Afternoon Reception for MS Queensland in honour of World MS Day and MS Queensland's 60th Anniversary

Minister, Shadow Minister, Member for Pine Rivers, Chairmen, Members of the Board, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Kaye and I are delighted to welcome you all to Government House. It is an absolute pleasure for us to host this afternoon reception on the occasion of World MS Day.

As it has done for ten years now, World MS Day brings together the global MS community to share stories, raise awareness, and campaign with, and for everyone who is living with Multiple Sclerosis.

The day is not only a wonderful opportunity to celebrate what has been achieved in MS research and share our collective hopes for the future, it is also a formidable way to connect those who are searching for a cure with those who are personally affected by this mysterious disease and for whom every advancement, large or small, spells out ‘hope’.

Appropriately, the motto for World MS Day this year is ‘Bringing Us Closer’. It is a timely reminder that, while the battle may not be over yet, if we keep working together we will see an end to MS, and I trust that marvellous day comes very soon.

I have tremendous respect for the many medical professionals including doctors, nurses, researchers and counsellors who are pouring every ounce of their being into solving the MS mystery and helping affected Queenslanders and their families to get the best out of life.

I also hold in the highest esteem the many selfless, dedicated volunteers who here in Queensland last financial year contributed almost 7000 hours of unpaid service. A most admirable effort.

For the six decades that MS Queensland has provided care and support to those who need it, its volunteers have been the lifeblood of the organisation, donating their time and energy, their heart and soul.

I appreciate that many of the events and services MS Queensland runs, like the annual Moonlight Walk that last year raised over half a million dollars, would simply not be possible without them.

And so, on behalf of all Queenslanders, I commend not only all of you here today who are being recognised, deservedly, for your outstanding contributions, but each and every person out there making a difference, giving to and actively supporting the work of MS Queensland.

You all share one thing in common: an unrelenting determination to ease the suffering and uncertainty that comes with an MS diagnosis and give hope and comfort to Queenslanders facing that difficult reality.

Ladies and gentlemen, as Governor and Patron of MS Queensland, I thank you wholeheartedly for your fundraising and awareness-raising efforts, which continue to spur on our talented band of MS researchers who are hard at work this very minute looking for a cure. 

You and they are true heroes, and Kaye and I thank you all and congratulate MS Queensland on its 60th anniversary.