On 30 December 1920, James (Jim) Arthur Bonnin was born into an illustrious medical family in Adelaide, South Australia. His father, James Atkinson Bonnin, was the second Adelaide graduate to obtain the Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons of England. He was particularly interested in gynaecology. His mother was born Winifred Turpin. She has been described as being the matriarchal strength of the family. His siblings all achieved distinction in their careers; Noel (surgery), Kath (nursing), Mark (medicine), Frew (law), Win (Lady Stephen – social work) and Lance (orthopaedics).

On 16 December 1955, Jim married the delightful and talented Heather Birt McDonald. She developed a great interest in the Arts, and one of her many achievements was to be appointed to the position of Chairman of the Board of the Art Gallery of South Australia. They had three children; Anne (occupational therapist), Mark (school teacher) and Mary (marketing manager).

Jim’s education began at Queen’s School, then St Peter’s College followed by the Medical School, the University of Adelaide where he distinguished himself by achieving the title of 'Captain of Boats', holding the high jump record and winning the 120 yards hurdles. These are some of the advantages of being tall and lanky. After graduation he had a year as a resident medical officer at the Royal Adelaide Hospital (RAH).

He then enlisted in the British Commonwealth Occupation Force, Japan from 1947 to 1948, where he worked in the 130 Australian General Hospital based on the island of Etajima. This is where his interest in pathology was kindled. Returning to Adelaide, he was appointed to the position of RAH Pathology Registrar in the Institute of Medical and Veterinary Science (IMVS) and subsequently the Assistant Clinical Pathologist. He progressed steadily upwards, becoming Deputy Director (from 1953 to 1962), while holding the positions of Head of Division, Clinical Pathology (1958), and Haematology (1960). He was appointed Director (from 1962 to 1981).

During 1952 and 1953, he had a period of study overseas, working in London with Professor Sir John Dacie at the Post Graduate Medical School, Hammersmith, and then in Oxford with Dr Rosemary Biggs, MD and Dr RG Macfarlane, FRS. His work at Hammersmith formed the basis of his MD thesis on erythrophagocytosis.

Other academic achievements included: Fellow of the International Society of Haematology, Member of the Australian and the Asian Pacific Societies of Haematology and President of the Haematology Society of Australia (1967 and 1968). His publications in major journals were numerous, particularly in the British Journal of Haematology. Honours conferred on him were: Emeritus Director IMVS, Queen's Jubilee Medal (1978) and the Red Cross Long Service Medal.

Dr Bonnin was a very popular figure with his colleagues and staff of the IMVS, and his personal friends. He was approachable and strictly honest. He had a tremendous sense of humour and was a great raconteur. He devoted his professional life to the IMVS, but he had many other interests including fishing, tennis, golf, the collection of butterflies and he was an accomplished landscape artist.

Early in his career he realised the importance of certain developments, which were to make the IMVS one of the outstanding medical laboratories in the world. He pressed for acquisition of new tests, for automation with the best available equipment, computerisation, building extension, peripheral laboratories throughout the state and perhaps the most important of all, the fostering of close ties with the University of Adelaide and the RAH.

The Council of the IMVS decided that they would like to recognise the great contributions made by both Jim and Mark Bonnin to the Institute and the RAH. In April 1999, a moving ceremony was held to designate a reading room, within the new medical campus library, the Bonnin Room. Most of the widespread Bonnin family were able to attend and they deeply appreciated this fitting tribute.

Having devoted his professional life to the study of pathology, particularly haematology, he subsequently developed acute myeloid leukaemia. After suffering treatment and complications for several months, he died at home on 30 October 1997. A colleague, writing at the time of Jim’s death, succinctly captured our feelings with the following statement. 'Dr Jim Bonnin will be widely remembered with great personal affection and with admiration for his many professional achievements which have had lasting benefits for South Australia's health system'.