Queensland Governor and philanthropist appointed as Fellows

Queensland Governor, His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC, philanthropist Chuck Feeney and construction project manager John Parnell have been made Fellows of the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute.

QIMR Berghofer’s Director and CEO, Professor Frank Gannon, said that like an honorary doctorate, appointment as a Fellow of the Institute was conferred on outstanding individuals who made a significant contribution to the Institute.

“QIMR Berghofer has appointed the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC in recognition of his contribution during his previous role as Chair of the QIMR Berghofer Council,” Professor Gannon said.

“His Excellency brought wisdom, balance and intelligence to his role as Chair and his legacy remains.

“In his new role as Patron of QIMR Berghofer, he is continuing his commitment to the Institute and medical research generally.”

QIMR Berghofer has also appointed legendary US philanthropist Chuck Feeney as a Fellow. Mr Feeney’s first donation in Australia was made to QIMR Berghofer and he has given a total of $233 million to biomedical research in Queensland.

Professor Gannon said that in over a decade Mr Feeney had given more than $58 million to QIMR Berghofer.

“Mr Feeney’s extraordinarily generous contributions have been crucial in allowing QIMR Berghofer to discover and develop new and better ways of diagnosing, treating and preventing cancer and other diseases.

“His generosity is helping us to improve human health, not just in Australia, but worldwide.”

A third Fellowship was conferred on John Parnell, who managed the design, construction, upgrade and integration of the Institute’s premises at Herston in Brisbane.