The National Ageing Research Institute (NARI) was founded on 16 April 1975 when an agreement was signed between the University of Melbourne and Mount Royal Hospital to establish a National Research Institute for the purpose of gerontological research and geriatric medicine. The hospital agreed to provide facilities and support to the Institute and the University agreed to carry out the objectives of the agreement. The University recognised the Institute and the Hospital for the purposes of graduate research or work for a higher degree, for medical undergraduates to carry out investigations in the Institute and for teaching, as arranged and authorised by the Dean of Medicine. The Director of the Institute would have the status of a Professor within the University. The Institute was directed by Professor Derek Prinsley (1976-1986) and the primary focus was to:

Within two years the Hospital agreed to provide the Institute within Mount Royal Hospital with offices, research and teaching rooms, a ward for clinical, research, and educational programmes, and supporting service facilities and on 9th December 1977 His Excellency the Governor of Victoria, Sir Henry Winneke, formally opened the Mount Royal National Research Institute of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine.

After considerable consultation with the North West Hospital (previously Mount Royal), and in light of the changing political climate, the University and the Government, through the Division of Aged Care in the Health Department, the Institute Committee under the chairmanship of Mr Russell Fynmore AO, agreed to pursue the long term objective of incorporation in 1993.

As a result the National Ageing Research Institute was established and officially launched on 7 June 1994, by the Minister for Aged Care in Victoria, The Hon Robert Knowles MLC. The Institute was directed by Professor Robert Helme (1987-2000) and its primary aim was to improve the well-being of older people. It proposed to answer the questions: Why do we age? How do we age? What impedes successful ageing? What constitutes old age?

Currently, the Institute is directed by Professor David Ames and structured in three divisions, Public Health, Clinical and Development. The Institute continues to address the fundamental questions on ageing with a particular focus on stroke, pain in older people and falls.

Past and current Directors:

Professor David Ames 2007-present

Professor Allan McLean 2001-2006

Interim Director Associate Professor Zeinab Khalil 2000-2001

Professor RD Helme 1987-2000

Professor Derek M Prinsley 1976-1986

 

Past and current Presidents of the Board (Chairmen)

The Hon Michael JR MacKellar 2004-present

Mr Alan Castleman 1999-2004

Mr Russell J Fynmore AO 1992-1999

Professor Ronald DT Cape 1986-1992

Mr L Penttila 1989-1990

Mr I Rohrt 1983-1985

Mr LE Penttila 1980-1981

Mr AM Forbes 1977-1979

Mr N Searle 1976-1977

The Institute is located in the grounds of the Royal Melbourne Hospital Royal Park Campus (formerly Melbourne Extended Care and Rehabilitation Service - MECRS) in Parkville, Melbourne, Australia.