Muscular Dystrophy Queensland Red Bow Awareness Month 2025

Representing the Premier of Queensland, Minister for Health and Ambulance Services, the Honourable Tim Nicholls MP; Minister for Families, Seniors and Disability Services and Minister for Child Safety and the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence, the Honourable Amanda Camm MP; Muscular Dystrophy Queensland Chair, Mr Victor Attwood, and Chief Executive Officer, Ms Penny Deavin; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen.

I begin by acknowledging the Original Custodians of the lands around Brisbane, the Turrbal and Jagera people, and pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and to any First Nations people here this morning.

I was very pleased to accept Patronage of Muscular Dystrophy Queensland in October last year when Emeritus Professor John Pearn AO AM stepped down from the role after eight years of dedicated service.

John’s studies 50 years ago at the Muscular Dystrophy Research Unit at the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne in the UK, made him an exceptionally valuable champion of Muscular Dystrophy Queensland and I can assure you that Graeme and I, with our backgrounds in medicine and medical science, will strive to be equally effective as advocates for the remainder of my term as Governor.

Muscular Dystrophy Queensland shares the disability space with a large number of health and welfare-related organisations in this State. The disorders and diseases they support are extremely diverse, but there is one factor that unites them – the constant pressure to raise funds.

This challenge is amplified in the case of muscular dystrophy – not only is it an umbrella term covering more than 75 genetically inherited neuromuscular conditions, but any of the 434 voluntary muscles in the human body can be affected.

Fortunately for all Queenslanders, a group of concerned families rose to this challenge 47 years ago and formed the Muscular Dystrophy Support Group. By 1992 it had become an incorporated association and, eight years ago, became the Australian Public Company we know today, committed to raising funds, increasing community awareness, and providing free services and support State-wide for people of all ages who are living with these incurable neuromuscular conditions.

It has been a long journey and not an easy one, but Muscular Dystrophy Queensland has been very effective in playing the long game when it comes fundraising, patiently forging strong and enduring relationships with loyal individuals and organisations.

• The affiliation with Andrew and Greg Bell is one such example. Over a 31-year period, the Bell brothers raised $4.2 million through their annual Muscular Dystrophy Ball at the Gold Coast.

• The relationship with All Hallows’ School is equally impressive. Every year for the past 31 years, the school’s Year 11 students, dressed in red tutus and bows, have collected donations and sold merchandise in the city on one morning during Red Bow Month. This year, they raised more than $17,000.

• Another unlikely partnership is that with the Brisbane Harley Owners Group. Now in its 30^th year, the Group’s annual charity ride attracts over a hundred fundraising bikers.
• And this year, Muscular Dystrophy Queensland has been named as a Brisbane Broncos Charity Partner.

But the most delightful surprise came late last year when Muscular Dystrophy Queensland received the most substantial bequest in its history – half a million dollars from an anonymous donor who had been making small donations for over 20 years.

These are all wonderful examples of the public trust and compassion this organisation has built over almost five decades, and of its success in pursuing its vision of empowering people with muscular dystrophy to live life without limits.

Congratulations on your achievements to date – as your Patron, I look forward to amplifying your voice still further.

Happy Red Bow Month!