WHY MARGARET CROSS
MADE A BEQUEST TO BURNET

“One thing I remember thinking back to those early days, is how many infectious diseases we had to deal with.”

After dreaming of nursing since she was a young girl, Margaret Cross found herself caring for patients through some of the world’s biggest epidemics, including polio. Witnessing such great suffering and pain, Margaret sought change, and began supporting Burnet Institute.

“I always wanted to be a nurse,” Margaret said.

“I date it back to one of my earliest memories. I was just a young girl, and walking in Ararat (Victoria) I saw polio patients wheeled out on stretcher beds to get some sunshine, and young people in calipers. Seeing these people made me feel very sad and concerned.”

Margaret underwent nursing training in the 1950s at Ararat and District Hospital and then began working at the Ararat Hospital.

“I worked in the children’s ward, nursing kids with whooping cough, in steam tents, and children with fatal complications from measles.

“One thing I remember, thinking back to those early days, is how many infectious diseases we had to deal with that are simply not as much of an issue in Australia these days, or how treatments of these diseases have changed so much.”

Supporting HIV Research
Later in her nursing career, Margaret became aware of the impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Australia through her son-in-law, Barry Janes, who was President of the Victorian AIDS Council.

This prompted Margaret to begin supporting Burnet Institute, at the time still in its infancy of HIV research and based at Fairfield Infectious Diseases Hospital, one of the primary centres for patient care, diagnostic services and public health research into HIV and AIDS in Australia.

Since the 1980s, Burnet has proudly continued its HIV research focus and Margaret remained a long-time supporter of our work.

After many years of generous support, Margaret, now retired from nursing, made a bequest to Burnet.

“As a nurse, infectious diseases have always been a part of my life. I have seen great suffering and pain, but also great strides made in prevention and treatment, in equity and understanding,” she said.

Make an Impact | Donate Today

Choose to make a gift to Burnet Institute. Every donation makes a difference to the lives of vulnerable communities where we work.