MESSAGE FROM THE ACTING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
For any organisation, turning 100 is a remarkable achievement. It is especially significant for a research institute which began after the First World War, during a time of uncertainty and austerity. It was the vision and tenacity of two men in particular which helped to build what was originally known as the Institute of Pathological Research of NSW and is today the Kolling Institute. It is the longest-running medical research institute in New South Wales, and has held a key role in research activities for a century. This is an extraordinary milestone and one worth celebrating. This newsletter gives an insight into the first years of the Kolling, the dynamic people who helped to drive the institute and its early research facilities, a stark contrast from today’s infrastructure and technological advances. We discover more around the humble beginnings of the institute, where a small workman’s cottage at Royal North Shore Hospital housed the original research activity and very basic facilities. The newsletter highlights the tremendous contribution of director Dr Wilson Ingram, who established the first diabetic clinic in Australia. A remarkable man, he accompanied Sir Douglas Mawson on two Antarctic expeditions as medical officer and research scientist.
We learn about the infrastructure improvements and the generous philanthropic funding from local resident Eva Kolling, which was crucial to the development of the Kolling building. There are insights too into the incredible partnership between Wilson Ingram and Assistant Director Max Lemberg, a partnership which lasted nearly 40 years and instigated tremendous change. As we celebrate 100 years of research excellence at the Kolling, it’s important to not only recognise the pioneers, but the many people who have helped to bring the Kolling to where it is today, the hundreds of researchers, support personnel and executive teams. I would like to acknowledge your efforts to deliver quality research and better health outcomes. I would also like to highlight the dedication of past directors Rob Baxter and Jonathan Morris and current Executive Director Carolyn Sue, who are all driven by a life-long commitment to medical research and improving patient care. You have been instrumental in developing the Kolling as a centre of translational research excellence. Today, the Kolling has hundreds of experienced and dedicated researchers, investigating some of the biggest health challenges of our time from heart disease and musculoskeletal conditions to chronic pain and genetic conditions.
Many of our researchers are world leaders in their field, combining clinical roles within Royal North Shore Hospital with research positions within the Kolling. These roles inform each other, and importantly, ensure our research leads to the best health and patient outcomes. I would like to thank Royal North Shore Hospital’s archivist Catherine Storey for her special contribution to this newsletter and her invaluable knowledge of the history of the Kolling. It is remarkable that we have such a good collection of high quality images from nearly a hundred years ago, and I would like to acknowledge Catherine and her team for their work with the Royal North Shore Hospital Archive and Heritage Collection. Through the detailed and authentic historical record, we have a clearer understanding of the Kolling’s first pivotal years and the pioneering men and women who supported the Kolling, and established its reputation for research excellence. That reputation continues today and will be consistently strengthened with our current impressive team of researchers.
Professor Chris Little Acting Executive Director
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KOLLINGNEWS | DECEMBER 2020
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