Mr Laurence G Cox AO has retired as Chairman of Murdoch Childrens Research Institute after 25 years of service.
Laurie joined the Institute as a founding director in 1985, becoming Chairman in 1993.
His major achievements included overseeing the Institute’s capital fund, the merger of the Murdoch Institute with the Royal Children’s Research Institute in 2000 and helping to secure a $50 million Federal Government infrastructure grant for the redevelopment of Murdoch Childrens’ space in the new Royal Children’s Hospital.
Laurie said it had been an exciting and rewarding journey to help the Institute grow from a handful of staff to a team of more than 1000.
“It was a privilege to be invited to join Murdoch Childrens and to have the opportunity to help it become one of Australia’s leading medical research institutes and undoubtedly a world leader in child health research,” he said.
“Being Chairman of a scientific not-for-profit organisation has been quite a different experience to my business life. Working with scientific researchers, university academics and hospital clinicians has been a great learning curve.
“There have been significant challenges at times, but they have been overcome in the pursuit of excellence.
“We can all be very proud of the success and growth of the Institute. My role as Chairman has been incidental and our achievements would not have been possible without a strong commitment from many people.”
Murdoch Childrens director Professor Terry Dwyer thanked Laurie for his contribution.
“Having led growth and change to enable Murdoch Childrens to become what it is today, he will leave an enduring legacy as our researchers continue to create knowledge to improve the health and happiness of children.”
Murdoch Childrens also acknowledges the contributions of four outgoing board directors – Jane Fenton, Peter Griffin, Richard Smallwood and Geoff Tregear – who have provided invaluable expertise to ensure the ongoing success of the Institute.
Leigh Clifford will succeed Mr Cox as Chairman from December 2009. Mr Clifford is currently Chairman of Qantas and a director of Barclays Bank.
