Children Medical Research Institute (CMRI) is delighted to announce that Her Excellency the Honourable Ms Sam Mostyn AC, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, is CMRI’s Patron.
We were honoured to welcome Her Excellency to the institute on Thursday 17 April.
The Governor-General toured ProCan® and CMRI's Stem Cell & Organoid Facility, met with members of the Board, and spoke to all our staff.
Her Excellency was particularly keen to learn about the latest technology in medical research – such as the new AI tools being developed in ProCan® to analyse cancer samples on a very large scale, and the “mini-organs” – including retina (eye), brain and inner ear grown in the lab dish that have the potential to transform medicine.
In her speech to all staff the Governor-General acknowledged the tremendous importance of their work and of the strong links CMRI has built with our vast community of supporters across Australia – commenting on our shared values as Australians. Her Excellency’s words of encouragement to our younger scientists and the request for a group “selfie” with all staff were major highlights!
CMRI’s Director Professor Roger Reddel AO said it is a privilege to receive The Governor-General’s Patronage.
“We were honoured to warmly welcome Children’s Medical Research Institute’s Patron, Her Excellency the Honourable Ms Sam Mostyn AC to our premises at Westmead. It was a great pleasure to show her first-hand, the work of our scientists and the enormous potential of high-tech Australian medical research to save lives and improve the wellbeing of seriously unwell children and that of their families.
“Touring our research laboratories and meeting our scientists (comprising 55 nationalities from across the world), we were touched by the Governor-General’s keen interest in our researchers, their work and their wellbeing,’’ Prof Reddel said. “Our staff were deeply moved by Her Excellency’s words about the interwoven strengths of the Australian community.”
“CMRI has always been generously supported by the Australian public, through the much-loved Jeans for Genes fundraising campaign, the Great Cycle Challenge and the support of our volunteers nationwide – for which we feel immense gratitude. It was a wonderful opportunity to share with Her Excellency stories of our deep ties within the community, dating back more than 65 years.’’
Her Excellency said the work she saw at CMRI is “going to change the trajectory of so many children’s lives who may not have otherwise ever had a cure for whatever disease or cancer they might have started life with.
“I said when I was sworn in as Governor-General that I would put care and kindness at the centre of everything I do – and this is care at its most acute and accountable.’’
Her Excellency was sworn in as Australia’s 28th Governor-General in 2024 – the second woman to hold this position.
Last year Her Excellency was awarded the highest category of Australian Honours –Companion of the Order of Australia for eminent service in the areas of social justice, gender equity, sporting, cultural and business sectors.