QIMR Berghofer 'Thankuary' Reception

Chair of the QIMR Berghofer Council, Professor Arun Sharma; Director and Chief Executive Officer, QIMR Berghofer Institute, Professor Fabienne Mackay; Directors; staff; donors and supporters; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen.

I begin by acknowledging the Traditional Owners of the lands around Brisbane, the Turrbal and Jagera people, and pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and to any First Nations people with us this evening.

Graeme and I are delighted to welcome you all to Government House this evening, in a special thank you to the loyal donors who give such generous and invaluable support to the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute.

When Dr Edward Derrick set up his institute of medical research in 1945 in an abandoned US army hut in Victoria Park, corporate support and private philanthropy were rare in Australia; today, it is the commitment and belief of organisations and individuals such as yourselves that enable this iconic Queensland institute to continue its world-leading research.

As Governor, on behalf of all Queenslanders, and as Patron of QIMR, I sincerely thank you for that commitment and support and am very pleased to be part of the Institute’s celebration of “Thankuary”.

What a wonderful way to acknowledge the support and generosity of your donors, fundraisers and other supporters, without whom much of the Institute’s success would simply not be possible.

This is not to take away from the brilliant work being done within the organisation to fund critical research, including winning grants for funding in what is a highly competitive environment.

For example, I’m aware a staggering 13 QIMR Berghofer researchers recently secured competitive national grants from the National Health and Medical Research Council.

These grants will support research on various critical health issues, such as skin cancer, malaria, leukaemia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, Alzheimer’s disease, haemochromatosis, and transplant disorders.

The funding, which aims to address medical conditions globally, recognises the excellence of QIMR Berghofer scientists.

Contributing to that excellence is a fortuitous matching up of talent, skill and know-how with opportunities – opportunities like those presented by the many generous donors and benefactors with us here tonight.

Once again, on behalf of QIMR, I thank you all, and hope that you enjoy our Government House hospitality.