Latest News
- Professor William Carroll wins the 2011 John Studdy Award | 13 December 2011
- MS Australia – ACT/NSW/VIC Farewells Two Inspirational People | 30 November 2011
- Vale Dr Peter Colville AM – a MS Australia pioneer | 22 November 2011
- Statement Re: Fundraising Costs | 25 October 2011
- Statement Re: Vitamin D and MS | 25 October 2011
- Disability Reform Must Occur: MS Australia, Media Release | 13 October 2011
- Fatigue and MS international study | 05 Spetember 2011
- Statement Re: CCSVI | 02 Spetember 2011
- Statement Re: GILENYA | 31 August 2011
Professor William Carroll wins the 2011 John Studdy Award
13 December 2011Multiple Sclerosis Australia (MSA) and Multiple Sclerosis Research Australia (MSRA) would like to congratulate Prof William Carroll on being awarded the prestigious John Studdy Award.
Click here to view the statement 
MS Australia – ACT/NSW/VIC Farewells Two Inspirational People
30 November 2011Katie Booth and John Blades
Katie Booth
This week we acknowledge Katie Booth, a dedicated supporter, advocate and person with MS who passed away recently. Our thoughts have been with Katie and her family.
In 1992 Katie was involved in setting up the Central Coast branch support group with Rita and Ron Thwaites. She also co-edited MagScene which featured her humorous column 'Ms Busibody'.
Katie was a member of the Multiple Sclerosis Advisory Council (MSAC) and advocated on behalf of people with MS through her involvement in transport disability meetings. For many years, Katie produced a local bi-monthly newsletter to keep Central Coast residents with MS up-to-date with the latest MS news. Above all, Katie was a tremendous support to people with MS.
Katie epitomised the saying "I've got MS but MS hasn't got me."Several MSL staff members attended Katie's funeral on Monday where attendees and speakers gave wonderful tributes highlighting the ways in which Katie touched their lives.
Our sincere condolences go to Katie's family, her friends and support group members. Katie was an inspirational individual and we are proud to have worked so closely with her.
John Blades
It is with great sadness that we inform you of the death of John Blades, a journalist, musician, radio presenter and person with MS. John passed away on Friday due to complications associated with cancer.
John had a massive enthusiasm for community radio and experimental music. In 1982 he co-founded experimental music group 'The Loop Orchestra' described as "Australia's most enduring experimental music group." That same year John was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
John's involvement in film and radio has made a real impact on the lives of people with MS and people living with disability. John will always be remembered as a wonderful story-teller, a talented journalist and musician and a dedicated advocate for people with MS. John lived by the motto: "Don't let your disability control
your life."
Last year John's documentary about sexuality and disability 'The Too Hard Basket' won a Walkley Award in the Social Equity Journalism category. You can access John's documentary online: www.abc.net.au.
He was also involved with and had a starring role in a short film on this topic called Scarlet Road
(see www.scarletroad.com.au) that will be screened on SBS ONE on Friday December 2 at 10.05pm –
a great way to remember John, embracing life to the full.
Our deepest sympathies to John's brother and carer Bruce, his family, friends and colleagues. John's funeral will be held Monday 5 December 2011 at the Northern Suburbs Crematorium.
Vale Dr Peter Colville AM – a MS Australia pioneer
22 November 2011MS Australia – ACT/NSW/VIC mourns the passing of one of our earliest pioneers,
Dr Peter Colville AM.
Dr Colville was instrumental in the development of the MS Society of Victoria, which would later becoming
MS Australia – ACT/NSW/VIC. When the Society was established, Dr Colville became an honorary medical advisor, subsequently becoming part time Medical Director and joint Chief Executive in 1975.
Dr Colville's leadership was crucial in the development of the Society's practical, evidence-based services
and in the recruitment of qualified staff. He was a leader in multidisciplinary team work and led by example. He promoted practical services, and actively searched for solutions to the problems faced by people living
with progressive neurological illnesses.
As someone that always challenged the prevailing thought of the time, Dr Colville undertook and promoted basic research into the symptoms of MS. He found that the primary focus of physiotherapy had neglected other needs that people with MS had – resulting in the establishment of a urological consultative service,
the employment of a handyman to help with home modifications and financial assistance for people with
MS. He initiated the neuropsychological research which led to the international recognition of the cognitive effects of MS.
Younger people with MS with significant disability was a focus for Dr Colville, and through his pioneering efforts, a pilot project was undertaken to assist people to remain at home. This pilot was the forerunner to
the personal care attendant programs that we now see consistently used throughout the country.
Dr Colville's philosophy, teachings and practice in MS management have served as the basis of community rehabilitation to this day. He was awarded the Member of the Order of Australia in 1990 in recognition of service to medicine and the Royal Australian College of Physicians College Medal in 2010.
Through his impact on thousands of people living with MS, and on the health professionals now treating
people today, his legacy lives on.
Statement Re: Fundraising Costs
25 October 2011Reports in News Limited newspapers yesterday indicate the Federal Government's plans to increase the transparency around the fundraising in Australian not for profit organisations.
Statement Re: Vitamin D and MS
25 October 2011An article published in the journal Neurology today claims there is little difference between high dose and low dose Vitamin D supplementation for people living with multiple sclerosis (MS).
Disability Reform Must Occur: MS Australia, Media Release
13 October 2011MS Australia has used today's actions at Parliament House to renew a call to the Federal Government to ensure the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) becomes a reality for the 21,000 Australians living with multiple sclerosis (MS).
Click here to view MEDIA RELEASE
Fatigue and MS international study
05 September 2011Up to 90 percent of people with MS report having fatigue (defined as an overwhelming feeling of weakness).
Do you suffer from fatigue as part of your MS?
Help the Multiple Sclerosis International Federation (MSIF) in their latest fatigue study by completing this anonymous 5 minute survey. You have until 1 November to complete the survey.
Statement Re: CCSVI
02 September 2011The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) in the United Kingdom has recently announced it is encouraging further research into the procedure known as percutaneous venoplasty, to determine if it is effective and safe for use. The procedure is used to open up narrowed veins in the neck that carry oxygen depleted blood, in a condition known as chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI), and is of great interest to many people with multiple sclerosis (MS).
Statement Re: GILENYA
31 August 2011The first medication for multiple sclerosis (MS) that can be taken orally will be subsidised under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) from tomorrow – welcome news for many Australians living with MS.