Thynne + Macartney breaking down barriers for medical research

Thynne + Macartney is committed to the Queensland community and has been deeply embedded in the State’s history since 1893. The partnership with GMRF creates an opportunity for Thynne + Macartney to give back.

“Our management team spent some time exploring how we wanted to engage with the community, but when we came across Gallipoli Medical Research Foundation, we knew it was the right fit,” Bill Loughnan, Chairman of Partners said.

GMRF fund and facilitate medical research to prevent, cure or lessen the impact of diseases affecting the veteran and broader Australian community. Due to the support received from the Hospital and the income generated by the award winning Clinical Trial Unit, 100% of every dollar donated is spent on research.

“We found their commitment to the veteran community particularly interesting as one of our founders, Andrew Thynne, was Chairman of the Recruiting Committee during World War I and played an instrumental role in the beginnings of Anzac Day,” Bill Loughnan said.

The research GMRF is doing on PTSD, in partnership with RSL Queensland, has proven that as well as the mental toll, PTSD takes a physical toll on the body with those affected experiencing higher than normal incidences of heart attack, liver disease, gastrointestinal problems and sleep disorders.

“We were very interested in their Veteran Mental Health Initiative. We wanted to continue the firm’s tradition of supporting veterans by helping the Foundation continue to break new ground in the complicated area of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder,” Bill Loughnan said.

Thynne + Macartney also saw a number of advantages in forging a partnership with GMRF.

“We saw that our values align. Both organisations help people find more freedom, peace of mind and a better sense of control whether it’s around quality of life and health issues or their personal and business life. Also, Gallipoli Medical Research Foundation’s bequest program can benefit from the expertise and experience of our Wills & Estates professionals,” Bill Loughnan said.

This partnership involves a significant financial commitment over four years as well as pro bono work.

GMRF facilitate medical research across a broad spectrum including a Liver Research and Liver Cancer Unit, a Respiratory Research Unit, an Ophthalmology Research Unit and a Clinical Trials Unit. They also undertake Wounds Management Research as well as the PTSD initiative.

GMRF also fund the Gallipoli Medical Research Institute via donations from supporters, corporate partners and patients at Greenslopes Private Hospital. With world class laboratories as well as housing and funding the dedicated PTSD and Liver Units, GMRI provides grant funding and laboratory space to support research into diabetic retinopathy (diabetic blindness), pulmonary nontuberculous mycobacterial infections and bronchiectasis (respiratory disease) and offers a number of full and partial PhD scholarships.

GMRF dates back to 1970 when Greenslopes Hospital (formerly the Repatriation General Hospital) became a teaching hospital of the University of Queensland with research commencing that year. 1997 the Greenslopes Private Hospital Veterans’ Research Foundation was established and in 2005 the Gallipoli Medical Research Foundation was launched, taking over from the previous Foundation.