1964:	Bernard O'Brien commences experimental microsurgery work in old mortuary at St Vincent's using a microscope loaned by Professor Gerard Crock of the University of Melbourne Department of Ophthalmology
1968:	Microsurgery established within the University Department of Surgery at St Vincent's Hospital, with Bernard O'Brien appointed a research assistant and main investigator
1968:	The concept of a Microsurgery Foundation is first mooted by Bernard O'Brien as a way of obtaining funding for research and facilities
1970:	Microsurgery Foundation established (separate from the hospital), with Sir William Kilpatrick as Chairman
1972:	St Vincent's renovates an old factory next to the present Institute with funding from the Australian Universities Commission, and the Experimental Medical and Surgical Unit is born
1976:	The microsurgery research program is formally recognised by St Vincent's with the establishment of the Microsurgery Research Unit directed by Bernard O'Brien. It has four full-time Fellows with year-long appointments and eight sessional surgeons. A contentious issue that arises between the Unit and the Hospital and that recurs over the following years is what constitutes its equitable share of recurrent operating expenses.
1977:	Bernard O'Brien reports that 10 of 125 delegates at the 4th International Microsurgery Symposium were trained as Fellows at St Vincent's Hospital
1977:	Sir Laurence Muir succeeds Sir William Kilpatrick as Chairman of the Foundation, and Sir William becomes its Patron
1978:	A delegation from the Foundation to Victorian Premier, Mr Hamer, whose funeral is being held today, wins support for up to $150,000 over two years for building a Microsurgery Research Unit, with the Foundation promising to raise an equal amount [3]
1978:	Sister Administrator, Maureen Walters, says she is unable to accept this donation [4]
1979:	With St Vincent's Hospital and the Foundation having resolved most of their differences, the donation from the Government is accepted and the Sisters of Charity support a building for the Microsurgical Research Unit on land owned by them
1980:	Consultative Scientific Panel appointed to comment on all research proposals. I believe Professor R.D. (Douglas) Wright, who was then Deputy Chancellor of the University of Melbourne, was the first chairman of that panel.[5] The same year, Mr Wayne Morrison and Mr Allan MacLeod were appointed Senior Research Fellows
1983:	Microsurgery Research Advisory Committee established under the chairmanship of St Vincent's neurosurgeon, Dr Keith Henderson.
1984:	New $1,000,000 microsurgery building opens, with Right of Occupancy guaranteed by the Hospital for 25 years
1985:	Unit renamed Microsurgery Research Centre
1986:	Launch of an appeal for $500,000, as maintenance budget of the Unit expected to exceed $250,000 per year
1986-87:	Mr Julian Pribaz, a senior microsurgeon, leaves the Centre because of "chronic frustrations with the health system, including limited hospital beds and operating theatre times"
1992:	Ron Walker, Chairman of the Microsurgery Foundation, describes the building housing the Unit as "hopelessly inadequate" and "unable to keep pace" with its enterprising staff.
1992:	Bernard O'Brien retires and Wayne Morrison appointed Director of the Microsurgery Research Centre.
1995-96:	The facility expands with support from Transport Accident Commission. The centre renamed Bernard O'Brien Institute of Microsurgery (BOBIM)
1996:	Institute hosts the International Symposium on Contemporary Microsurgery
1998:	Barbara Walker Centre for Pain Management and Research established.

Figure 2

Witness to the History of Australian Medicine