4 February 2004

The discipline of Surgery at The University of Queensland Medical School has received a cheque for $500,000 as proceeds from the Estate of the late Mrs Helen Rimmer.

The funds will be used to establish research fellowships to support young surgeons in training to undertake higher degrees such as a doctorate of philosophy (PhD).

Professor Peter Brooks, Executive Dean, Faculty of Health Sciences today received the cheque for $500,000 from ANZ Trustees and Mr Graham Isles, as co-executors of Mrs Rimmer’s will.

"The Faculty of Health Sciences is always grateful to receive bequests, particularly those that assist in the training of our future health professionals," Professors Brooks said.

Both ANZ Trustees Administration Manager Mr Peter Schmack and Mr Isles, solicitor from Toowong, said they were pleased to hand over the proceeds as Mrs Rimmer selected in her will.

“Mrs Rimmer worked as a nurse in her youth and lived locally in the suburb of Clayfield for most of her life. Her brother, Professor William Burnett, was a surgeon and also Head of the Department of Surgery at the University of Queensland Medical School for many years.

“It was Mrs Rimmer’s wish that her brother be acknowledged for his contribution to surgery through a research fellowship in his name.”

ANZ Executors & Trustee Company Limited ("ANZ Trustees") provides services in wills and estate administration, estate planning, trustee management, asset management and administration to a broad range of Australian individuals, corporations and charitable institutions.

ANZ Trustees is also co-trustee for The Sylvia & Charles Viertel Charitable Foundation Medical Program which funds outstanding Australian Researchers, and is also developing a new medical research program in Queensland. For further information visit
www.anz.com/wealth/trustees/charitable_services.asp