Queen’s Birthday Honours for a QIMR ambassador

The Queensland Institute of Medical Research has congratulated its long-time Ambassador, Rupert McCall, on being named in today’s Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

QIMR nominated Mr McCall for an award in the Order of Australia in recognition of more than a decade of volunteering his time and talents to support and promote medical research.

“This is a much deserved honour for a great Australian,” QIMR Acting Director Professor Greg Anderson said.

“As volunteers, QIMR ambassadors are our true champions in the community, and Rupert is outstanding in this role.

“He has tremendous community spirit and inspires others to make a positive difference in the world. He willingly donates hours of his time and talents to QIMR every year.”

Rupert McCall may be best known as a poet, but is also a writer, journalist, lawyer and humanitarian.

He regularly hosts QIMR events, helps fundraising efforts, was a member of the inaugural Rio Tinto Ride to Conquer Cancer Committee and promotes QIMR in the media.

He has also written several poems about QIMR’s work, including “Day of the Stem Cell”, “The Ballad of Building Hope” and “Just Call me Clive” in honour of philanthropist and long-time QIMR supporter, Clive Berghofer OAM.

“It is ironic that I, as a scientist, am trying to find the right words to adequately thank a wordsmith like Rupert McCall. I can only resort to a heartfelt thank you,” Professor Anderson said.

For more on Rupert McCall, visit his website http://rupertmccall.com.au/