Largest gift to mental health in Australia
Article by Amanda Hanna | Matheson Society newsletter
Monash University has received a $30 million philanthropic gift that will fund vital mental health research and preventative treatment initiatives to improve the lives of millions of Australians.
David W. Turner was a Monash economics graduate, who admired the University’s internationally recognised mental health research. When he passed away in 2012 he left provision in his will to establish the David Winston Turner Endowment Fund to support research into mental health conditions. His legacy of support lives on in the recent announcement of an incredible $30 million gift to Monash from the David Winston Turner Endowment Fund, one of the single largest philanthropic gifts ever to be received by the University, which has enabled Monash University to build our capacity to undertake ground-breaking research, training and treatment solutions for brain and mental health conditions. The Turner Institute is the first research institute at the University to take its name and inspiration from a Monash graduate and benefactor. It is one of the single largest gifts ever to be received by the University.
Previous gifts from the David Winston Turner Endowment Fund established Monash’s very own Turner Institute in 2015, amounting to $43 million in total gifts given by the Fund to date. The Turner Institute is renowned for pioneering ground-breaking research into brain and mental health conditions, training, and treatments. This latest gift will fund an innovative 10-year study conducted by the Turner Institute, following thousands of residents across their lifespan throughout Melbourne’s diverse south-eastern suburbs. It will in turn establish a ‘living lab’ for preventing, monitoring and treating the signs of mental illness, dementia and other brain conditions, many of which increased in prevalence since the COVID-19 pandemic.
No one person could have truly predicted the pandemic’s significant ramifications on mental health and wellbeing on a global scale. As a proud Monash alum, Mr Turner had the foresight to invest into brain and mental health research with a leading global institute, to which Monash is deeply grateful.
“David Turner recognised the importance of the legacy we leave for future generations,” Monash University’s President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Margaret Gardner AC said.
Undoubtedly, Mr Turner’s gift will continue to transform the lives of so many in our community for generations to come.
It will in turn establish a ‘living lab’ for preventing, monitoring and treating the signs of mental illness, dementia and other brain conditions, many of which increased in prevalence since the COVID-19 pandemic.
No one person could have truly predicted the pandemic’s significant ramifications on mental health and wellbeing on a global scale. As a proud Monash alum, Mr Turner had the foresight to invest into brain and mental health research with a global leader, to which Monash is deeply grateful.
“David Turner recognised the importance of the legacy we leave for future generations,” Monash Vice Chancellor Professor Margaret Gardner AM said. “His generosity will ensure that millions of Australians will benefit from preventative mental health initiatives, and for those who need it, they will receive the very best clinical treatment informed by ground-breaking research of the highest quality.” Undoubtedly, Mr Turner’s gift will continue to transform the lives of so many in our community for generations to come.