Brief historical notes about the Australasian Section
Inspired by the 1976 ISHR World Congress held in Japan, the local section of the ISHR was founded in order to represent and bring together cardiovascular researchers in this region of the world. The founding president was Mark Wahlqvist, having moved from the Karolinska Institute in Uppsala, to the Dept.Medical Sciences, Australian National University and then Prince Henry’s Hospital, Melbourne.
Winifred Nayler was also instrumental in founding the section. She organized the 1986 world congress in Melbourne and remained prominent with her international peers through the impact of her research, later becoming President of both the Australasian Section and the World Body.
The major research interest of many members in the 1970s and 1980s was in cardiac metabolism, particularly the impact of ischaemia-reperfusion injury. Today cardiovascular research invokes expertise from multiple disciplines and technologies. This is reflected in ISHR’s membership from the fields of biochemistry, physiology, pharmacology, biophysics, molecular biology, vascular biology, pathology, cardiology and cardiac surgery.
Over the decades many members of CSANZ with basic research interests have had strong involvement in ISHR, and during this time the CSANZ has annually held joint basic science symposia with ISHR.
Founding Committee Members:
Mark L.Wahlqvist, Winifred G. Nayler, John Williams, Michael Clarke, Colin Gibbs, Ted Nye, Sir John Scott, (Record incomplete).
1977-1982
President: Mark L.Wahlqvis
Secretary & Treasurer: John Williams
1982-1986
President: Winifred Nayler
Secretary & Treasurer: Michael Clarke
1986 ISHR WORLD CONGRESS (Melbourne)
Organised by Winifred Nayler and Michael Clarke
1986-1989
World body President of ISHR: Winifred Nayler succeeded Howard Morgan (USA).
1986-1990
President: Winifred Nayler
Secretary & Treasurer: Peter L. McLennan
1990-1992
President: Franklin L. Rosenfeldt
Secretary & Treasurer: Michael J. Daly
1992
Winifred Nayler Valedictory Meeting (ISHR Annual Scientific Meeting), Melbourne.
1992-1994
President: John Gavin
Elected World Council Representative (1992-1998).
Secretary & Treasurer: Michael J. Daly
1994-1996
President: John Gavin
Secretary & Treasurer: Lindsay Brown
1996-1997
President: Lindsay Brown
Secretary & Treasurer: Tom Cocks
1997-2003
President: Lindsay Brown
Secretary: Salvatore Pepe
Treasurer: Franklin L. Rosenfeldt
1998
Australasian Section wins bid to host 2004 ISHR World Congress in Brisbane
Peter McLennan elected to ISHR World Council, (1998-2004).
2000
John Gavin is awarded Life Honorary Membership
Mark Wahlqvist -Keynote address to ASM: Perspectives from a founding president.
2001
Organised the IUPS World Congress Satellite meeting: Models in Cardiovascular Research
2002
Founding participants in the first Australian Health & Medical Research Congress
Colin Gibbs is awarded Life Honorary Membership
2004
ISHR World Congress held in Brisbane
ISHR World Congress Satellite meeting “Aging Heart & Vessels” held in Melbourne.
2003-2007
President: Salvatore Pepe
Secretary: Lea Delbridge
Treasurer: Xiao-Jun Du
Salvatore Pepe elected to ISHR World Council (2004-2010).
Lea Delbridge appointed to ISHR World Council (2004-2010) as section representative.
2007-2010
President: Lea Delbridge
Secretary: David Saint
Treasurer: Julie McMullen
2010-2013
President: Lea Delbridge
Secretary: Colleen Thomas
Finance Secretary: Salvatore Pepe
Salvatore Pepe elected to ISHR World Council (2010-2013) as Statutory Member.
Lea Delbridge appointed to ISHR World Council (2010-2013) as section representative.
2013-2016
President: Livia Hool
Secretary: Colleen Thomas
Finance Secretary: Salvatore Pepe
Livia Hool elected to ISHR World Council (2013-2016) as Statutory Member.
Salvatore Pepe appointed to ISHR World Council (2010-2013) as section representative.
2016-2019
President: Livia Hool
Secretary: Rebecca Ritchie
Finance Secretary: Colleen Thomas
Livia Hool elected to ISHR World Council (2013-2016) as section representative.
Salvatore Pepe appointed to ISHR World Council (2010-2013) as Statutory member.