Forty years, built together

Long-time Burnet donor and retired trust manager Margaret has always believed you can learn a lot  about an organisation from its people. 

It was something she first thought about when looking for a care home for her mother. Rather than judging places by their buildings or facilities, she talked to the people who worked there. How long had they stayed? Were they happy?  Did they care about what they were doing?

Years later, as a guest at a Burnet International Women’s Day lunch, Margaret found herself noticing the same things as she chatted with Institute staff around the table.

“The people … have been here for so long, and they’re so passionate about what they do,” she says. “People are proud to work here, and happy to stay.” 

“Some institutes do research and then you don’t quite know what happens,” she says. “Burnet does the good research but then applies it.”

As Burnet celebrates its 40th anniversary, Margaret’s reflections are a reminder of what has sustained the Institute from the beginning: a shared sense of purpose and a community of people committed to making a difference.

Burnet was established in the 1980s, when the scientific, social and political challenges of the HIV epidemic seemed almost overwhelming. 

In response, Professor Ian Gust, then leading the virology laboratory at Fairfield Hospital, proposed an independent medical research institute that would reach beyond the laboratory to tackle complex public health challenges, ensuring the benefits of research reached the people who needed them most no matter how much they earned, where they lived or their cultural background.

Over the next four decades, generations of researchers and health leaders have dedicated themselves to that vision. Alongside them have been the donors – people from across Australia and around the world who have formed their own enduring relationships with Burnet.

For retired microbiologist and donor Elizabeth, it’s always been about seeing research put to work.

Andrea and Leigh were drawn to Burnet for much the same reason. Their support for the decade-long Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies program reflects their belief that research takes time and patience and should lead to real-world change.

"We know there’s a really high chance that the research we’re funding will have real impact,” says Leigh. “Not just another citation, but lives being saved.”

After years of connection with Burnet, donors Chris and Laurie have named the Institute as one of the major beneficiaries of their estate.

“The organisation is so well managed and the people who are doing the managing are so good at their jobs,” says Laurie, who spent most of his life working in finance. “It gives us a lot of confidence that this organisation is really worth supporting.”

Forty years is a significant milestone for the Institute, built on the individual commitments of Margaret, Elizabeth, Leigh, Andrea, Chris, Laurie – and countless others. Whether you’ve supported Burnet for decades or have only just joined us, thank you for being part of those 40 years.