Archives

2010

'Sex and the City 2' Movie Night

Wednesday June 9th, 2010

Carrie and the girls are back! You’re invited to join Parkinson’s Victoria for a special screening of Sex & the City 2. At the same time you’ll be supporting a great cause! DATE: Wednesday June 9th TIME:      8.15pm (movie screens at 9.00 pm) VENUE: Palace Dendy Brighton, 26 Church St, Brighton TICKETS: $30 - includes movie ticket, a Cosmopolitan and nibbles (pre-movie) HOW TO BOOK: Reserve your seat today! Email your contact details and quantity of tickets required to info@parkinsons-vic.org.au or call (03) 9551 1122 or Judith on 0447 376 374 Raffle tickets sold on the night with great prizes!

Charity Golf Day

Friday May 28, 2010

Parkinson's Victoria is pleased to announce that Spring Valley Golf Club in Heatherton will again generously support our work through its annual Charity Golf Day.

This event has already raised more than $17,000 which has helped us to deliver important information and support to people living with Parkinson's, carers, family members and the wider community.

In addition to the significant donation, we also have the opportunity to raise awareness about Parkinson's, a highlight of which will be when one of our Ambassadors share their personal story over lunch.

Download the Spring Valley Charity Golf Day Poster

Download the Spring Valley Charity Golf Day Entry Form

Major Raffle drawn on the day! You could win an annual membership to Spring Valley Golf Club (valued at $3000)! Purchase tickets from Parkinson's Victoria or Spring Valley Golf Club.

Download more information about raffle prizes up for grabs

Parkinson's Victoria gratefully acknowledges the generous and ongoing support of the Spring Valley Golf Club and its Charity Day Organising

Quality of Service Survey - Taxi Passengers with Disabilities

The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission is undertaking research into the experiences of people with disability using taxi services in Victoria.

The survey examines a range of issues relating to the quality of taxi services. It is a follow up to a similar survey conducted in 2006 which informed the Commissioner's report 'Time to Respond'. This report made recommendations to government and the taxi industry about how to improve taxi services.

This survey aims to find out if the situation is getting better or worse for people 3 years on. People with a disability are asked to complete the survey sharing experiences of using taxis in the past 6 months.

The closing date for the survey is Friday 26th February

How to complete the survey:

• Online at www.humanrightscommission.vic.gov.au (this option submits the survey directly)

• Download a copy electronically. Complete and save this document (Word version) and then email it to: contact@marketsolutions.com.au

Download Word version     Download PDF version

• Print the PDF or Word version, complete the survey and mail it to

  Market Solutions, Replied Paid 70353, Moonee Ponds, Vic, 3039

• By telephone - please phone Liesl Oliver on (03) 9032 3435

Community Education Seminars

Frankston Support Group Community Seminar

Wednesday 12th May, 2010, 1pm

Village Church Mt Eliza, 93 Canadian Bay Rd, Mt Eliza

Hosted by the Frankston Parkinson's Support Group.

Come along and hear a Parkinson's Update from Prof. Malcolm Horne, Margaret Radin and a staff member from Parkinson's Victoria.

A $2 donation towards the cost of the day is appreciated.

For further details, please contact Jenny on 9770-9852.

Download Frankston SG Community Seminar to find out more

Art Shows

Painting with Parkinson's - More Expressions of Colour

Exhibition Opening - Sunday April 11th, 2:00pm - 4:00pm

Old Cheese Factory, Homestead Road, Berwick

Come and enjoy these beautiful and vibrant works of art, all of which are for sale.

Exhibition runs from 10th April till the 28th April, including the 25th and 26th April

Gallery open for viewing every Friday, Saturday and Sunday 10.00am till 5.00pm - Other times by appointment

Download the Painting with Parkinson's - More Expressions of Colour flyer

Harley Gale - Phoenix Rising

Exhibition Opening - Thursday April 8th, 2010 at 6:00pm

The Kingston Arts Centre Gallery - 979 Nepean Highway, Moorabbin VIC 3189

This exhibition will be open to the public from the 9th - 20th April, 2010 during gallery hours 9.00am - 5.30pm

Harley Gale's latest exhibition Phoenix Rising follows on from his 1972 exhibitions A Sail in Time and Space and The Garden of Earthly Delights . Gale uses colourfield, action painting and the happy accident to illustrate the Chinese belief that ' the universe is in my heart and the heart is in my universe' .

Gale commenced tertiary studies in medicine, but he soon tired of that art and switched to painting and a life long love of Chinese Art. Another career change led to 25 years as an acupuncturist. Most recently the development of Parkinson's disease has led Gale back to his old love of painting. He lives, works and plays in God's own country Goonengerry, Northern NSW .

2009

Help Finder launch

Parkinson's Victoria is excited to announce the launch of its GET CONNECTED initiative. This 12 month project has seen the development of the HelpFinder, a brand new online directory to help make navigating the service system easier.

You are invited to join the team, members of the funding committee and wider community for a demonstration of this unique info rmation resource on:

WEDNESDAY 10 JUNE 2009 at 1:30pm

Essendon Parkinson's Support Group Meeting,

Aberfeldie Baptist Church , Community Hall, 3-5 Price Street, Essendon

Download the HelpFinder launch flyer for more information.

The Challenge of Movement Disorders - PSP / MSA / CBD Allied Health Professional Development Day

Are you an Allied Health Professional who works with people who live with one of the following conditions:

Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) - Multiple Systems Atrophy (MSA) - Cortical Basal Degeneration (CBD)

Parkinson's Victoria together with PSP Australia are holding a Professional Development day to improve understanding about these conditions. Featuring presentations by a range of experts in the field covering topics such as: an Overview of PSP, MSA and CBD, Cognitive changes, Best practice interventions for allied health disciplines, End of Life issues, Grief and Loss issues and Carer support.

Victorian neurosurgeon and neurologist call for increased government/hospital funding for deep brain stimulation

ABC's Stateline (7 Nov 2008) followed the story of Ross Collins and his recent deep brain stimulation (DBS) procedure. Surgeon Mr Richard Bittar and Neurologist Dr David Williams call for increased funding to offset the considerable expense of this procedure. The expense is beyond many people who would benefit from DBS. 

Download the transcript of the Stateline Deep Brain Stimulation story here.

Call for new Parkinson's treatment to be subsidised on the Pharmaceutical Benefit's Scheme (PBS)

Duodopa is a new treatment for Parkinson’s that is currently under consideration for subsidy on the PBS.

From now until 11 February  next year, interested individuals or groups can access the next PBAC meeting agenda and the comments form at the Department of Health and Ageing website at:

http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/PBAC_online_submission_form

We encourage you to access this site and support the listing of Duodopa on the PBS. 

Further information on Duodopa can be found at www.parkinsonsdecisionaid.eu.com/medInfo/duodopa

Support Parkinson's Australia's submission to the Carers 2020 Summit

You can help people with Parkinson’s through supporting an online 2020 Summit hosted by Carers Australia.  In particular, the section on assessing impact or the adoption of a Carers Impact Statement by the Department of Health & Ageing when making decisions about new policy decisions, benefit programs and listing new drugs on the PBS. The outcomes of this seminar will be presented to the Prime Minister for consideration during Carers Week in October. 

To ensure this key recommendation becomes a top priority, therefore aiding in the listing of new therapies and devices for the treatment of Parkinsons Disease please go to: http://www.carers2020.com.au/assessing.php and support this initiative.

New report highlights the need for improved services and support

A report, commissioned by Parkinson's Victoria, has been completed by eminent disability consultants Dr Chris Fyffe and Jeffrey McCubbery. The report focuses on the significant population of people with Parkinson's who are of working age, and the lack of government funded service planning and coordination.  People in this age group are not recognised by government, are under represented in service access, and are subsequently marginalised. 

Click here for the full report

Depression and Parkinson's

Parkinson's Victoria has collaborated with Beyond Blue to produce a free fact sheet and DVD resource.

Download a copy of the Depression fact sheet here. Call Parkinson's Victoria to request a copy of the DVD.

Call for new Parkinson's treatment to be subsidised on the Pharmaceutical Benefit's Scheme (PBS)

Duodopa is a new treatment for Parkinson s that is currently under consideration for subsidy on the PBS.

The treatment may be suitable for people who have been living with Parkinson s for some time and may be experiencing difficulties with unpredictable motor fluctuations, such as freezing and dyskinesia, or who may be troubled by variable response to existing treatments.

Under the new PBAC listing rules, consumers are able to comment on medicines being considered for listing on the PBS. Duodopa will be submitted in time for the March 2009 PBAC meeting.

From now until 11 February next year, interested individuals or groups can access the next PBAC meeting agenda and make comments. Your comments can be made via the form at the Department of Health and Ageing website.

We encourage you to access this site and support the listing of Duodopa on the PBS.

Our New Web Site

We are pleased to launch our new look web site, made possible through the generous support of the Michael and Andrew Buxton Foundation.  We will continue to add further content over the coming weeks. Your feedback is welcome.

New CEO for Parkinson's Australia

Mr. Norman Marshall has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of Parkinson's Australia , commencing on May 15 th . Mr. Marshall, who will be based in Canberra , was formerly CEO and Executive Chairman of Australian Drug Management and Education Pty. Ltd., a company specialising in assisting Australian business and government departments establish drug free work programmes . One of the first priorities will be the launch of the Access Economics report commissioned by Parkinson's Australia . This will be at Parliament House in Canberra , and will be the fore runner of a national lobbying campaign leading up to the Federal election to gain improved services and support for people with Parkinson's in Australia.

New blood test being developed to diagnose and monitor treatment

A simple test to diagnose Parkinson's before symptoms appear by measuring the levels of protein in the blood is being developed by researchers at the Howard Florey Institute, Melbourne University and the Mental Health Research Institute of Victoria. Click here for details.

"The Bridge at Midnight Trembles" nominated for Logie Award

Richard Moir's moving production on his journey with Parkinson's and Deep Brain Stimulation was nominated for a Logie in the "best documentary" category.  Originally broadcast on SBS, further information about the documentary can be found here.   Congratulations Richard. 

250 attend Prof Meg Morris' Dean's lecture on improving walking - reducing falls

250 people were at  Melbourne University to hear Prof Meg Morris present the prestigious Deans Lecture on 1 May.  Professor Morris spoke on the topic "New discoveries on how to improve walking and reduce falls in Parkinson's. Click here to hear the presentation

World Parkinson's Day 

World Parkinson's Day is celebrated  annually on 11th April, the birthday of Sir James Parkinson, to promote the need for accessible specialist services, and to promote Parkinson's awareness.  This document gives background on World Parkinson's Day, and a further document entitled "Ease the Burden" demonstrates the inequity in service provision and why governments need to urgently invest in services and support.  Media inquiries to Judith Mooney, Marketing Coordinator on 0447 376 374

Parkinson's drug review: PERMAX

The Therapeutic Goods Administation will review the drug "Permax" after authorities in the USA withdrew it from sale. Further details are here:  It is recommended that any changes in your medication are only made in consultation with your treating physician.

"Senses, Sensuality and Sexuality in Parkinson's" Lectures a great success

Over 120 people people were fortunate to hear Gila Bronner, Director of Israel's Sexual Health Centre deliver lectures on the above topic.  Attendees benefited from Gila's knowledge, professionalism and her superb way of presenting on this important topic in a wonderful way.  Our thanks to Mayne Pharma for sponsoring the event.  We will be producing a DVD of the health professional session.  More information to follow.  Gila is a highly recommeded speaker. If you are able to hear her, take the opportunity!

Get It On Time Campaign

Parkinson's Australia has successfully launched the 'Get it on Time' campaign. This campaign is focused on medication management and highlighting the importance to people with Parkinson's of getting their medication on time - every time in hospitals, respite and nursing homes. Contact us for details.