About Us: History of the GMRF

History of the GMRF

Background – Research at Greenslopes

 

In 1970, Greenslopes Hospital (the the Repatriation General Hospital) became a teaching hospital of the University of Queensland with research commencing in that year. The Repatriation Commission recognised that research is an integral part of a successful teaching hospital, contributing to the development of knowledge about health and diseases, enriching the clinical environment, promoting a culture of enquiry and resulting in advances in patient care. At an early stage the Repatriation Commission established fully functioning research laboratories. In 1987, the Repatriation Commission developed a purpose-built laboratory to further foster research on campus and replaced the previous research laboratories.

In the following years, Greenslopes Hospital became internationally renowned for its research into hypertension and in particular, primary aldosteronism. The Hospital also undertook significant research in many other areas of endeavour including endocrinology (Cushing's Syndrome), colorectal disease, coronary heart disease, respiratory disease, oncology, diabetes, pain management, obesity and mental health.

The Greenslopes Private Hospital Veterans' Research Foundation was launched at Greenslopes Private Hospital in 1997.

The Gallipoli Medical Research Foundation, launched in May 2005, took over the activities of the Greenslopes Private Hospital Veterans' Research Foundation. The name Gallipoli is above politics and is part of Australian folklore. It is one of the few words spoken in Australia with something approaching reverence. Gallipoli reflects the Anzac tradition of ingenuity, mateship, courage and perseverance. We will endeavour to demonstrate these attributes so that the Gallipoli Medical Research Foundation serves as a lasting memorial to our forebears.

The relaunch of the Foundation represented a new era for research at Greenslopes Private Hospital.

Our Logo

 

In Memory of Simpson & his Donkey

The Gallipoli Medical Research Foundation logo includes a representation of Simpson and his donkey, a well known and much loved icon that epitomises the sacrifice made by our brave service personell at Gallipoli and in many conflicts since that tragic but heroic chapter in our history. The commitment, dedication and selflessness that enabled Simpson to go out, time and again, to rescue his wounded comrades encourages us to strive towards excellence in medical research so that others can benefit in this generation and generations to come.

John Simpson Kirkpatrick was born on 6 July 1892 and lived until age sixteen in South Shields, Tyneside, UK. One of a family of seven including his father, Robert, a merchant navy seaman and Sarah, his mother who also worked as a domestic housekeeper, John's young life was difficult. Food was scarce, the neighbourhood was poor and the family moved frequently. His father passed away, five years after he left the navy because of injury. John was 17. He had left school at 12 to take up work as a "milk-float boy". He worked with a dappled grey pony who became his close friend; others remarking on the fact that John talked to the pony like he would another human being.

When his father died, John went to sea and on his second ship he came to Australia. He worked for four years, on coastal shipping vessels and he tried can cutting and horse-mounted stock work in Northern Queensland. These latter jobs each lasted only a matter of days; John found the heat and the humidity intolerable. When war broke out in 1914, he was one of the first to enlist in Perth where he joined the 3 Australian Field Ambulance as a stretcher bearer.

The legend of Simpson's deeds at Gallipoli was forged in only 24 days at Anzac Cove. It is believed that he rescued and retrieved more than 300 casualties, sometimes as many as 20 in one day, many under conditions of mortal risk to himself.

On 19 May 1915, while making his fourth rescue of the day under heavy fire, he was killed instantly by machine gun fire at a point known as Bloody Angel in Shrapnel Gully. His donkey, "Duffy" still carrying the wounded soldier returned alone to the Advanced Dressing Station of 3 Field Ambulance.

Acknowledgement: Professor John Pearn AO, Professor of Paediatrics and Child Health University of Queensland and Major General (Rtd.)