World MS Day Reception

Minister O’Rourke; Mr John-Paul Langbroek MP and Ms Nikki Boyd MP; Mrs Janet Pisasale; MS Chair Mr Roger Burrell; other distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen. Kaye and I are delighted to welcome you all to Government House this evening for this reception in recognition of World MS Day.

I’ve been thinking today about the theme chosen for this year, “Life with Multiple Sclerosis”.

Only four words: the brevity of the message invites us to reflect on emphasis – on what the most important words, in that short phrase, may be.

The words ‘Multiple Sclerosis’ are unquestionably important.

The search for the cure is vital and urgent, and the need to support those managing the everyday challenges of Multiple Sclerosis is something engaging every single person in this room.

Having said that though, I don’t think they are the most important words in this year’s theme.

When I reflect on “Life with MS”, it seems to me that the most important word is “life”.

Our priority must be to support people living with MS to live life to the full.

We all frankly acknowledge that the diagnosis of MS can make the aspiration of a full and independent life very difficult of attainment, and we celebrate those who are doing it, alongside those who enable it.

It is not easy, when faced with this life-changing diagnosis, to embrace new challenges, certainly not in the manner which has characterised some of tonight’s World MS Day Award winners.  

Nor is it easy to turn from one’s own diagnosed condition to supporting others, or to make a commitment to change the future for the better, as have other Awardees.

Others still are carers.

Caring is born from love, but caring is work, and it is not easy… and it is often invisible and overlooked. And so tonight, in acknowledging our recipients, we celebrate all carers of people living with MS.

All of you – recipients of these important awards – are inspirational, and on behalf of Queenslanders, I thank and congratulate you most sincerely, so many of you volunteers; volunteers who are the veritable lifeblood of our communities.

As your Patron, I am very proud of the work of MS Queensland in supporting thousands of Queenslanders living with MS, and their families and friends.

I take the opportunity on the eve of World MS Day to acknowledge that work and to thank the Board led by Mr Roger Burrell, the Executive led by Lincoln Hopper, the other staff and generous volunteers of MS Queensland – to thank them all, for their tremendous contribution to advancing the organisation’s vitally important mission, and in supporting research for the cure that we all hope is not far away. Thank you.