THE Blackmore Family Foundation has gifted $10 million to Southern Cross University to further develop research and education in the field of naturopathic medicine.
The gift was prompted by the wishes of Marcus Blackmore's father, the late Maurice Blackmore, who founded Blackmores, one of Australia's best-known vitamin and dietary supplements brand.
"When my father died in 1977, he was sad to not see naturopathy regarded as a true profession," commented Blackmore.
"But I think public perception has changed and that is a function of good research, good education and advocacy at all levels."
It's the second major gift to Southern Cross from the Blackmore Family Foundation, the personal philanthropic trust of Marcus Blackmore and his wife, Caroline Furlong.
The first gift in 2018, also for $10 million, helped to establish the University's National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine (NCNM).
Since launching in 2020, the NCNM has developed six accredited degrees, taught 280 undergraduate and postgraduate students, and mentored 18 research degrees.
NCNM Foundation Director Prof Jon Wardle said the Blackmore Foundation's latest gift future-proofs the work of the centre.
"It's clear integrative healthcare can have major benefits for the health system overall," said Wardle.
Proud of what was achieved by the original donation, Furlong, co-director of the Blackmore Foundation, said, "luckily we're in the position to do something similar again as the money will be put to good use by the Centre with its next level, world-class research and education".
The NCNM has one of the largest clinical trial units in regional Australia, with trials conducted for many complex health conditions. JG
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