The Bionics Institute hosted a special Celebration Event in Melbourne’s CBD, bringing together key supporters, stakeholders, and esteemed guests, including Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece, to mark a defining moment in the Institute’s journey.
This significant occasion honoured the remarkable leadership of Mr John Stanhope AM, who is retiring after an extraordinary 10 years as Chair of the Board.
During his engaging speech, The Lord Mayor highlighted the central role of medical research in powering Melbourne’s economy and recognised John Stanhope’s outstanding contribution to the City of Melbourne through his leadership across major institutions and commended his influence on the Bionics Institute’s growth and success.
John Stanhope, during his tenure, guided the Institute through a period of transformative growth, establishing it as a global leader in bionic technologies and medical research.
Under John’s strategic leadership, the Bionics Institute has made groundbreaking advancements in treating hearing loss, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, epilepsy, arthritis, and chronic pain. His vision helped drive the creation of four spin-out companies, including Epiminder, which received FDA approval for the Minder device developed at the Bionics Institute in April 2025.
John’s wealth of experience, including his roles as Group Managing Director of Telstra, Executive Director of the Telstra Board, Chairman of Australia Post, and current Chancellor of Deakin University, has been instrumental in shaping the Institute’s direction and amplifying its impact.
The event also served as a heartfelt thank-you to the Institute’s loyal donors and supporters, whose generosity fuels ongoing innovation and research. Their contributions continue to power the development of life-changing treatments and ensure a lasting legacy of hope for future generations.
As we celebrated past achievements and looked to the future, the event stood as a testament to the power of visionary leadership, scientific excellence, and community support in transforming lives through bionic medicine.
Read more about our research here: https://www.bionicsinstitute.org/our-research/
