train Station

We would love you to get out and about to enjoy the purple lighting.  Huge thanks to everyone on the list above.  Please let them know what it means to you to see them light it up purple!

Don’t forget to tag us when sharing to your social media @tinysparkswa #worldprematurityday #neonatalnovember

**Please note this list is subject to change.