Known for her drive and can-do attitude, Dr Margaret Brumby AM was highly respected by all those around her.

Dr Brumby’s long relationship with WEHI began in the early 1960s when she worked in Professor Don Metcalf’s lab and completed a Master of Science in experimental medicine.

The next 20 years were devoted to family and teaching biology at secondary school and university. But memories of the excitement of research at WEHI lived on and her husband Ian remembers how thrilled and honoured she was to return to the institute in 1986.

During her tenure as WEHI’s general manager from 1986 to 2006, Dr Brumby’s devotion was palpable as she adeptly managed the institute’s operational requirements.

Some of her greatest achievements include the design and building of the WEHI 2 extension, the development of the Biotechnology Centre in Bundoora and the Gene Technology Access Centre, a science education hub situated next to WEHI at University High School.

Dr Brumby loved working at WEHI and was dedicated to ensuring operations ran smoothly and provided the support and facilities required for the institute’s success.

She has continued her unwavering devotion by leaving a bequest that will support WEHI’s Bright Futures initiative. The Bright Futures scholarship fund empowers over 200 dedicated students who are the future leaders of medical research and essential to the institute’s groundbreaking discoveries.

Dr Brumby’s legacy is evident as you walk through the corridors of WEHI today and will live on through the WEHI students who benefit from her bequest in future.