The Woolcock Institute of Medical Research

Robert Estcourt has been a member of the Woolcock’s Board for almost 20 years. He’s seen the Woolcock through some of its greatest challenges and celebrated its many successes.

When Robert joined the Board, the Woolcock’s researchers were really working in a series of silos housed in a number of separate facilities. He was there when they came together under one roof in Glebe and for the move to our new purpose-built facilities at Macquarie University. He has witnessed the Woolcock transform itself into a thriving and united organisation known for its collaborative and supportive culture, a transformation that saw it take on new areas of research and gain international recognition.

SUPPORTING RESEARCH

He insists, though, that his contribution is a side act.

“The real heroes are the researchers and the leaders who navigated those challenges - Professors Norbert Berend and Carol Armour. I’ve had the privilege of working alongside these wonderfully gifted and dynamic people and many others who, over the years, have made significant contributions.”

This all sounds a bit like a retirement speech, but Robert has no intention of doing any such thing. Earlier this year he stepped down as Chair but he continues to serve on the Woolcock Board and has plenty to say about the Woolcock’s where to next.

He has nothing but praise for new Chair Julie Osborne, who he says played a major role working with Professor Carol Armour to negotiate and manage the Woolcock’s change of affiliation and move to the Macquarie University campus.

Julie has served on the Board since 2012 and has extensive experience across a range of sectors including more than 25 years in financial services. In February, we also welcomed two new members of the Board - Macquarie University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Medicine and Health) and Executive Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Professor Patrick McNeil and Stephen Hollings, whose Board and senior executive experience spans the publishing, technology, health, education and employment sectors.

Robert is enthusiastic about the opportunities for the Woolcock now that we are settled into our new purpose-built premises at Macquarie Park.

LOOKING BACK

“The Woolcock has evolved from the original six research silos that worked under the umbrella of a respiratory institute founded by Ann Woolcock to include others such as the sleep research. Professor Norbert Berend brought the individual research teams together in one building and they were transformed into a truly collaborative independent research institute under Professor Carol Armour. None of that was easy to achieve especially given that researchers are traditionally notoriously individualistic, a problem which is aggravated by the fact that they're all competing for the same money.”

“There have been a number of times in the Woolcock’s history where we were looking over a cliff but we have become the go-to place for our areas of research. That was acknowledged when we were ranked the world’s leading specialist sleep and respiratory medical research institute by Times Higher Education.”

LOOKING FORWARD

“The challenge now is to embed ourselves in the local community – by that I mean serving patients who visit our Clinic, working with our colleagues at Macquarie University, building ties with businesses in the innovation district and collaborating with bodies like the TSANZ (Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand), the Lung and the Asthma Foundations. We should be working closely with them, so they know what we're doing and we know what they're thinking, because in the end our research is the battery that drives advancements in treatment and better outcomes for people.”

Robert is also looking forward to the Woolcock building its financial strength so that it can initiate and support research without total dependence on raising external funds.

“Until now, we’ve only been able to welcome research groups to the Woolcock that came with their own grant money. With financial independence and more permanent fundraising support, the Woolcock will be able to follow the science and chart its own research course.”

It’s a big ask but Robert believes the Woolcock is in the right place and has the right people to make it happen and he’s keen to continue being part of it.

“In the end, I hope I’m doing something good. The Woolcock’s people are brilliant, and the Board’s job is to create the space for our researchers to work and succeed so that we can improve the lives of people with respiratory disease and sleep disorders.”

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