Lions Medical Research Foundation Gala Dinner & Researcher Reunion

Member for Thuringowa, Mr Aaron Harper MP; Chair of the Queensland and Northern NSW Lions Medical Research Foundation, Mr David Eades; our MCs, Professor Ian Frazer and Ms Liz Cantor; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen.

I begin by acknowledging the traditional custodians of the lands around Brisbane, the Turrbal and Jagera peoples, and extend respectful greetings to Elders, past, present and emerging.

I was truly honoured recently to continue the proud tradition of vice-regal Patronage of the Lions Medical Research, and to receive the invitation to attend this evening’s special Gala Dinner, with Graeme, celebrating the reuniting of 58 years of Lions Medical Researchers.

It makes me enormously proud to be in the company of such an inspiring group of people, who have made such outstanding contributions to biomedical science—encouraged by the generous and enlightened support of the Lions Medical Research Foundation.

The long list of fellowship recipients since 1966 is brimming with trailblazers, whose vital research, across a myriad of areas, has helped people in this State and far beyond, enjoy improved, often life-changing health outcomes.

It would take me all night to express the scope and significance of the work you have each done, and continue to do in your fields, but let me just say that I offer you my genuine gratitude for your efforts, and to the research institutions that support you.

We all know it can be a struggle to secure funding for research projects, but this is even more challenging for those who are post-graduates or at an early stage in their careers.

To this end, the Foundation is doing an amazing job fostering the talent, imagination and determination of those who might otherwise find it difficult to further their work. 

And, when we consider some of the transformative outcomes that have been developed by tonight’s alumni, we must pay tribute to the Foundation, for its vision and tenacity, and for staying true to the belief that “Today’s research is tomorrow’s cure”.

I therefore thank those who drive the success of the Foundation—its Directors, Executive Manager and staff, together with “The Friends of The Foundation”, who are so passionate about the critical importance of providing start-up funding for world-class medical research.

Much of this support comes from the Lions Clubs themselves, where across Queensland and Northern New South Wales, thousands of members are actively involved in a multitude of efforts to ensure the Foundation thrives – not to mention the vitally important work of Lions members in assisting victims of these recent, devastating floods.

On behalf of Queenslanders, I pay tribute to you all and encourage people in the community to explore more about how the Lions Medical Research Foundation has helped our remarkable biomedical scientists forge innovative research pathways.

It is an uplifting story.

I will shortly have the great honour of presenting a certificate of Patronage to your Chair, and of presenting two awards for distinguished contributions to the Foundation.

I hope you enjoy the evening ahead, and Graeme and I further wish the Foundation every success as it looks towards supporting the next exemplary research fellows. Thank you.