Community Outreach and Development Program
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The John Curtin School of Medical Research, ANU, holds a
unique position in the hearts and minds of many Australians
as the National Medical Research School. The year 2002 has
seen many more Canberrans introduced to the work carried out
at the JCSMR through our ongoing Community Outreach program.
Dr Madeleine Nicol left the Division of Neuroscience within
the School mid year to join the Public Affairs Unit. Since
May, she has been speaking to clubs, groups and schools throughout
the region, and subsequently hosting many of those groups
and other visitors through our research laboratories. Many
of these visitors voice surprise and admiration at the truly
amazing level of work being carried out within the School.
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This increased involvement with our community has served to strengthen our position locally, as evidenced by the increased number of visitors through the School on Open Day in August. However, Open Day visitors were drawn not only from Canberra and the surrounding region, but from as far afield as Cairns, Hobart, and the Northern Territory, suggesting that we are also strengthening our profile nationally.
Other visitors in 2002 included the Governor General, Parliamentarians and Government representatives, Ambassadors and Embassy staff, foreign nationals, media principals, local personalities, sporting heroes and celebrities.
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Collage: 1.Professor Chris Parish gives a public lecture at Parliament House for the National Institute of Health and Human Sciences; 2.Dr Klaus Matthaei explains gene targeting to Science Minister, Peter McGauran; 3.Dr Jun Fan with Mr Emmanual Trinidad from the Embassy of Mexico at the School's international night; 4.Dr Peter Jeffrey receives souvenir rulers from Jackie Chan as Business Manager Barry Webb looks on; 5.Dr Chris Schyvens at the Australian Society for Medical Research EXPO at Canberra Hospital; 6.John Curtin School of Medical Research Open Day - PhD students Yang Wang and Monica Farnsworth with a possible future researcher; 7.Moderator, Dr Tom Faunce addresses the Panel at the School's 'Hypothetical'; 8.Dr Sharon Oleskevich with Probus Club visitors; 9.A full house in the School's Florey Lecture Theatre for the 'Hypothetical'; 10.Director, Professor Judith Whitworth accepts a plaque from Jackie Chan in honour of his late mother, Miss LeeLee Chan. Background. International night in the Foyer, John Curtin School of Medical Research. All Photos - JCSMR, Multimedia Unit. |
An increase in local and national understanding of our work has led to many more donations towards our research - all of which we are most grateful for and will ensure are put to the very best use. This year saw an increase in the number of scholarships available for Honours students within the School, and the gift of a DNA Sequencer to enhance cancer research as the result of a very generous bequest. A prize for medical research aimed at assisting a developing nation was established, and the whole School was very excited by the visit of movie star, Mr Jackie Chan and his family, as they donated money towards the purchase of equipment in the memory of Mr Chan's mother, Miss LeeLee Chan.
During the year 2002, the John Curtin School of Medical Research has gratefully received generous support from the following
The Estate of the late Freidel Oster, in memory of Madeleine
Lustig
Mrs M Konovalov
Mr Luigi and Mrs Assunta Corbo
Professor Frank Fenner
The Canberra City Dance Club
Dr David Howes
Mrs Jean Laird
Mrs Dora Coombs
Professor Arthur Duggan
Professor Gordon Ada
Drs Alan and Elizabeth Finkel
Dr Beth Howard
Dr Stephen Gutowski
The Public Trustee for the ACT
The Majura Ladies Probus Club
Dr Joyce Fildes
Mrs Beth Chivers
Professor Judith Whitworth
The Jackie Chan Charitable Foundation - in memory of Miss LeeLee
Chan
Mrs Joan Lega
Mr W and Mrs M Gibson
Late in 2001, The Curtin Circle was established within the
School. Members of this group have informed us of their intent to
name the School as a beneficiary in the terms of their Will.
The John Curtin School would like to thank the following for their
generous intent, and welcome them as members of The Curtin Circle:
Ms Ruth Felton
Dr Joyce Fildes
Dr Gwen Woodroofe
By strengthening and expanding the Public Affairs Unit over the Year 2002, the John Curtin School of Medical Research hopes to encourage continued crucial financial support, along with the increased understanding and goodwill shown to the School by many community members. This will assist us enormously as we move towards the goal of establishing the beginnings of our new, state of the art medical research building late in 2003. It will also ensure we are in a position to continue Sir Howard Florey's vision of the National Medical Research School performing "superlatively good medical research" well into the future.
Dr Madeleine Nicol
Public Affairs Officer