After 50 years as the meeting place for ex service men and woman, the Moonah Navy Club today announced the sale of its clubrooms and the proceeds to be equally shared between the Menzies Research Institute and the Heart Foundation [Tasmania].

After 50 years as the meeting place for ex service men and woman, the Moonah Navy Club today announced the sale of its clubrooms and the proceeds to be equally shared between the Menzies Research Institute and the Heart Foundation [Tasmania].

The President of the Moonah Navy Club, Tony Gillam OAM, said "The Club has served a valuable role for over half a century for many navyex-service men and women and their families. It has been a place to share experiences and to provide support and friendship to those who have been and continue to be part of the navy community. The clubrooms have been a valuable meeting place for hundreds of members, families and friends with many enjoyable experiences.

It has been inevitable though, that with a small number of current members that our clubrooms would no longer be required. So, the members took the decision to sell the clubrooms and meet at other places around Hobart.

We are pleased that the sale of the clubrooms is complete and delighted that the proceeds are to be shared equally between Menzies and the Heart Foundation."

$151,000 will be donated to each organisation.

The Menzies Research Institute will allocate the funds for two endowed honours scholarships in medical research to educate the next generation of medical research scientists.

Professor Simon Foote, Director of the Menzies Research Institute says, "This is an extraordinary gift and we grateful that the Club is assisting the Menzies Research Institute in its aspiration to cure or prevent cancer.

The funds will be invested in perpetuity, to provide $5,000 per year for each of the two scholarships."

The other beneficiary is the Heart Foundation [Tasmania]. CEO Graeme Lynch says, "The funds will be used in research, development of communications and promotion of life-saving actions on the warning signs of heart attack and, engaging women and working with health professionals on women's risk of heart disease. These are big and important issues in our community.

The funds from the Moonah Navy Club will assist the Heart Foundation reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease - it will provide a great boost for our work in Tasmania and all Tasmanians will benefit from this generous gift."

The small number of Club members plan to continue to meet because of the strong friendships that have been built up over many years. The Club has taken the actions to sell the clubrooms so that the proceeds can best benefit the community.

Contacts

Fiona Horwood

Communications Manager, Menzies Research Institute

0409 357384

Graeme Lynch

CEO, Heart Foundation

0401 148 606

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