Media Releases
June 2009
Brisbane raises over $500,000 for Wesley Research Institute at Gala Evening
The hugely successful inaugural Gala Evening of Brisbane’s Wesley Research Institute last Saturday raised more than $500,000 for medical research.
More than 500 people filled the Brisbane City Hall for a colourful turn-of-the-century night of fine dining, music and dancing to support life-saving research projects and fund research equipment and facilities at WRI.
The event was held as WRI prepared to officially take possession (22 June) of its new Health and Medical Research Centre, which will effectively double the Institute’s capacity to conduct groundbreaking clinically focused research.
The support of the Queensland Government, the extraordinary benefactor Chuck Feeney through Atlantic Philanthropies, and many individuals and companies, such as Mitsubishi Development Pty Ltd, have helped make the expansion of WRI possible.
Much of the funds raised on the night will be directed to research needs in the new Centre.
The Gala Evening’s biggest gift was $250,000 from mining industry identity John Thorsen and wife Wendy to sponsor a Women’s Health Laboratory to be located in the new Centre.
Making their second $250,000 contribution to WRI in four years, Mr and Mrs Thorsen said:
“These funds will help advance WRI’s IVF research program which holds so much hope for couples who are experiencing problems conceiving.
“We were very happy to be part of the momentum of support for WRI on Saturday night. We hope others will be encouraged to contribute to causes they feel passionate about. The chance to help WRI change the future for so many people was something we felt compelled to do.”
· The Hannah’s Chance Foundation, in memory of Tracey Wickham’s daughter, announced $55,000 to support sarcoma research.
· Prominent Australian business leader Martin Albrecht AC and his wife Fran committed $50,000 for the new Centre. Mr Albrecht is Chairman of the boards of WRI and Geodynamics. The Albrechts have been strong supporters of WRI for many years.
· Major gifts included $5,000 each from KPMG, TAAConnect, Wesley Corporate Health, Corporate Express and NR Solutions to fund research space in the new Health and Medical Research Centre.
· Many other businesses and guests contributed by donating and bidding for dozens of auction items and sponsoring WRI equipment and facilities.
During the evening, Devine Limited and Leighton Properties confirmed that $100,000 would be donated to WRI from the proceeds of the auction of a new home at the Sandstone Lakes Estate, Ningi, near Bribie Island, next Thursday 25 June.
Director of the Wesley Research Institute, Professor Julie Campbell AO, FAA, said these commitments would help the Institute fund its recent dramatic expansion.
“The funds raised from the Gala Evening will help underpin the WRI’s new Health and Medical Research Centre. This Centre will foster collaboration between clinicians and scientists thereby taking important discoveries from the lab to the bedside faster,” Professor Campbell said.
“WRI is extremely grateful for the support of these forward thinking individuals and companies, especially in this difficult economic climate. Their donations are deeply appreciated more than ever, and will help facilitate medical research that helps make a difference today,” she said.
Guests at the Gala Evening from Brisbane’s medical, scientific, business and professional communities were joined by Queensland Treasurer and the WRI’s local Member for Mt Coot-tha, the Hon Andrew Fraser MP, asbestos disease campaigner Karen Banton, and leading media industry figure, philanthropist and a WRI Patron Harold Mitchell AO.
WRI Ambassador and 7 News Anchor Rod Young was MC, Channel 7 was the Major Sponsor and the Lord Mayor generously made the City Hall available.
