Cycling was Mark’s passion. He took regular rides around Scone and would often join fundraising bike rides for childhood cancer research – a 1000 km ride in 2017 for his goddaughter Madison, and in 2020, the Zoo2Zoo Melbourne Zoo to Dubbo Zoo ride for the Black Dog Institute.
Mark was a valued member of the Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) Foundation for almost 10 years. Amongst his many contributions, he was instrumental in securing a $5.2 million philanthropic gift for HMRI, Hunter New England Local Health District, and NSW Ambulance to help advance emergency out-of-hospital paramedic training, treatment, and telehealth care for patients across NSW, especially to benefit rural areas.
Beyond this, Mark was loved and celebrated by his family, friends, and colleagues alike.
He was a wonderful man inside and out, generous, kind, and very family and community minded. He believed in giving of his time and skills to others.
We are so grateful for the time Mark invested in HMRI and the important connections he helped us forge. He will be sadly missed by all of us - the Foundation members, Directors past and present, and the staff of HMRI, especially the Philanthropy team.
Mark truly made a difference and has left a lasting legacy at HMRI, its people, our work, and in our community.
We send our sincerest condolences to Mark’s wife Jenny and their children, and to his other family members at this incredibly sad time.
Mr Scott Walkom
HMRI Foundation Chair
