Three long-standing supporters of Children’s Medical Research Institute were made life members at a recent celebration of the Institute’s 65th anniversary held at the Parliament of NSW.
The event, which is a chance of committees to come together and report on the previous year’s fundraising success, included a keynote address from Telstra Health Managing Director Elizabeth Koff AM who spoke about her challenging time as Secretary of NSW Health during covid lockdowns. She also paid tribute to all the fundraising committees.
“The reason that medical research at CMRI is going from strength-to-strength is because of the wonderful support of people like you.’’
The three life memberships were given to people who have supported CMRI over more than 40 years.
CMRI’s Director Professor Roger Reddel paid tribute to all three.
“There is something about CMRI that inspires such loyalty.’’
Carolyn Forster OAM, Patti Payne OAM and Christopher Cullen AM were all made life members at the event which also doubled as CMRI’s Annual General Meeting and the Annual Meeting of CMRI’s Fundraising Committees.
Mrs Forster has served 50 years with CMRI. She joined the Board in 1996 and is currently Vice-President. She has also been a member of CMRI’s Canberra Fundraising Committee since 1973.
Mrs Payne has served with CMRI for 53 years. She started out as a fundraiser in 1968, joining the Beecroft Fundraising Committee in 1969 and forming the Hills Fundraising Committee in 1991 – where she is still president. She served on CMRI’s Board for 22 years.
Mr Cullen has served CMRI for 40 years. He joined the CMRI Board in 1980 and served until 2009. He was integral in gaining government support for CMRI’s move to Westmead.
An award was also presented to Gene Therapy Research Unit scientist Eva Van Dijk who won the Peter B Rowe PhD Scholarship for 2023.