Chairman's Report

I report that the year has been both a challenging and successful one for the Institute. Despite the funding restraints to which I have referred in previous reports, services have been maintained in accordance with our statutory and other obligations.

The Donor Tissue Bank of Victoria, responding to unprecedented demand after the Bali atrocity, was able to increase its output of tissue for transplantation.

Other staff of the Institute, working exceptionally long hours in very difficult conditions to identify the remains of victims, were a significant component of the Australian contingent in Bali. I was please to acknowledge and honour them and others, in a special ceremony.

During the year we were delighted to have Chief Commissioner of Police, Christine Nixon, join the Council. We are sure the Institute will profit from her depth of administrative experience.

I also report the resignation from the Council of Professor Richard Larkins. His resignation was occasioned by his appointment as Vice-Chancellor of Monash University. I congratulate him upon this appointment and wish him well in his very substantial new responsibilities.

I think it is a measure of the Institute's international reputation that the year also saw both the appointment of our Director, Professor Steven Cordner, to a project of the International Committee of the Red Cross to develop protocols for dealing with the victims of war crimes and the appointment of Associate Professor David Wells to head a major World Health Organisation project to develop forensic medical guidelines for use in third world countries.

I unreservedly commend the work of the Director and the Institute staff.

John Harber Phillips
Chief Justice and Chair of Council