$5.2 Million Donation Boosts Mental Health

The estate of a Melbourne stockbroker has given $5.2 million to Monash University, the largest ever donation to the institution, to support mental health research.

David Winston Turner, who died in 2012, was an economics graduate from Monash University and his gift will be distributed over a seven year period by the David Winston Turner Endowment Fund.

Professor Christina Mitchell, Anne Marie Gasbarro, George Forbes and Professor Margaret Gardner AO at the announcement of the donation.

The donation will fund the David Winston Turner Fellowship, Mental Health PhD Scholarships, five large-scale research projects and the Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Addiction Clinic.

Pledged by the Trustees of the Fund, who recognised the importance of mental health research, the donation was described as a “transformational philanthropic commitment”.

“David was a proud alumnus of Monash, he was also aware of the University’s internationally recognised research in the mental health field,” the Trustees said.

“The trustees believe that the establishment of the David Winston Turner Mental Health Project will facilitate essential research to assist those suffering mental health disorders.”

Monash University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Margaret Gardner, said the generosity of graduates like David Turner in providing philanthropic funding was often the difference between a good university and a great university.

“Through this gift Mr Turner will make a difference in the fight to end human suffering caused by these little understood mental illnesses by funding high quality essential research,” Professor Gardner said.

Professor Gardner said, to acknowledge the significance of the gift and the man who made it, the University would name a Professorial Chair in his honour.

Professor Murat Yucel will hold the David Winston Turner Chair in the School of Psychological Sciences.

The Trustees officially announced the gift at a function this week.