QIMR Berghofer 80th Anniversary Gala Dinner

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services, the Honourable Tim Nicholls MP; Representing the Lord Mayor of Brisbane, Councillor Lisa Atwood; Member for McConnel, the Honourable Grace Grace MP; Chair, QIMR Berghofer Council, Professor Arun Sharma AM, and Director and Chief Executive Officer, Professor Fabienne Mackay; Philanthropist and Donor, Dr Clive Berghofer AO and Ms Sue Hawkins; distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.  

I begin by acknowledging the Original Custodians of the lands around Brisbane, the Turrbal and Jagera peoples, and pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and to any First Nations people here this evening, and I thank Aunty Kathryn Fisher  for the Welcome to Country. 

Graeme and I are delighted to be here tonight to honour QIMR Berghofer on its 80th anniversary, and to share the celebrations with a group of people who also passionately value the transformative potential of scientific research. 

As Governor and Patron, I have been proud to support this incredible organisation for the past four years, but, as a medical professional, my admiration and respect for the ground-breaking work being done by the Institute, began long before. 

From 2005 to 2019, I served as a member of the Institute’s Council and I have seen, first-hand, how QIMR Berghofer’s leadership in research has developed and improved our understanding and treatment of complex health issues, the benefits of which travel far beyond our own state’s borders. 

Since those first early post-war years focussed on tropical diseases of northern Australia, with a staff of seven, QIMR Berghofer has become a powerhouse of advanced thinking and innovation—with close to a thousand researchers, clinicians, technical staff, and administrative personnel2.  

Working across 60 research groups, they are addressing the world’s most pressing health challenges, including cancer, infection, inflammation, mental health and chronic illness. 

The milestone we are celebrating tonight is not just counted in years, but in the experiences of millions of people globally whose lives have been improved, lengthened or saved as a result of the medical breakthroughs initiated within the QIMR’s laboratories.  

Its successes are represented by the thousands of dedicated and forward-thinking individuals who, since 1945, have devoted themselves to ensuring its development and growth, propelled by tenacity, generosity and intense curiosity. 

Recently, former Director, Professor Michael Good said, that a combination of “luck, mentorship and hard work” within the inspirational environment at QIMR had helped shape his own career, and I have no doubt that this is a sentiment shared by all of the Institute’s brilliant scientists.  

Tonight, we also acknowledge the essential contributions of each of the outstanding benefactors who have donated funds over the years.  

In particular, I highlight the enlightened altruism of Mr Clive Berghofer, AO, whose name will forever be associated with super-charging medical research and who, since 2001, has donated an astonishing 60-million-dollars-plus to the Institute.  

But of course, the Institute relies on support from many avenues to achieve its goals, and tonight I commend the largesse of every individual, or corporate sponsor who has contributed in some way.   

If not for such financial support, bold, game-changing hypotheses would remain untested.  

We must reflect on the many partnerships that thread together the Institute’s practical activities, linking universities, government, hospitals, industry, and the community—here and internationally… …creating a force that proves the strength and wisdom of collaborations, and which, alongside exceptional mentoring and training, attracts and encourages the development of the next generation of researchers. 

In 2020, it was wonderful to see Professor Fabienne Mackay appointed as the Institute’s first female Director and CEO. She joins a long list of visionaries who, together with their leadership teams and staff, have ensured this remarkable Institute fulfils its strategic objectives. We wish her well as she leaves QIMR and continues on in her career.  

Now, as we look to the future—and with the support of all of you and underpinned by new Legislation that enables greater agility—I am sure QIMR Berghofer will continue to push the boundaries, delivering medical marvels, together with tremendous hope. 

Congratulations to everyone, for making QIMR Berghofer the flagship of research excellence globally, and the pride of our State.