A sweet partnership
Alister and Sue Haigh have been on the journey with SAHMRI since the very beginning.
“SAHMRI wasn’t even a hole in the ground when we became involved,” said Alister. “Raymond Spencer (then SAHMRI’s Chair) was really excited about the project; he was the driving force behind it. You couldn’t help but get inspired by it. Once it was built, I said the window cleaners aren’t going to like it.”
While the building was under construction, Alister and Sue had the opportunity to tour the heavily reinforced bunker which would become home to South Australia’s first cyclotron. This particle accelerator produces radiopharmaceuticals crucial in high-precision diagnostic imaging and targeted therapies.
“It was exciting to have a cyclotron here in Adelaide and not have to rely on one interstate,” said Alister. “It’s a unique benefit SAHMRI offers to South Australia.”
Alister celebrated his 60th birthday in the SAHMRI auditorium and used the opportunity to introduce more of their friends to the Institute, while at the same time raising funds for research.
"We thought we could offer something a bit different for the event,” said Sue. “We wanted to show more people what SAHMRI was all about.”
The Haigh’s family involvement with SAHMRI extends beyond the philanthropic. With a background in nursing, midwifery, infant welfare, parent education and health counselling, Sue wanted to draw on her medical background to give back in a meaningful way.
“It’s important to contribute in ways that appeal to you,” said Sue. “It’s very well to donate money, but I was as much interested in using my skills to make a practical contribution as well.”
Sue was introduced to Professor Maria Makrides, who was then leading a research project looking at the connection between omega-3 and preterm births – a project now being rolled out nationally. Sue volunteered with the trials, assisting with data entry and de-identifying case notes, until Sue’s own daughter gave birth to twins.
“It’s been really nice getting to know Maria and to watch her go from leading a research group to leading SAHMRI as Executive Director. I’m proud of what she’s achieved,” said Sue.
Alister and Sue are continuing a family tradition of philanthropy and have plans to involve the next generation of Haigh children in their giving as well.
“Dad was a long-term member of Apex, whose clubs support their local community,” said Alister. “He instilled in us the importance of giving back in some form, whether it was donating chocolate products or funding.”
“When we give more significant donations it’s to projects that we really want to follow through and see fulfilled, it’s not just writing a cheque. It’s important to us to see the impact of our support.”
If you'd like to learn more about giving to SAHMRI please contact Carly Hocking on 0400 176 137 or at carly.hocking@sahmri.com
Read more stories like this in our 2025 Impact Report
Take me there
SAHMRI is located on Kaurna Country. We pay respects to the Kaurna people of the Adelaide Plains and to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. We are committed to embracing knowledge and culture as we continue our working journey to incorporate Aboriginal health research across all of our themes and further reconciliation.
Read more"Tirki nguta tappa tangka marninithi"
(Learning and knowledge are the pathway to alter the mind)
- Uncle Lewis Yerloburka O’Brien, Kaurna Elder
