On Thursday 24 July, the College of Medicine and Public Health (CMPH) welcomed over 100 guests to the Health and Medical Research Building (HMRB) for an afternoon tea to recognise and thank those who support education, research and student success at Flinders University.
Held in the HMRB Seminar Rooms, the Appreciation Afternoon Tea brought together donors, bequestors, scholarship recipients, non-financial supporters and Emeritus Professors for a warm and engaging event. Guests were welcomed by MCs Professor Karen Lower (Dean, Education) and Associate Professor Andrew Makkink (Discipline Lead, Paramedicine), who acknowledged the profound influence of community support on the college’s mission to improve health outcomes through research and education.
Following a Welcome to Country by Petiola Wilson, Vice President and Executive Dean, Professor Jonathan Craig, opened proceedings, highlighting the importance of philanthropy in the College’s ability to drive meaningful change. He invited interested guests to join a short tour of the HMRB after the event, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the research underway.
Associate Professor Courtney Ryder then spoke about the significance of culturally safe education, reinforcing the value of inclusion and diversity in public health and medicine.
The powerful impact of scholarships was brought to life through heartfelt addresses from current students. Second-year medical student Kayla Vitale shared how financial support had eased the pressures of study and allowed her to stay focused on her future. She was followed by Luke Grundy, 2024 recipient of the David and Margaret Wattchow Research Travel Grant, who spoke of the opportunities this award has opened up for his research journey. This year’s grant recipients, Anthony Khoo and Aelon Rahmani, were also recognised, with Aelon delivering a few words of thanks.
After a short break for afternoon tea – with floral arrangements courtesy of The Flower Nook – guests returned for the second half of the program. Peter McDonald introduced his forthcoming book The Heaslip Bequest for Health, sharing the inspiring story of Gordon and Barbara Heaslip’s long-lasting legacy. He was followed by current Heaslip Fellow Collette Green, who offered insight into how the bequest is supporting her work today.
To close the formal proceedings, Professor Billie Bonevski, Dean of Research and Director of the Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute (FHMRI), shared reflections on the College’s current research priorities and achievements.
The event concluded with final remarks from Professor Craig, who thanked attendees for their generosity and encouragement. “Your contributions have been indispensable to our achievements,” he said. “It’s heartening to see how your support continues to shape futures and create lasting impact.”
