Rob Cameron

One of New Zealand’s leading investment bankers hopes to raise as much as $10 million to boost the GMRI’s research efforts.

Rob Cameron, who heads Cameron Partners, is one of this country’s most highly-regarded capital markets practitioners.

His remarkable track record includes chairing the Government’s Capital Markets Development Task Force, and assisting the birth of the Fonterra Shareholders’ Fund and the Government’s partial privatisation programme.

Made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the New Year’s honours list, Rob is now working closely with the GMRI on a novel philanthropic fund raising programme using capital markets techniques.

The Hon Tony Ryall with wife, Kara, and their daughter, Maisie

“The Gillies McIndoe Research Institute’s dream to use its knowledge about strawberry birthmarks to help destroy cancer is extremely powerful. And the co-location adjacent to Wellington Hospital recognises the enormous synergies possible when health science and research work together. The opportunities are indeed limitless.”

That’s the message from former Health Minister, The Hon Tony Ryall, who visited the GMRI with his family just before Christmas.

“It was really a great pleasure to visit with Swee Tan and the team to celebrate their first birthday on site,” Tony says.

Lady Deane and Sir Roderick with GMRI summer students from left, Ranui Baillie, Emily Keane, Max Blackwell, Dr Swee Tan and GMRI Chair, Paul Baines, Elysia Tan, Lucy Sulzberger and Sam Siljee

One of New Zealand’s best known philanthropists is “terribly impressed” with the young students who have completed this year’s summer student programme at the GMRI.

Lady Deane visited the GMRI in late January to present certificates to the summer students who, she says, “should all be Young New Zealanders of the Year, they are so impressive”.

“These students are very excited about what they have achieved and learned over the summer break while being mentored at the GMRI.”

The programme allows the students to undertake projects at the GMRI, under the supervision and guidance of Dr Tan and his colleagues, from early November until the end of January, when they return to university studies.

Johnsonville Lions Club member and former president, Jim Ng

The Johnsonville Lions Club has selected the GMRI as the focus for the Club’s 2015 fund raising campaign.

Club member and former president, Jim Ng, says the Club undertakes year-long funding campaigns for ‘worthy causes’.

“The GMRI certainly falls into that category,” Jim says.

“They are doing things totally differently and they deserve our support.”

The Club selected the GMRI after visiting the facility in Newtown late last year and receiving a presentation from Dr Tan.

“Our members get a lot of satisfaction from raising money for organisations that make a difference,” Jim says.

Left to right – NZCT Grants Manager, Tony Gill, GMRI Chief Scientific Officer, Dr Paul Davis, NZCT Wellington Regional Advisory Committee Chairman, Paul Elenio, NZCT Chief Executive, Mike Knell, NZCT Compliance and Regulatory Manager, Rae Mazengarb, NZCT Chairman, Alan Isaac and Dr Swee Tan

In 2013, New Zealand Community Trust (NZCT) acknowledged the value of the GMRI’s work by entering into a three year funding arrangement with the GMRI.

There are two reasons this is significant – medical research is not NZCT’s typical funding space and NZCT only makes multi-year grants in exceptional circumstances.  Chief Executive, Mike Knell, explains why the trust chose to support GMRI.

“NZCT is the largest funder of amateur sport in New Zealand with more than 80% of the $40 million we distribute annually going to sports organisations,” Mike says.

Therese Featherston

Therese Featherston is about to turn 18.  This year she’s off to Auckland University to study biomedical sciences.  She wants to be a doctor and to develop a career in medical science research.

Last year she was placed first in the Year 11-13 class of the NIWA Wellington Regional Science and Technology Fair, and she received the Genesis Energy Leadership Award after participating in the Realise The Dream National Science Fair, which is supported by the Royal Society of New Zealand.