A billion possibilities Stories from the University of Sydney’s INSPIRED philanthropic campaign A billion possibilities Editor Art director Cover and title page Produced by Marketing and Louise Schwartzkoff Katie Sorrenson illustrations Communications, the University Rudi de Wet of Sydney, June 2019. The Division of Alumni and Photographers University reserves the right Development Chris Bennett Contributing writers to make alterations to any The University of Sydney Louise Cooper Elissa Blake information contained within Level 2, Administration Building Corey Wyckoff Pip Cummings this publication without notice. (F23), NSW 2006 Stefanie Zingsheim George Dodd 19/7924 CRICOS 00026A sydney.edu.au/inspired Emily Dunn Photography assistant Katie Harkin Printing Daniel Grendon Hannah James Managed by Publish Partners Lenny Ann Low Louise Schwartzkoff INSP IRED Gabriel Wilder A geneticist’s cancer quest cancer geneticist’s A 40 leaf new a cannabis: Medicinal 34 New hope for an Aussie icon Aussie an for hope New 26 Attacking asthma Attacking 20 Farming’s robot revolution robot Farming’s 16 48 Scholarships that change lives 56 The project powerhouse 0 1 60 Teaching the teachers Campaign impact 06 Campaign in review 05 Contents Welcome 66 70 76 79 A new museum for Sydney for museum new A Gifts in the galleries the in Gifts Legacies of love of Legacies How surgery saved a child’s smile child’s a saved surgery How $1 BILLION FROM MORE THAN 64,000 DONORS SUPPORTING MORE THAN 4000 CAUSES INSPIRED The campaign to support the University of Sydney WELCOME From the Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor There are a billion reasons to celebrate as the knowledge they need to deliver major projects in the University of Sydney’s INSPIRED philanthropic fields ranging from technology to infrastructure. This campaign comes to a close. Most of those reasons initiative has helped shape more than 500 leaders have little to do with dollars and cents. across 12 government agencies and eight industry Through the course of the campaign, more than areas as they work on $60 billion worth of projects. 64,000 people have donated a total of $1 billion, Or take the 14 disease-free Tasmanian devils supporting University research and programs to our researchers discovered on a crowdfunded improve health care, help disadvantaged people access expedition to a remote patch of the island state’s education, safeguard the future of the planet and wilderness. These animals represent a new genetic much more. The campaign is the largest philanthropic variant of the species that could prove key to saving effort in Australian history. We’re proud of that it from extinction (page 26). achievement, but we’re even prouder of what it And, of course, there are the thousands of represents: our community’s unwavering belief in students who could never have attended university the crucial work the University does, transforming without the support of donor-funded scholarships. the world through research and education. Their stories of effort and achievement in the Your support has created a billion possibilities. face of adversity are a powerful reminder of why Across campus and beyond, your generosity is helping philanthropy matters (page 48). our students and researchers as they strive to shape a Every gift to this campaign has contributed better future. In this publication celebrating the close something important to the University and the of the INSPIRED campaign, you’ll read about some of world beyond. Our billion-dollar target was never a the things that you, our donors, have made possible. destination for its own sake, and reaching it isn’t really There’s the clinical trial of a use-at-home asthma an ending. The INSPIRED campaign is part of the device designed to warn sufferers of imminent flare- ongoing story of this remarkable institution and the ups. That research could be a lifesaver for the 400 people who believe in it. We are so grateful for your Australians who die from asthma each year (page 20). support, and look forward to continuing our work with Then there’s the John Grill Institute of Projects visionary donors to make extraordinary things happen. (page 56), which equips leaders and executives with Thank you, from all of us. Belinda Hutchinson AM (BEc ’76), Chancellor Dr Michael Spence AC (BA ’85 LLB ’87), Vice‑Chancellor and Principal 05 CAMPAIGN IN REVIEW CAMPAIGN Since the INSPIRED campaign The INSPIRED philanthropic campaign began, the University of to support the Sydney’s donors have given University begins. a billion dollars to support THE CAMPAIGN’S research and education. INITIAL AIM IS TO RAISE $600 MILLION BY 2017 – Here, we trace some A TARGET SO AMBITIOUS MANY DOUBT IT key steps in the journey. CAN BE REACHED. The road to a 2008 billion dollars “Sydney is immensely A $10 million donation from Greg Poche and Kay Van fortunate to have a large Norton Poche establishes a and growing number centre for Indigenous health at the University, with outreach of supporters. Their clinics across NSW. Today, the Poche Centre for Indigenous generosity runs contrary Health works in partnership to the common perception with 27 Aboriginal communities, delivering services such as that Australia lacks dentistry, cardiology and nursing. The centre also provides a philanthropic culture.” training for Indigenous health practitioners, and supports them Dr Michael Spence to work in their own communities. Vice-Chancellor and Principal 06 Picasso ie, rm do An anonymous donor arrives En e l at the University with a Picasso l i F painting wrapped in a plastic bag. e n The work, Jeune Fille Endormie, u e J is donated on the condition that ↓ it be sold, with the proceeds directed to research. Its $20.7 million selling price has “When you own a funded four research chairs, valuable painting supporting work in nutritional ecology, metabolic systems like this, it sort biology, psychology and of owns you back. translational metabolic health. For the first time in a long, long while, I finally feel free.” Anonymous Picasso donor 2010 2012 Warren Halloran’s major On stepping down as gift establishes the Henry CEO of engineering Halloran Trust, which company WorleyParsons, supports multidisciplinary John Grill donates eno Indig us H research in urban planning, $20 million to establish r eal fo th e w r o sustainable development the John Grill Centre t r n k e s C and land management. for Project Leadership. i e n h c p Over the years, Halloran The centre works to o a P r t has given $10 million to the hone the skills of senior e n h e T r trust, which is named for his executives across a range s ↓ h i father, an influential figure of industries, helping them p w in property development to lead major projects i t h and urban planning in that benefit society and c o m NSW in the late 19th and deliver economic value. m u n early 20th centuries. i t i e s . 07 The campaign receives its largest ever bequest The University’s first – $15 million from the annual giving day, late Elwin à Beckett, who Pave the Way, raises dedicated the bulk of her $932,964 from 1058 estate to research into donors. Since then, bowel cancer. The bequest Pave the Way has supports early‑ and mid‑ gone from strength to career researchers including strength. At the 2018 Dr Erin Shanahan, who is event, more than $2 investigating the relationship million was raised from between bowel cancer and donations by more the gut microbiome. than 4000 people. 2013 2014 2015 s H Dr Chau Chak Wing A $33.7 million gift oddes atho g r ( he c. gives $15 million to fund from Barry and Joy t f 90 o 0 n B a new museum for the Lambert establishes the o C i ) t c University’s collection of Lambert Initiative for i p e art and artefacts, including research into the medical d e the pictured red granite applications of cannabis. t i n depiction of the goddess The Lamberts were inspired a r g Hathor. The Chau Chak to make the donation d e Wing Museum is currently after granddaughter R rising from the ground on Katelyn found relief from University Avenue. epileptic seizures through cannabis‑based medicine. THE INSPIRED CAMPAIGN REACHES ITS INITIAL $600 MILLION GOAL TWO YEARS EARLY. THE TARGET IS INCREASED TO $750 MILLION, THEN, AFTER THAT GOAL IS ALSO SURPASSED, TO $1 BILLION. 08 ↓ Th e l at e S u s a n “There is strong faith The Susan and Isaac W a Wakil Foundation donates k i in the community $35 million – the largest l gift of the campaign – to in the work the fund a purpose‑built University does. facility to house the health disciplines. It is the Wakils’ This is evident in the second major gift to the generous support University, following a $10.8 million gift to nursing we have received scholarships in 2015. from donors all over the world.” r e d Dr Michael Spence n e r Vice-Chancellor and Principal s ’ t c e t ↑ i h T c h r e a S u g, sa in n d Wa uil kil Health B 2016 2018 2019 A transformative A $10 million gift ON 30 JANUARY 2019, A SECOND donation from Sydney establishes the Dr Liang GIFT FROM JOHN GRILL BRINGS THE architecture alumni Voice Program to support CAMPAIGN TO ITS BILLION‑DOLLAR research, education Garry and Susan Rothwell establishes the Garry TARGET. THE UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY and training in the field BECOMES THE FIRST UNIVERSITY of laryngeal and voice and Susan Rothwell Chair in Architectural Design IN AUSTRALIA TO RAISE $1 BILLION conditions.