Tag Archives: Adelaide Gunns

David Gunn donates neurological microscope to Flinders Medical Centre

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David Gunn, philanthropist

David Gunn, philanthropist

David Gunn can thank a storm in London for helping him become an enormously successful businessman. In January 1965 he and his wife Muriel were in London and, while out walking on a bleak day, and with money running out, a sleet shower saw them duck into a building for warmth. They had entered Canada House and were persuaded to migrate to Montreal. While in Canada in the late 60’s and early 70’s, David realised the potential for using polyurethane foam as a new form of insulation on an engineering project.  He returned to Adelaide and set up business in 1972.

Now aged 80, David has overseen donations through the Muriel Gunn Medical Research Trust Fund set up in honour of his beloved wife who died of brain cancer in 1980. In retirement, he has donated more than $2 million to medical research.

More information about David and his donation of $500,000 for the microscope can be read here… and here for other details about his philanthropic activities.

 

Jim Gunn celebrates his 90th birthday

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Jim responds with a little talk

Still firing on all cylinders, Jim Gunn, father of website editor Andrew Gunn, and of daughters Kath, Helen and Mandy had his 90th birthday on February 5, 2013.

Jim’s celebrations occurred on February 2nd, a few days earlier than his actual birthday.  There was a large turn-out of Jim’s family and friends for the occasion, when Helen Harpas (Gunn) and husband Steve hosted the occasion.

Over 50 guests arrived at the appointed time, with a large contingent from New South Wales.  The whole of the Gunn Clan from Sydney seemed to have descended upon Adelaide!  Andrew’s son and daughter had flown into Adelaide the previous day and they had brought their respective spouses and children with them.

Jim’s daughter, Mandy, had also flown in a few days earlier from Tasmania.

A magician miraculously appeared and several mysterious tricks later, the guests were treated to a feast of cakes, pies and barbecued shasliks.

To wrap up the events, Keith Bull delivered a humorous anecdote about his experiences in pushing Jim’s three-wheeler car when it broke down many years ago when the two of them attended university at night.  Andrew presented his father with a scrapbook containing photos and messages from members of the immediate family.  Jim also presented his great grandchildren with some wooden toys he had crafted in his workshop, as well as congratulating each member of the family for their achievements.

By 5 o’clock guests began to dwindle away with some very happy memories.

(click here to go to the picture gallery)

 

Sydney Gunns visit Adelaide Easter 2009

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Jim Gunn with grandson Ben in Divett Street, Port Adelaide

Jim Gunn with grandson Ben in Divett Street, Port Adelaide

In a surprise visit to his father, Jim Gunn, the website editor drove from Sydney to Adelaide over the Easter break this year. He was accompanied by his son (Ben), Ben’s wife (Carina) and Andrew’s partner (Ruth).
The four days were filled with great times catching up with Andrew’s sister’s family (Helen Harpas) and with visiting places of interest in and around Adelaide. This included trips to Victor Harbour, the Barossa Valley and, closer to home, Glenelg and Port Adelaide. As an added bonus, Carina’s parents (John and Linda Curry) had also decided to drive over to South Australia and were in Adelaide at the same time, so it was possible to share many of these experiences together. The photo at left shows Jim Gunn talking with his grandson, Ben Gunn, outside the building that once housed the tailor-shop once owned and run by Jim’s father, Ben Gunn senior in Divett Street, Port Adelaide.