50 years of changing lives
This timeline offers a snapshot of the milestones, breakthroughs and acts of generosity that have helped transform patient care, fund life-changing research, and support generations of families. From humble beginnings under the stairs at Flinders Medical Centre to world-first research trials and state-of-the-art facilities, every chapter reflects the power of philanthropy and the unwavering support of our community.Â
While much has changed over the past 50 years, our purpose remains the same: to create healthier lives and a better future through care, research and innovation.Â
1976
FMC opens its doors to southern Adelaide and beyond, and the idea of a Foundation to help connect philanthropy to the hospital is born.
1977
The Foundation is officially incorporated by a group of founding professors, with an early focus on funding research and innovation.
1982
Flinders Foundation expands, thanks to considerable support from VollieCare (formerly known as the Volunteer Service for Flinders Medical Centre).
The Foundation, formerly known as the Flinders Medical Centre Research Foundation, was growing quickly, and the need for an office and a paid employee became evident. Sylvia Murray was employed as the Foundation’s first Secretary, and VollieCare funded the building and fit-out of the first-ever office, located under the stairs of the old main entrance at FMC.
1984
Flinders Foundation invests a total of $330,000 back into the Flinders precinct and publishes its first community newsletter, The Investigator.
1989
The Lyn Wrigley Trust Dinner is established to raise vital funds for breast cancer research before expanding to support all cancer types, evolving over the years under many names, including the Pink Yellow Blue Ball
Lyn Wrigley was a wife, mother and nurse who, at just 44, was diagnosed with breast cancer and given 6–12 months to live. Determined to make a difference, she set out to raise funds and awareness — not for herself, but for others facing the disease.Â
From her vision, an annual fundraising event was born. What began as a breast cancer initiative has, over many years, grown to support all cancer types. Today, Flinders Foundation proudly continues Lyn’s legacy by delivering this longstanding event in her honour to fund vital cancer research and care.Â
1991
The $5 million Research Laboratory wing at FMC opens as a result of significant community support through Flinders Foundation, marking one of the largest investments in the Flinders precinct at the time, thanks to significant support from Mary Overton AM, Jack Loader, and VollieCare.
1992
Flinders Foundation expands its remit to support equipment, services and patient care, beyond its original focus on research and innovation.Â
1999
A partnership with Drakes Supermarkets, through the Drakes Showbags initiative, begins (and continues to make a difference to this day).
2002
The Mary Overton Fellowship is established, bringing international neuroscience experts to southern Adelaide.
Following her passing, one of our long-standing supporters, Mary Overton AM, left more than $2.3 million in her will to Flinders Foundation. To date, her generosity has funded four fellowships in her name, bringing leading international neuroscience experts to Flinders for five-year terms.Â
Her legacy continues to drive a lasting impact in neuroscience research for years to come.Â
Before her passing, Mary Overton also made a number of major donations to research at Flinders, including $250,000 to support capital works.Â
2002
Lady Joan Hardy OAM joins Flinders Foundation as Patron of our annual fundraising Ball.
2004
Official opening of the newly expanded Flinders Breast Cancer and Lymphoedema Clinic, funded partially through the Flinders Foundation community.
2004
Flinders Foundation launches a state-wide fundraising campaign in a bid to build the Flinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer.
2005
Jimmy Barnes performs at a special concert following the charity auction of a Henley Properties ‘Home of Hope’, with all proceeds going to Flinders Foundation to support the FMC Neonatal Unit.
2012
FCIC opens its doors following a $30 million fundraising effort, including State and Federal Government investment, transforming cancer care for southern Adelaide.
2012
FCIC became South Australia's first integrated cancer centre, bringing together world-class research, clinical trials and compassionate care under one roof.Â
More than just a building, FCIC connects researchers, clinicians and patients to drive innovation in prevention, treatment and survivorship. Today, it continues to support thousands of patients and families each year while contributing to cancer research and discoveries.
2012
Flinders Foundation supporters bring a world-class Breast MRI to the Flinders Breast Clinic, providing equipment to improve early detection of the disease.
2013
A $75,000 ventilator arrives at FMC’s Neonatal Unit thanks to a fundraising campaign supported by Erica and Tony Modra (former Adelaide Crow).
2013
FCIC holds its inaugural Cancer Survivorship Conference, established and convened by Professor Bogda Koczwara — now the oldest survivorship conference globally.
2018
The decade-long cycling event Ride Like Crazy (organised by SAPOL), which raised an incredible $1.7 million for brain cancer research, comes to an end.
2019
An advanced life-support system called the Extra Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation machine is funded through Flinders Foundation supporters for the Intensive and Critical Care Unit at FMC.
2019
The first annual SA Discovery Tour, in partnership with Tour de Cure, is held, raising funds for cancer research at Flinders and building on existing years of Tour de Cure events being held in South Australia.
2020
The Flinders Cancer Wellness Centre opens its doors, thanks to community support including a world-record for time spent on a ferris wheel, by MIX 102.3 presenter Mark Soderstrom, raising $225,000
2020
Flinders Foundation funds a number of staff wellbeing initiatives to keep frontline healthcare heroes safe during COVID-19, as well as groundbreaking research into the virus.
2020
The first Ralph Ernst PhD Scholarship was awarded to Sam Rollin, made possible through a generous bequest from Ralph and Pixie Ernst. Soon after, the same gift funded a fellowship supporting research aimed at improving survival outcomes for people with prostate and bladder cancers.
2021
Bespoke camera technology arrives at FMC and provides comfort and reduces stress for families of premature babies in the FMC Neonatal Unit. The initiative was funded by Flinders Foundation through support from the Masonic Charities Trust, Amy Purling, the Fun Run for Prems community, and VollieCare.
2021
A new $250,000 virtual reality simulator for eye surgery arrives at Flinders, thanks to funding from Sight For All, Dr Graham Fraenkel of Laser Vision SA, The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists, and Flinders Foundation.
2022
The Flinders Paediatric Emergency Department undergoes a major redevelopment to create a more child-friendly environment, with Flinders Foundation supporters funding bright and colourful artwork in the ward.
2022
Simonds Homes builds and auctions a luxury home at Lightsview, raising $477,500 for Flinders Foundation to fund projects within FMC benefiting children and young people.
2023
South Australia became the first state to trial a digital colonoscopy database, led by Flinders University, to better manage rising demand and establish a registry to support future cancer research. Flinders Foundation played a key role in seed funding the Bowel Health Service Team at the University, helping to secure major future investments.
2023
World-first trials begin for a blood biomarker test for patients with pancreatic cancer, while Flinders University researchers make a breakthrough in brain cancer treatment.
2023
A partnership between Flinders Foundation, Cancer Council SA and Flinders University awards two new cancer research fellowships for Dr Ferrar and Dr Kemp, focusing on improving quality of life and reducing distress for people living with or beyond cancer.
2023
Dr Brett Stringer completes his three-year Brain Cancer Research Fellowship at Flinders University, funded by Flinders Foundation, and makes exciting discoveries to create a brighter future for those affected by the disease.
2024
The new Flinders Medical Centre Child Safety and Wellbeing Health Service opens, supporting vulnerable, abused, neglected and at-risk children and young people.
The $3 million build was made possible through the generosity of Flinders Foundation supporters, including Simonds Homes, Samaras Group’s Make a Difference Foundation, The Carthew Family Charity Trust and VollieCare.Â
Purpose-built as a safe and welcoming space for children, the redeveloped service delivers medical, psychological and comprehensive care assessments for more than 1,700 referrals each year involving vulnerable or at-risk children.Â
2024
The Ryan Hodges Fund, in partnership with the Foundation, commits $150,000 to two research positions, expanding the Precision Dosing Program and allowing patients with cancer precious time with their families.
2025
Life-saving technology, funded by Flinders Foundation supporters including the Burton Foundation, restores hope for patients waiting for liver transplants. The new machine cools and oxygenates donor livers to improve the viability of donated livers, increasing the number of liver transplants possible within the hospital.
2025
Funded by grateful patient Marion McCormack, a dedicated clinical research midwife/nurse position at FMC focuses on improving ovarian cancer care pathways and enhancing the patient experience from diagnosis to treatment.
2026
The Marion McCormack Senior Research Fellow in Ovarian Cancer Early Detection at Flinders University is awarded to Dr Arnab Ghosh.
Keep up to date
Subscribe to our newsletter to receive information on our latest news and events
Precinct partners
Head office
Flinders Drive
Bedford Park 5042 SA
General enquiries
Flinders Foundation acknowledges the Kaurna people as the traditional custodians of the land on which the Flinders precinct was established. We acknowledge the Kaurna people’s deep and ongoing connection to land, waters and community, and pay our respect to their Elders, past and present.
