Deputy Chairman's message
The Hon. Gary Nairn AO, pictured with then Member of the Legislative Assembly of NSW, Nichole Overall and Mulloon Institute CEO, Carolyn Hall in February 2023.
Supporting Gary
The Mulloon Institute is many things, but at its core it is a family and a community of people working together to rehydrate and repair Australia.
The Hon. Gary Nairn AO has taken over the legacy of Tony Coote AM and as chair has taken a concept (rehydrating Australia) and an asset (the generous gifts of Tony Coote) and developed the Mulloon Institute into one of Australia’s leading agricultural and environmental charities. He has appointed the right people, made the right calls and successfully guided the organisation through its fair share of minefields. Through his efforts we are providing effective and ground breaking leadership and advocacy in Australia.
Unfortunately, Gary has recently been diagnosed with kidney and lung cancer and is currently undergoing intensive treatment for both cancers. Here is part of Gary’s message recently sent to staff.
“I have had to take a step back from my responsibilities as Chairman of the Mulloon Institute due to a serious health issue. While my passion for our work will never fade, I must use all my available energy to fight this terrible disease so that I can return to the other fight of expanding our much needed work across our degraded nation.
My health challenge is to win the battle against two different types of cancer, lung and kidney, in multiple locations. My first two treatments were a combination of immunotherapy and chemotherapy. From now on, at least for the time being, every three weeks will be just immunotherapy. In layman’s terms, it would appear immunotherapy can better target the nasties (although some goodies get caught in the cross fire) and greatly assist your immune system do its job. My oncologist assures me it is the ‘best treatment available on the planet’!
So it will no doubt be a long haul and therefore I will have to remain in the background for the time being.
All the very best to everyone and thank you for the great achievements and successes you are making each day to help restore the natural functioning of our landscapes nationwide. I might be concentrating on my other challenge but I will be keeping close contact to the many projects you are undertaking. Tony Coote AM left us a great legacy, each and every day since his passing we have collectively grown that legacy to a point that I have no doubt he would be very delighted. Let’s keep that up.”
While Gary has taken a step back from his duties as chair during his treatment he has left the Institute in good hands. Carolyn continues to lead and inspire the organisation as CEO, Jono is diligently reshaping and growing Mulloon Consulting, Peter Hazell continues to lead key projects and Jim Steele and Matt Narracott are running and transforming farm operations. Kathy Kelly, Carolyn Hall and I (as fellow directors) continue to guide and oversee an efficient, functioning organisation.
For those of you who know Gary – please send him a note – we all wish him well during this tough battle. Our thoughts are also with Gary’s wonderful wife Rose who continues to be a pillar of strength to her family.
Matt Egerton-Warburton
Mulloon Institute – Deputy Chair