Conducted by local elder, Uncle Steve, in the entrance of the five-storey building, the indigenous “cleansing” practice prepared the institute for the arrival of 200 researchers from hospitals across south-west Sydney.
The Ingham Institute of Applied Research will act as a focus for both new research, and for research currently being conducted at Liverpool, Campbelltown, Bankstown, Fairfield and Bowral hospitals.
Completion of the institute’s new research building marks the first stage of the research precinct at Liverpool Hospital with the next stage expected by November.
In the meantime, the institute, funded by the Australian government, will be officially opened in October.
“We’re absolutely delighted with the finished result of the new research building,” said Terry Goldacre, chairman of the institute.
“The institute houses some of Australia’s finest research talent who conduct medical research specific to our seven research streams including cancer research, cardiovascular disease, community and population health, early years, infectious and inflammatory disease, injury and mental health.”
Amanda Larkin, CEO, of the South Western Sydney Local Health District, congratulated the institute on the completion of a world-class research facility.
“The Ingham Institute’s newly completed research building is an important resource for Liverpool Hospital and the wider health district in south west Sydney (and) it will make a significant contribution to improving public health outcomes for critical disease areas affecting the local community,” she said in a prepared statement.
The Ingham Institute’s founding benefactors, the Ingham brothers Bob and Jack (who died in 2003), owners of the Liverpool-based Ingham Enterprises, made a commitment, in January 1996, to establish the institute, which marked the beginning of their on-going support.
The Inghams had a long held vision for a research facility for south west Sydney, linking clinical health services and universities to clinical practice.
The purpose-built facility operates as collaboration between the South Western Sydney Local Health District, the University of Western Sydney and the University of New South Wales, and facilitates cutting-edge research which has application domestically and on the world stage.
