In September 2004, staff and supporters farewelled Professor Bob Williamson AO FRS FAA, who retired after almost 10 years as Director of MCRI. A scientific symposium was held in Bob's honour, at which colleagues and prominent scientists, including Sir Gustav Nossal, spoke about Bob's contribution to medical research and the MCRI. The MCRI Board of Directors hosted a dinner at the Australian Club, and presented to Bob an Aboriginal painting by Samuel Namundja as a farewell gift.

Robyn O'Hehir and Mimi Tang	Bob Williamson with Health Minister Bronwyn Pike	Colin Masters and Sir Gustav Nossal	Dame Elisabeth Murdoch
Deputy Chair Bill Hodgson presents Bob Williamson with his farewell gift, a Samuel Namundja painting	Michael Kantor with Karina and David Calvert-Jones	Professor David Pennington and Professor Richard Smallwood