History
The Beginning
The oldest medical research institute in Australia, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute was established in 1915 with money from a Trust set up by the widow of the wealthy Walter Hall, a successful transport, livestock and mining pioneer.
The vision was for an Institute that 'will be the birthplace of discoveries rendering signal service to mankind in the prevention and removal of disease and the mitigation of suffering.’
The Patterson Years (1919-1923)
Dr Patterson managed the difficult post-war years, with a focus on infectious diseases in the Australian community such as influenza, pneumonia and tuberculosis.
The Kellaway Years (1924-1944)
Sir Kellaway steered the institute through the Great Depression, obtaining the first direct funding for medical research from the Commonwealth Government.
The Burnet Era (1944-1965)
Arguably one of the greatest scientists of the 20th Century, the Burnet era was characterised by major developments in virology and then immunology, culminating with the award of the Nobel Prize in 1960 to Sir Macfarlane Burnet.
The Nossal Era (1965-1996)
Sir Gustav Nossal, well regarded as an eminent immunologist and warrior for global health, increased the institute's scientific scope and size, nurturing new research programs and turning it into the institute we recognise today.
The Cory Era (1996-2009)
Professor Cory pushed the institute to the frontline of the biotechnology revolution, embracing new disciplines of bioinformatics, structural biology and medicinal chemistry and emphasising translation of institute discoveries.
WEHI Revisited
In 2005, to celebrate the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute's's 90th birthday, five institute personalities were interviewed about their association with the institute. Through WEHI Revisted you can hear Sir Gustav Nossal, Professor Donald Metcalf, Professor Jacques Miller, Professor Ian Mackay and Ms Margaret Holmes share their childhoods, recall the spur to pursue science and reflect upon their careers at the institute.
Historical references
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