Not If, When - the Campaign
to Create Change

Professor Robyn Ward on the importance of philanthropy to the Faculty of Medicine

The gracious sandstone of the Great Court and the heritage-listed home of UQ Medicine are magnificent reminders that our institution has been built through philanthropy.

Dr James O’Neil Mayne and his sister Mary Emelia Mayne gifted £55,000 to The University of Queensland in 1926 to purchase the land at St Lucia which would become one of Australia's most attractive campuses.

James O'Neil Mayne (1861–1939) - University of Queensland Archives

James O'Neil Mayne (1861–1939) - University of Queensland Archives

Four years earlier, the Mayne family’s generosity had secured the site at Herston where the medical school was built.

A lot has changed since the Mayne family’s donations, but the importance of philanthropy has not.

While we have the research expertise, passion and determination to succeed, it is donors who help us progress from good to great.

Philanthropy enables us to recruit the most talented teachers and researchers, to provide exceptional learning opportunities in the classroom and laboratory, and to create change—not just in Queensland, but worldwide.

Giving can have an extraordinary impact on
both education and research.

Our alumni, researchers, educators, and clinicians are internationally renowned.

UQ has produced almost 100 Rhodes scholars, provided scholarships to exceptional students in need, and is taking great strides toward addressing global health issues such as antimicrobial resistance, skin cancer, mental health, diabetes and obesity.

Our philanthropic partners play a crucial role in achieving these outcomes.

Not If, When - the Campaign to Create Change is our first university-wide fundraising endeavour.

Launched in October, it is raising funds to elevate the great work being done across our University and I'm proud the Faculty of Medicine is helping to lead the way.

Gardasil vaccine co-creator Professor Ian Frazer is chairing The Campaign along with his wife Caroline.

Alumnus Dr Paul Eliadis, co-founder of ICON Cancer Care, and generous Faculty supporter Dr Xiao-Yi Sun, are serving on the campaign committee.

Dr Xiao-Yi Sun, Caroline Frazer, Professor Ian Frazer and Dr Paul Eliadisat the campaign launch.

Dr Xiao-Yi Sun, Caroline Frazer, Professor Ian Frazer and Dr Paul Eliadis
at the campaign launch.

Their accomplishments, leadership and vision will help the Faculty chart a new course for the future through:

· Empowering student success - through more resources for scholarships, accommodation and opportunities for international experience

· Transforming teaching and learning - through attracting and retaining the best academic leaders and improving learning environments

· Driving discovery and impact - through our research strengths.

We invite you to join us as a philanthropic partner.

Philanthropy isn’t about giving to UQ, it is about giving through UQ to further your values and interests.

Gifts of all sizes are valued, and every dollar makes a difference— for our students and for our community.

I hope you’ll consider making an investment in the UQ program that resonates with you.

If you already give through UQ, I thank you for your partnership.

It has been a busy period for the Faculty and I have enjoyed the challenges of leading such an important cog in the wheel of UQ.

The work happening across teaching and research positions us to make a continued impact.

It has been a privilege to fill the Executive Dean (ED) position on an acting basis for the past 19 months.

I am pleased to advise the Vice Chancellor has commenced the recruitment process for a permanent ED.

We hope the appointee will join the Faculty by mid-2018.

When I head to Sydney to start a new position next year, I'll leave with a renewed appreciation of the talented staff and alumni who call the Faculty home.

Professor Robyn Ward AM
Acting Executive Dean
Faculty of Medicine

This story is featured in the Summer 2017 edition of UQMedicine Magazine. View the latest edition here. Or to listen, watch, or read more stories from UQ’s Faculty of Medicine visit our content hub, MayneStream.