FOUNDING THE SUNSHINE COAST MIND AND NEUROSCIENCE - THOMPSON INSTITUTE

A personal account on the First Anniversary Maxwell Bennett AO Chair of the Board

Frontispiece. The Sunshine Coast Mind and Neuroscience - Thompson Institute observed from Innovation Parkway in Birtinya.

CONTENTS

Contents ...... 5 Preface ...... 1 Note to the Reader ...... 3 2011 | Obtaining approval for the idea of an institute at USC: Vice- Chancellor and President Professor Greg Hill...... 5 2012 | Finding a chair for a foundation to raise funds: Sir Angus Houston AK, AFC (ret’d)...... 11 2013 | Maintaining enthusiasm for the institute concept: Mr Don Maconachie ...... 15 2014 | Showing the success of the Sydney Institute as a model: Mr Roy Thompson AC...... 17 2015 | Mr Roy Thompson AC funds the model: Chancellor Rev John Dobson OAM ...... 19 2016 | Obtaining USC infrastructure financial support but failure to obtain State Government support: Professor Greg Hill...... 33 2017 | Obtaining an MRI machine: Mr Roy Thompson AC ...... 37 2018 | Launching the ‘Sunshine Coast Mind and Neuroscience - Thompson Institute’: The Hon Greg Hunt MP ...... 41

PREFACE

The demographics concerning anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and suicide are poor at sites along the eastern coast of Australia, stretching from Maroochydore to Mackay. This was made evident to me by Mr John Mendoza, head of the mental health consulting practice ConNetica on the Sunshine Coast. He had invited me to speak at a symposium on the Sunshine Coast campus of the University there in early 2011, in my capacity as Founding Director of the Brain and Mind Research Institute at The University of Sydney 1 . This Institute was established from 2002-2006 on the unique idea of bringing together experts in neuroscience, neurology, psychology and psychiatry in the one setting, where both fundamental interdisciplinary research could be carried out and clinical support offered to patients with malaises of the brain and mind involving treatments informed by the latest research. It occurred to me that such an institute was needed on the Sunshine Coast, hosted by its University. I asked Mr Mendoza to contact the Vice- Chancellor and President, Professor Greg Hill, and enquire whether he and his executive would hear a presentation from me on such a possibility. It seemed to me unlikely that such a presentation would be successful, as a vice-chancellor with the strategic vision of Professor Gavin Brown AO at The University of Sydney when our Institute was established, is rare. The first great piece of luck was that Prof Hill was such a vice-chancellor, and he enthusiastically backed the project. As this brief history indicates, matters then became very difficult, as the raising of over $85 million from government and philanthropy in 2002-2006, was unlikely to be successful following the Global Financial Crisis of 2007-2008, together with the decline of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product following that of mining exports. Furthermore, a community leader of the caliber of Mr David Gonski AC, who led the

1 Bennett AO, Maxwell. Founding the Brain & Mind Research Institute A personal account on the 10th Anniversary. Sydney: The University of Sydney, 2013.

Preface 1 fundraising for the Sydney Institute, was very unlikely to be found for a relatively small community like that of the Sunshine Coast. However, as the following pages note, we again became very lucky when Mr Mendoza persuaded Sir Angus Houston AK, AFC (ret’d) to become chairperson of our fundraising foundation. Finally, although repeated approaches to government to fund the institute project were unsuccessful, given the stringencies of the state and federal government budgets at the time, we once more ‘struck gold’. A couple living on the Sunshine Coast of great generosity and commitment to the people there, Mrs Nola Thompson and Mr Roy Thompson AC, came to the rescue as described below, with a succession of magnificent financial gifts. The following is not an exciting narrative, and indeed quite boring to those who did not participate in the events that led to the founding of a new institute. There is also too much use of the personal pronoun, which cannot be avoided if a short personal account is to be given of the path we took in establishing the Institute. It is written to celebrate a remarkable group of individuals, Mrs and Mr Thompson together with Prof Hill and Sir Angus.

Professor Maxwell Bennett AO Chair of the Board, Sunshine Coast Mind and Neuroscience - Thompson Institute Founding Director, Brain and Mind Centre (formerly Brain and Mind Research Institute)

2 Founding the Sunshine Coast Mind and Neuroscience - Thompson Institute

NOTE TO THE READER

Over one hundred documents are in the archives of the Sunshine Coast Mind and Neuroscience - Thompson Institute from which I have chosen a few dozen to authenticate the narrative. Each of these has been given a number that is indicated at different appropriate sites in the text in parentheses. These documents are available on request.

Note to the Reader 3

4 Founding the Sunshine Coast Mind and Neuroscience - Thompson Institute

2011 | OBTAINING APPROVAL FOR THE IDEA OF AN INSTITUTE AT USC: VICE-CHANCELLOR AND PRESIDENT PROFESSOR GREG HILL

At the end of May, I pledged finance for Mr John Mendoza’s colleague Mr Steven Niemiec to have documents, previously prepared for the establishment of the Brain and Mind Research Institute, to use as a template for a 20-page brochure on the future of what I called the Queensland Mind and Neuroscience Institute (QMNI). A down payment was then provided to fund the first draft of this brochure (see documents 2011/1 to 2011.8 henceforth 11.1 to 11.8). Mr Mendoza, who lives on the Sunshine Coast, then sought direct confirmation from Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Greg Hill (Figure 1), that the QMNI brochure set forth an accurate vision of what we had previously expressed at the original presentation to the Vice-Chancellor and President’s Executive. The Vice-Chancellor and President gave a very positive response (11.2 and 11.4). Subsequently, in June, the new Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation, Professor Roland De Marco, approved the draft of the QMNI document, which at that stage was in the form ready for further professional development. The QMNI document, by the end of June, had gone through several iterations involving further input from Prof De Marco, Mr Niemiec, Mr Mendoza (Figure 2) and myself (Figure 3), all facilitated by the Director of USC’s Office of the Vice-Chancellor and President (formerly Director, Executive Projects Unit), Mr Don Maconachie (Figure 4). This now included the Brain and Mind Research Institute (Sydney) and the Orygen Institute (Melbourne), as supporting partners (11.5). This document refers to Mr Mendoza and Professor Maxwell Bennett AO as the persons to be contacted by those interested in supporting the venture. Mr Mendoza then sought a further meeting with the Vice-Chancellor and President, Prof Hill, seeking final approval for the venture and mentioning Prof Bennett and himself as “being the originating partners” (11.6, 11.7). This final QMNI document was approved on the 13th of

2011 | Obtaining approval for the idea of an institute at USC: Vice-Chancellor and 5 President Professor Greg Hill

September and gave as contacts for future development of the proposal Mr Maconachie, Mr Mendoza and Prof Bennett (11.9, 11.10). In order to move the QMNI idea along, the University approved the formation of a QMNI Steering Group, consisting of Mr Niemiec, Mr Mendoza, Jean McGreevy and myself (11.11).

Figure 1 The Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Greg Hill, shown opening the main building of the Sunshine Coast Mind and Neuroscience - Thompson Institute in early 2018. Prof Hill made a commitment to establish an installation devoted to the amelioration of maladies of the brain and mind in 2011, and through many vicissitudes detailed here in this document, held firm until it was finally realised on this occasion.

6 Founding the Sunshine Coast Mind and Neuroscience - Thompson Institute

Figure 2 Mr John Mendoza, Head of ConNetica, a commercial business on the Sunshine Coast for promoting mental health programs, and a former chair of the Mental Health Council of Australia. He frequently promoted and ran two-day symposia on different aspects of mental health at USC Sunshine Coast. It was at one of these, held in early 2011, that Professor Max Bennett AO was invited to speak on neurobiological aspects of mental illness. At this time Prof Bennett became aware, through Mr Mendoza, of the terrible demographics of the Sunshine Coast as regards mental health and suggested to him a meeting with the Vice-Chancellor and President to establish an institute like that in Sydney for which Prof Bennett had been the foundation director, called the Brain and Mind Research Institute.

2011 | Obtaining approval for the idea of an institute at USC: Vice-Chancellor and 7 President Professor Greg Hill

Figure 3 Prof Bennett, speaking at the opening of the Sunshine Coast Mind and Neuroscience - Thompson Institute in early 2018, on which occasion he had the opportunity of drawing the parallel between the founding of the Brain and Mind Research Institute at The University of Sydney and that of the Sunshine Coast Mind and Neuroscience - Thompson Institute. In each case, three exceptional individuals were needed to support the establishment of these institutes: one, a great vice-chancellor, one remarkable chair of the supporting foundation and finally a committed government or philanthropist in order for these institutes to prosper. At Sydney, these were Prof Gavin Brown AO, Mr David Gonski AC and several philanthropists and government figures such as Mr Tom Cropper and Premier Morris Iemma and Prime Minister John Howard. In the case of the Sunshine Coast Mind and Neuroscience - Thompson Institute, they were Prof Hill, Sir Angus and Mr Thompson.

8 Founding the Sunshine Coast Mind and Neuroscience - Thompson Institute

Figure 4 Mr Don Maconachie, Director of USC’s Office of the Vice- Chancellor and President (formerly Director, Executive Projects Unit), who facilitated with great enthusiasm the many meetings of the Steering Group and also our foundation meetings concerned with design and business plan development for the Institute. His unfailing support and generosity of spirit, sometimes in the face of poor health, was of great importance to the eventual success of the project.

2011 | Obtaining approval for the idea of an institute at USC: Vice-Chancellor and 9 President Professor Greg Hill

10 Founding the Sunshine Coast Mind and Neuroscience - Thompson Institute

2012 | FINDING A CHAIR FOR A FOUNDATION TO RAISE FUNDS: SIR ANGUS HOUSTON AK, AFC (RET’D)

At the end of 2012 the University took responsibility for the Steering Group, which was reconstituted to represent the central place of the University of the Sunshine Coast (USC) in the proposal. This consisted of Professor Joanne Scott (Pro Vice-Chancellor of Engagement, formerly Executive Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Business and Law), Prof De Marco (Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation), Professor John Bartlett (Executive Dean of the Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering), Mr Steven Brown (Economic Futures Australia), Mr Maconachie (Director of the Office of the Vice- Chancellor President, formerly Director, Executive Projects Unit), Mr Mendoza (ConNetica) and myself, with Mr Michael (Mick) Palmer AO joining the Steering Group in March. This Steering Group then met on several occasions, up to and including the 3rd of April, seeking ways to obtain financial support from the community and the government for the QMNI proposal. Mr Mendoza suggested to the Steering Group that he approach Sir Angus (Figure 5), who was about to retire as the Chief of the Defence Force (2005-2011), to chair a QMNI foundation committee to raise funds (12.1). Sir Angus agreed to become chair, this being only three of over 50 invitations seeking support from him that he felt able to accept. He then made himself available to guide us on subsequent meetings of the committee on the 14th of August, 23rd of October, 27th of November and the 20th of December (12.4, 12.5). In mid-October, Sir Angus presented a revised QMNI prospectus for a “Mind and Neuroscience Institute” to the Anzac Centenary Committee Advisory Board, of which he was Chair. Following his suggestion, the QMNI proposal was further revised to incorporate a centre for those with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). On the 28th of November, I presented this idea to the Secretary of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and his key staff, on their visit to the Brain and Mind Research Institute in Sydney. Sir Angus then decided that I should brief the revised QMNI proposal, incorporating a PTSD centre, to the Anzac Centenary

2012 | Finding a chair for a foundation to raise funds: Sir Angus Houston AK, AFC (ret’d) 11

Committee Advisory Board, which I did on the 29th of November, with Sir Angus in the Chair. Subsequently, the Anzac Centenary Committee Advisory Board recommended a PTSD institute in their final submission to the government concerning the celebration of Anzac. It received lukewarm support as it was not favored by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.

12 Founding the Sunshine Coast Mind and Neuroscience - Thompson Institute

Figure 5 Sir Angus Houston AK, AFC (ret’d), who chose to take up the role of chairman of what was then called the Queensland Mind and Neuroscience Institute Foundation amongst over 50 other invitations that he received on retiring in 2016 as Chief of the Defence Force (2005-2011). Luckily for us, Mr John Mendoza had been alerted to the retirement of Sir Angus and wrote to him concerning the Queensland Mind and Neuroscience Institute in 2012, not knowing of the passion which Sir Angus held for improvements in mental health. Subsequently, Sir Angus played a key role in persuading the great Sunshine Coast philanthropists Mrs Nola Thompson and Mr Roy Thompson AC, to fund the first stage of the Institute as well as obtaining funds from the Federal Minister for Health The Hon Greg Hunt MP to support both important mental health projects as well as personnel for the Institute.

2012 | Finding a chair for a foundation to raise funds: Sir Angus Houston AK, AFC (ret’d) 13

14 Founding the Sunshine Coast Mind and Neuroscience - Thompson Institute

2013 | MAINTAINING ENTHUSIASM FOR THE INSTITUTE CONCEPT: MR DON MACONACHIE

In April 2013, Mr Maconachie and Mr Mendoza developed an updated brochure for the new vision of the QMNI, with the foundation under the leadership of Sir Angus (13.1, 13.2), which they asked me to comment on (13.3). The official establishment of the QMNI foundation was then put in place in the middle of the year by the Vice-Chancellor and President, Prof Hill, with the aim of the foundation “to guide the development, strategic positioning and resourcing of the institute with the intention to intervene and greatly improve the prospects of those suffering from diseases of the brain and mind” (13.4). Prof Hill commented to me that “USC, in relationship with you and the Brain and Mind Research Institute at The University of Sydney, is an important one, which we highly value and look forward to further developing as the QMNI progresses” (13.4).

2013 | Maintaining enthusiasm for the institute concept: Mr Don Maconachie 15

16 Founding the Sunshine Coast Mind and Neuroscience - Thompson Institute

2014 | SHOWING THE SUCCESS OF THE SYDNEY INSTITUTE AS A MODEL: MR ROY THOMPSON AC

A delegation from USC visited the Brain and Mind Research Institute on the 8th of July to obtain an overview of what the foundation was aiming to achieve with the QMNI. This delegation consisted of Professor Mike Heffernan (Pro Vice-Chancellor of Engagement), Mr Russell Ousley (Director of the Development Office) and Ms Pamela Wardner with her husband, Mr Ty Wardner, of Wardner Developments (14.1). The most exciting progress towards establishing the QMNI, as far as I was concerned, was the first meeting I had with the significant philanthropist Mr Thompson (Figure 6), at the invitation of Sir Angus, during a lunch break of the Mental Health Symposium organised by Mr Mendoza at USC on the 27th of October (14.2). Sir Angus had already informed me that Mr Thompson had made a gift to Prof Hill and himself of $500,000 to ensure more detailed planning of the QMNI (14.2), which was subsequently organised by Dr Scott Snyder (Chief Operating Officer). Then in late December, I received drafts of a Business Module brochure, an Economic Impact statement and a Design Brief involving the architects Bates Smart for approval from Ms Julianne Bernhagen Manager, USC SouthBank (formerly Project Manager, Executive Projects Unit) (14.6).

2014 | Showing the success of the Sydney Institute as a model: Mr Roy Thompson AC 17

Figure 6 Mr Roy Thompson AC and Mrs Nola Thompson, the great philanthropists from the Sunshine Coast, without whose benefactions USC would not have prospered nearly as significantly as it has. More particularly, the identification of the building, which was originally named the Queensland Mind and Neuroscience Institute building, and subsequently the Sunshine Coast Mind and Neuroscience - Thompson Institute building, was due to Mr Thompson providing $7 million to acquire the original building. Without the support of Mr and Mrs Thompson, it is very unlikely that the Sunshine Coast Mind and Neuroscience - Thompson Institute would have eventuated at all.

18 Founding the Sunshine Coast Mind and Neuroscience - Thompson Institute

2015 | MR ROY THOMPSON AC FUNDS THE MODEL: CHANCELLOR REV JOHN DOBSON OAM

Possibly the most important event in the evolution of the QMNI project, from my perspective, occurred on the 15th of April 2015 when Mr Thompson, Sir Angus and the Chancellor of USC, Rev John Dobson OAM, visited the Brain and Mind Research Institute (Figure 7; 15.1, 15.5). It was clear to me that as I shared the concrete realisation of one institute idea, namely that of the Brain and Mind Research Institute buildings and functions, that Mr Thompson was impressed. He could now see the realisation of a QMNI on the Sunshine Coast. Following this very successful visit, the Chancellor of USC, Rev Dobson, asked me to set out staffing arrangements for the QMNI, and I did so in a letter to the Chancellor as follows (15.5): • four professors; • four associate professors; • eight post-doctoral fellows; • eight research assistants; • one secretary for the director’s unit; and • one personal assistant for the director’s unit.

At this time, I also approached the wonderful Mr Bruce Hawker. He had successfully lobbied the State Government of New South Wales through his firm Hawker Britton to obtain $48 million when we were establishing the Brain and Mind Research Institute. This was during its inaugural stage and involved negotiations with Mr Morris Iemma (former Premier of New South Wales). Mr Hawker facilitated us making contact with the then Queensland Minister for Health The Hon Cameron Dick MP at this time (15.3, 15.4). This meeting with the Minister and his adviser, attended by the Vice-Chancellor and President Prof Hill, the Chancellor Rev Dobson, and myself was not successful in gaining funds (see below). The Hon Dick MP could not identify to his satisfaction what services we might supply to the community (15.4).

2015 | Mr Roy Thompson AC funds the model: Chancellor Rev John Dobson OAM 19

Figure 7 Rev John Dobson OAM on the left, then Chancellor of USC, and Mr Roy Thompson AC, photographed by Professor Max Bennett AO on the balcony of the apartment of Mr Thompson. This was one of the many (five) successive Saturdays in August-September 2015 that Prof Bennett flew up from Sydney to Maroochydore to discuss with Mr Thompson the concept of the Queensland Mind and Neuroscience Institute. As well as to answer his questions on the feasibility of such a venture, modeled on the Sydney Brain and Mind Research Institute.

20 Founding the Sunshine Coast Mind and Neuroscience - Thompson Institute

Subsequently, on the 20th of April, with the sustained interest of Mr Thompson, I was asked by the Chancellor Rev Dobson to set out my vision of the larger responsibilities of the prospective QMNI to the country, which I did as follows (15.6):

My commitment in Queensland is to significantly contribute to the prevention of suicide, especially in the hot spots around Hervey Bay down to Maroochydore, and Cairns to Townsville. This is the top indicator of the general mental health in those areas. As you know, these are amongst the worse spots in the nation. To that end I initiated the Tropical Brain and Mind Research Foundation. The Tropical Foundation raised, with its then Chair General Sir Peter Cosgrove, AK, MC, significant funds in foetal alcohol prevention and is now raising funds to introduce the Family Wellbeing Program for suicide prevention in Townsville. I am strategically developing a relationship between the University of Notre Dame and the Townsville Tropical Brain and Mind Research Foundation, so the former might eventually take responsibility for the latter. Although the concept of the QMNI was much earlier than that of the Tropical Foundation, and I obtained access to Premier Bligh who was enthusiastic, her subsequent removal by the Newman landslide prevented that source of funding. I now have an appointment looming with The Hon Dick MP in the new government and we will see how that goes. The result of the QMNI stasis is that nothing has been done in the southern part of Queensland for suicide prevention using the latest armamentarium of approaches accessible through my colleagues. I therefore decided that as a matter of urgency, that funds were needed that would at least get two arms of this armamentarium going. All this is under Professor Luis Salvador Carulla of the Brain and Mind Institute who is guiding Mr Mendoza’s group in mapping the extent, quality and synergy of suicide prevention programs at Hervey Bay. The other is also under Prof Luis and Professor Komla Tsey, introducing the Family Wellbeing Program

2015 | Mr Roy Thompson AC funds the model: Chancellor Rev John Dobson OAM 21

into Hervey Bay. These approaches will start in the next fortnight and represent just the beginning of a determined movement of modern methodologies into Hervey Bay. My great hope is that the QMNI will become the focus of organisation of these and other mental health programs, both in Maroochydore as well as Gympie and Hervey Bay.

The Vice-Chancellor and President Prof Hill visited the Brain and Mind Research Institute for the first time, to my delight, on the 11th of June (15.10). This showed him the reality of a vision that I had placed before him in May 2011, of a QMNI modeled on the Brain and Mind Research Institute, for which he had maintained a steadfast commitment over four years. Perhaps the most important event that occurred over the four successive Saturday visits I made to Mr Thompson in Maroochydore from Sydney in May and June occurred on the 13th of June. Mr Thompson had alone identified a magnificent prospective institute building at 12 Innovation Parkway in Birtinya on the Sunshine Coast with ideal financial arrangements suggested by him after making an allocation of over $7 million to buy the building outright (15.11). Given the tremendous experience over many decades that Mr Thompson had in real estate and building, he was able to obtain the building for a very reasonable price. Matters then moved swiftly with Vice-Chancellor and President, Prof Hill, reporting very favorable negotiations with Mr Thompson and the Sunshine Coast Council to bring forward as fast as possible the realisation of the Institute (15.13) including how it would be financed, purchased and governed. Running in parallel with these negotiations with Mr Thompson were those still ongoing with the state Minister for Health Hon Dick MP facilitated by the senior Hawker Britton representative in Queensland, Eamonn Fitzpatrick (15.16). He confirmed a meeting for the 30th of July with the Minister just a week or so after Mr Thompson had committed himself to the institute concept. Also, at about this time, Mr Mendoza

22 Founding the Sunshine Coast Mind and Neuroscience - Thompson Institute kindly suggested that his firm ConNetica might become involved in identifying staff for the institute (15.17). The penultimate event in this QMNI saga, now known for short as the Thompson Institute, was announced by the Vice-Chancellor and President, Prof Hill, to the staff of USC on the 3rd of July as follows (15.18):

Dear Colleagues,

On Tuesday, the 20th of July, I signed the contract for the purchase of a property at 12 Innovation Parkway Birtinya. A three- storey building with around 4500m2 of floor space will become a home for what we have been calling the Queensland Mind and Neuroscience Institute (Figure 8). All going according to plan, we will occupy the building in late August. Funds for the purchase have been generously donated by local philanthropists, Roy and Nola Thompson (Figure 9). We will name the new hub, the mental health research, teaching and clinical services the “Sunshine Coast Mind and Neuroscience - Thompson Institute.” This is a wonderful outcome for the Sunshine Coast which is recognised as a hot spot for youth suicide and where there is a very large cohort of aging people who had their own mental health challenges. The Thompson’s, our dedicated partners, and USC have committed to addressing these issues. Some background on the Thompson Institute follows: In 2011, USC was approached by Prof Bennett of the Brain and Mind Research Institute of The University of Sydney, and Mr Mendoza of ConNetica and formerly a Senior Advisor of the Government on Mental Health, to pursue the establishment of a node of the Brain and Mind Research Institute in Sydney at USC. In response to this invitation, a project was established in the executive projects unit with the aim of establishing the feasibility of creating the QMNI. Over the ensuing years, several attempts were made to secure the funds to develop the infrastructure for the QMNI as a segway to appointing the high profile academics and commissions who will be required to undertake the uniquely integrated teaching, research and clinical activity model of the Brain and Mind Research Institute in Sydney. This includes a plan to make a bid to then Prime Minister, Julia Gillard AC, and

2015 | Mr Roy Thompson AC funds the model: Chancellor Rev John Dobson OAM 23

presentation of a concept for an Anzac centenary funding to Sir Angus, and a planned submission to the Regional Development Australia Fund through a collaboration with United Synergy. All of these approaches help to build the case and refine the concept, and eventually led to extensive discussions with the potential for philanthropic donor, progress through our Chancellor Rev Dobson, Prof Bennett and Sir Angus. This also lead to the establishment of the QMNI’s Foundation Board, the aim of which was to provide advice and play a leadership role in securing funding for senior appointments, research facilities and outreach activities in the Institute. The Foundation Board comprises of Sir Angus, Chair, Mr Palmer, Mr Bennett, Ms Jenny Morawska, Mr Mendoza, Mr Chris Raine, Professor Patrick McGorry AO and Dr Paul Alexander. This is a stellar cast of prominent Australians who are committed to ensuring the plan work, once an infrastructure base have been secured, and we now have that. In the meantime, Professor Doug Mahar commenced at USC as Head of the School of Social Sciences had immediately began working with the team to advance the course. This includes the appointment of Associate Professor Mathew Summers, whose specialty areas of knowledge include the neurophysiological assessment of children and adults for a range of disorders of brain function. In addition, he has extensive search experiences in the diagnosis of dementia in adults and the earlier detection of adults who have increased risk of developing dementia. We have now passed a major milestone, we have a home for the Sunshine Coast Mind and Neuroscience - Thompson Institute, and thanks to Roy and Nola, we will now concentrate on populating it with the very best talent and laboratories available and delivering the outcomes to our community.

Signed, Professor Greg Hill Vice-Chancellor and President

24 Founding the Sunshine Coast Mind and Neuroscience - Thompson Institute

Figure 8 The realisation of the quest to found an Institute dedicated to the amelioration of diseases of the brain and mind for residents of the Sunshine Coast: the Sunshine Coast Mind and Neuroscience - Thompson Institute, at 12 Innovation Parkway, Birtinya. Following acquisition of the building by Mr Roy Thompson AC, it was beautifully fitted out by USC as shown in figures 10, 11, 12 and 13.

2015 | Mr Roy Thompson AC funds the model: Chancellor Rev John Dobson OAM 25

Figure 9 On the occasion of Mrs Nola Thompson and Mr Roy Thompson AC receiving the premiere award for philanthropy in Queensland in 2018. Their recognition came due to handsome financial support of a number of capital works programs at USC Sunshine Coast. These included scholarships and many other community support programs. Shown, left to right, is the Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Greg Hill, Mr Roy Thompson AC, Mrs Nola Thompson and the Director of the Sunshine Coast Mind and Neuroscience - Thompson Institute, Professor Jim Lagopoulos.

26 Founding the Sunshine Coast Mind and Neuroscience - Thompson Institute

We had matters in hand for the building (Figures 10, 11, 12, 13, 14) and for the advertisement of a director, which Mr Maconachie had drafted (15.20). The specific duties of the director were set out as follows:

Position overview

The University of the Sunshine Coast is establishing the Queensland Mind and Neuroscience Institute, a multi-campus translation research institute with strong linkages to the Brain and Mind Research Institute at the University of Sydney. The Queensland Mind and Neuroscience is commencing with the establishment of a Sunshine Coast Mind and Neuroscience - Thompson Institute at Kawana, henceforth the Thompson Institute. The University of Sunshine Coast is seeking to appoint a director to lead and manage the clinical activity, research and post graduate teaching of the institute. The appointee will be expected to deliver the ambitious vision of the institute through outstanding academic leadership and performance as well as excellent organisational management.

Duties Added

1. Lead and manage the institute ensuring it has the staff, structure, systems and processes that will allow it to achieve its goals and make a significant contribution to the University of Sunshine Coast, as well as its partners in this endeavor. 2. Establish, develop and work constructively with the board, ensuring the institute has excellent governance and management structures and processes. 3. Lead and manage the development of the infrastructure and facilities required to support the clinics, research and teaching of the Institute, including the design and implementation of an appropriate and sustainable business model.

2015 | Mr Roy Thompson AC funds the model: Chancellor Rev John Dobson OAM 27

4. Develop the clinical services of the Institute, in collaboration with partners, thus increasing the quantity and quality of support available to the wider region of population, including diagnoses and treatments and hence using modern technology and techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging. 5. Develop and contribute to the research programs of the institute, impacting on the design and delivery of mental health services both nationally and internationally. 6. Design, develop and deliver innovative and attractive post graduate as well as undergraduate programs, and raise the standards of mental healthcare provided to the community.

Following an extensive search for the leading brain researcher in the area of brain and mind diseases, Professor Jim Lagopoulos was appointed (Figure 15). He had originally occupied a senior post in the Sydney Brain and Mind Research Institute, upon which the Thompson Institute was modeled. The selection committee that interviewed perspective candidates and made the appointment consisted of the Vice-Chancellor and President, Prof Hill (Chair), Prof Mahar, Mr Maconachie and Prof Bennett. This turned out to be a brilliant appointment for amongst his many talents Prof Lagopoulos was the leading expert on Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of patients with diseases of the brain and mind in Australia.

28 Founding the Sunshine Coast Mind and Neuroscience - Thompson Institute

Figure 10 The gutted interior on the ground floor, prior to it becoming the beautiful interior for patients waiting for access to clinical support (see figures 12 and 13).

Figure 11 The gutted ground floor space, ready for a concrete pour, to provide the foundations for the future magnetic resonance imaging machine (see figure 16).

2015 | Mr Roy Thompson AC funds the model: Chancellor Rev John Dobson OAM 29

Figure 12 The completed interior devoted to waiting rooms for patients.

Figure 13 The completed interior devoted to waiting rooms for patients.

30 Founding the Sunshine Coast Mind and Neuroscience - Thompson Institute

Figure 14 Office space for a senior researcher on brain diseases, showing the beautiful view available from the balcony. This office can be seen on the second floor in the corner of the Institute building, indicated in Figure 8.

2015 | Mr Roy Thompson AC funds the model: Chancellor Rev John Dobson OAM 31

Figure 15 In 2015, following an extensive search for a leading brain researcher in the area of brain and mind diseases, Professor Jim Lagopoulos was appointed. He had originally occupied a senior post in the Sydney Brain and Mind Research Institute, upon which the Sunshine Coast Mind and Neuroscience - Thompson Institute was modelled. The selection committee that interviewed prospective candidates and made the appointment consisted of the Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Greg Hill (Chair), the Head of the School of Social Sciences, Professor Doug Mahar, the Director of the Office of the Vice-Chancellor and President (formerly Director, Executive Projects Unit), Mr Don Maconachie and Professor Max Bennett AO. This turned out to be a brilliant appointment for amongst his many talents Prof Lagopoulos was the leading expert on magnetic resonance imaging of patients with diseases of the brain and mind in Australia.

32 Founding the Sunshine Coast Mind and Neuroscience - Thompson Institute

2016 | OBTAINING USC INFRASTRUCTURE FINANCIAL SUPPORT BUT FAILURE TO OBTAIN STATE GOVERNMENT SUPPORT: PROFESSOR GREG HILL

At the beginning of 2016, the Director-General of Queensland Health Michael Walsh informed me that the Queensland Government did not accept our submission for the funding of the Institute requested in a personal discussion with Hon Dick MP, the Minister for Health, as follows (also see above):

Letter to Prof Bennett from Michael Walsh, Director-General of Queensland Health As you may be aware, the Queensland Government has invested significantly and over a long period of time in the translation of mental health research into better patient outcomes. This has been through research institutes such as the Queensland Brain Institute and the Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research. These institutes were acknowledged as leaders in the fields of neurological disorders and mental health research and attract significant interest from agencies looking to partner with and leverage from, their skills and experience. I encourage you to investigate the potential for formal partnership with these groups. However, this disappointment was offset by the commitment of USC to a five-year budget covering several positions at the Institute as well as that of the costs of the Director on the 31st of March (16.2): a budget of $10 million. The main concern at this time was in relation to infrastructure, in particular for a MRI machine for noninvasive brain imaging of patients with major psychiatric and neurological disorders (Figure 16, 17, 18; 16.3).

2016 | Obtaining USC infrastructure financial support but failure to obtain State 33 Government support: Professor Greg Hill

Figure 16 The magnetic resonance imaging machine for scanning the brains of those suffering from diseases of the brain and mind and funded by Mr Roy Thompson AC and Mrs Nola Thompson with the sum of $3.6 million, and hence named The Nola Thompson Centre for Advanced Imaging. A patient is shown resting on the bed which is configured so that her head enters the donut of the magnetic resonance imaging machine for scanning. Two specialists, Post- Doctoral Fellow for Suicide Prevention, Dr Amanda Clacy and Senior Radiographer, Dr Natalie Winks are shown attending the patient.

34 Founding the Sunshine Coast Mind and Neuroscience - Thompson Institute

Figure 17 Mrs Nola Thompson and Mr Roy Thompson AC being interviewed in relation to their wonderful gift, which made the clinical and laboratory facility for the magnetic resonance imaging machine to be acquired and erected in 2017.

2016 | Obtaining USC infrastructure financial support but failure to obtain State 35 Government support: Professor Greg Hill

Figure 18 The recording of electrical waves from the brain provides insights into the location of pathological changes to brain function. Shown are two clinical researches locating cap electrodes on the head of a patient for making these scans, which are then visualised on a screen, shown in the electroencephalogram (EEG) laboratory.

36 Founding the Sunshine Coast Mind and Neuroscience - Thompson Institute

2017 | OBTAINING AN MRI MACHINE: MR ROY THOMPSON AC

By early 2017, Mr Thompson came to the rescue once more, setting out his conditions for the funding of the $3.6 million MRI machine. This required, first, that the name of the MRI facility be “The Nola Thompson Centre for Advanced Imaging” (Figure 17; 17.1) and secondly, that the Thompson Institute be governed by a board with the following stipulations (Figure 19):

1.0. Governance 1.1. It is imperative that the Thompson Institute is reconstituted as an autonomous entity within USC. 1.2. The establishment of an independent board that will control and oversee all of the Institute’s operations including but not limited to, its strategic direction and matters of finance. All decisions are to be made by the board. 1.3. The board will consist of Sir Angus Houston AK, AFC (ret’d), Professor Max Bennett AO, Professor Jim Lagopoulos and Roy Thompson AC. Prof Bennett is to be appointed as the Chairman of the Board. Prof Lagopoulos will remain as the Director of the Thompson Institute and oversee the day-to-day management of the Institute as well as implement the board’s decision. 1.4. Contact between the board and USC will be via the Vice- Chancellor and President Professor Greg Hill and with him only.

The Board met for the first time on the 19th of May having been duly incorporated and the certificate of registration as a company agreed upon (17.2): • First meeting of the Thompson Institute Board. • Constitution confirmed.

2017 | Obtaining an MRI machine: 37 Mr Roy Thompson AC

• Bank accounts confirmed. • Incorporation agreed upon. • Certificate of Registration of a Company.

This is to certify that the Thompson Institute Pty Ltd, Australian Company No. 618611000 is a registered company under the Corporations Act 2001 and is taken to be registered in Queensland.

The possibility of further exciting developments, involving capital works extensions of the Thompson Institute, were then floated at this time on the 28th June. The suggestion was to establish a research centre directed to PTSD, that would be physically joined to the Thompson Institute (Figure 20; 17.3): Extensions to the existing Thompson Institute in order to carry out research on PTSD were drawn up by Mr Thompson: 2000m2; new lift; airbridge linking to existing buildings; first floor consultation rooms and clinical space for returned service people; complement MRI in existing building; and not to exceed the height of the existing buildings.

Prof Hill, Mr Mark Bradley and Mr Duncan Thompson then met with Mr Thompson on the 5th of July 2017. He indicated that the estimation price of $13.61 million was higher than the $5 million he had anticipated. Matters were then deferred while other strategies were entertained by the indefatigable Mr Thompson.

38 Founding the Sunshine Coast Mind and Neuroscience - Thompson Institute

Figure 19 The first board meeting at the Sunshine Coast Mind and Neuroscience - Thompson Institute held at the Thompson Institute building. This board meeting occurred in 2017. The Board was established as a means of guiding the success of the Institute and to assist the Director in his deliberations. Shown here is the Secretary of the Board Ms Trudi Ashcroft, together with the Director, Professor Jim Lagopoulos, on the left and Mr Roy Thompson AC on the right.

2017 | Obtaining an MRI machine: 39 Mr Roy Thompson AC

Figure 20 The space behind these two buildings, shown to the right of this image, provides a footprint nearly as large as that of the Institute building itself. Plans are at present under way to use this as the site for an adjacent institute dedicated to the amelioration of post-traumatic stress disorder, with a bridge joining the two buildings. This would make the Sunshine Coast Mind and Neuroscience - Thompson Institute the first in the nation to be dedicated to the neurobiological origins of post-traumatic stress disorder and how to prevent them.

40 Founding the Sunshine Coast Mind and Neuroscience - Thompson Institute

2018 | LAUNCHING THE ‘SUNSHINE COAST MIND AND NEUROSCIENCE - THOMPSON INSTITUTE’: THE HON GREG HUNT MP

At the Thompson Institute Board meeting in early 2018, the recently appointed Director, Prof Lagopoulos, gave an exciting review of progress made in the past 12 months both in appointments to the staff and in his newly launched advocacy program as follows (18.1):

1st of March 2018. Meeting of the Board at which Prof Lagopoulos reports that the Society of Mental Health Research will be holding its meeting on the Sunshine Coast, also new appointments, new grants, research, advocacy, education. The background report provides a great image for the future of the Institute.

Noosa 2018. The site of the Society of Mental Health Research will be hosted by USC in 2018. The society is the premier Australasian mental health conference and our bid to host this conference was unanimously endorsed by the executive of the society and particularly by the president, Prof McGorry.

Staff New Appointments. The following new appointments have been made: Dr Adem Can, Psychiatrist; Post-Doctoral Fellow for Suicide Prevention, Dr Amanda Clacy; Senior Radiographer, Dr Natalie Winks; Research Associates, Ms Emma Jensen and Ms Marcella Parker; Client Liaison Officer, Ms Susan Schiotz; Consumer Service Coordinator, Ms Chérie McGregor; together with Dr Alexis Whitton of Harvard and Ms Cyrana Gallay from the University of Texas.

The building works associated with the MRI and research platform are nearly completed. The MRI was delivered on the 9th

2018 | Launching the ‘Sunshine Coast Mind and Neuroscience - Thompson Institute’: 41 The Hon Greg Hunt MP

of February 2018 and the placement of the machine went exactly to plan. The process of installing and wrapping up the machine has commenced and will take approximately three weeks. In the meantime, relevant staffs are undergoing safety and applications training in preparation of the platform going live.

Advocacy 1. We are engaging with Local Lived Experience Networks to identify a name for the centre and are about to begin work on a structure for a volunteer program to manage set opening times from July. 2. The first lived experience academics program meeting is next week. We have had eight people register with intention to attend and have discussions to link with USC unified program and the Consumer Led Research Network established by the New South Wales Mental Health Commissioner. 3. Our first community evening will be held on the 7th of March with the screening of “Crazywise” followed by panel discussions. 4. Chérie McGregor is presenting a 90-minute peer-supported open dialogue workshop at the March Compassion in Psychosis Conference and the May Agents of Change Peer Support Workforce Conference to be held in Brisbane.

42 Founding the Sunshine Coast Mind and Neuroscience - Thompson Institute

The Sunshine Coast Mind and Neuroscience - Thompson Institute was officially launched on the 2nd of May by the Minister of Health, as follows:

At 10:30am The Hon Greg Hunt MP arrived and was met by Sir Angus, the Chancellor of USC, by its Vice-Chancellor and President, Prof Hill, by the Director of the Thompson Institute, Prof Lagopoulos and by Mr Thompson and Mrs Thompson, the philanthropists responsible for the Institute (Figure 21). Prof Hill then delivered an official welcome followed by Prof Lagopoulos who indicated the importance of mental health research and sketched the research being done at the Institute. Then Prof Bennett, Chair of the Board of the Institute gave us a discussion of how the Institute was initiated and how he had attempted to pattern the Institute on his former work in establishing the Brain and Mind Research Centre at The University of Sydney. He was followed by Mr Andrew Wallace MP, the Federal Member for Fisher and the whole extremely interesting morning was completed by The Hon Hunt MP who stressed the importance of education and capacity building for mental health and neurologic research, teaching and clinical services and declared the institute officially open. This was, for me, the denouement of a seven-year journey, beginning in 2011 with my presentation to Vice-Chancellor and President, Prof Hill, and his Executive in May of that year, that the Sunshine Coast, with very poor demographics, needed a mind and neuroscience institute.

2018 | Launching the ‘Sunshine Coast Mind and Neuroscience - Thompson Institute’: 43 The Hon Greg Hunt MP

Figure 21 A photo bringing together some of the principal figures in the establishment of the Sunshine Coast Mind and Neuroscience - Thompson Institute at the time of the opening of the Institute in 2018. From left to right, Sir Angus Houston AK, AFC (Ret’d), Mr Roy Thompson AC, Mrs Nola Thompson, the Federal Minister for Health The Hon Greg Hunt MP, the Institute Director Professor Jim Lagopoulos, the Federal Member for Fisher, Mr Andrew Wallace MP, Professor Maxwell Bennett AO, and Ms Rosanna Natoli, emcee of the opening and Associate Lecturer in Journalism at USC.

44 Founding the Sunshine Coast Mind and Neuroscience - Thompson Institute