Our Mission
Our mission is to provide information, referral and support to Members with Multiple Sclerosis living in Victoria.
Activities + Procedures
People with Multiple Sclerosis Victoria Inc” will endeavour
to achieve our mission statement by
People with Multiple Sclerosis Victoria Inc” will endeavour to achieve our mission statement by
- Coordinating a network of community based PwMS self-help groups
- Facilitating activities for volunteers and organizations wishing to contribute their time or resources to PwMS
- Helping self-help groups apply for Government Grants to assist with their establishment and running
- Liaising with Governments on behalf of the PwMS in Victorian communities
- Pursuing donations from Philanthropic Trusts and like organizations to help members needs
- Working closely with MS Limited in helping all people with MS to live as close as possible to an active and productive life; and
- Providing information and other news items to members via is Newsletter “Short Circuit”
History of People with MS Victoria
People with MS Victoria began back th same time as the International Year of the Disabled in 1984.
Toward the end of that year, the MS Society of Victoria brought together people living with Multiple Sclerosis, staff members, and interested supporters at Noah’s Hotel in Melbourne. Their goal was to form a representative body that could raise awareness of MS, share management strategies, and provide advocacy when needed.
This group became the first of its kind in Australia and was known as the Victorian State Council of People with Multiple Sclerosis.
The inaugural management committee consisted of four members
Rob Fisher – Chair
Eve Murphy – Secretary
Bruce Graham
Sally Irwin (later replaced by Beverley Frith after relocating to Queensland)
One of the Council’s first achievements was organising a well-attended conference at the Yarra Valley Country Club.
Guest speakers included representatives from the Department of Human Services and various employer organisations. During this time, a committee-nominated member named Peter received an award for his work with people with disabilities in the Ballarat region.
In 1986, committee members attended the International Conference of Multiple Sclerosis Societies in Sydney.
Later that year, both Rob Fisher and Eve Murphy resigned from the committee.
At the 1988 Annual General Meeting, members were asked to vote on registering the organisation under the Associations Incorporation Act 1981. The vote was unanimous, and People with Multiple Sclerosis (Victoria) Inc. became an incorporated association on 22 February 1989.
The first issue of the organisation’s newsletter,
Short Circuit, was produced in July 1989.
Secretary Peter McDonald named it, typed it, assembled it, and mailed each copy by hand. Through 1989 and 1990, several meetings for People with MS were held, featuring guest speakers such as Professor Claude Bernard with updates on MS research, along with presentations from MS Society representatives.
In 1990, self-help groups began forming, and the Telelink program was established through an arrangement with PMG (now Telstra) to enable telephone support across different municipalities. Bev Frith was the inaugural Telelink coordinator.
Today, we continue with a strong, confident team dedicated to supporting our members and improving the lives of people living with Multiple Sclerosis in Victoria.
We show our respect and acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who are the traditional custodians of this land. We pay respects to their Elders past and present.