Blog

MND NSW members and their families are invited to attend this year’s Careflight Magic Mania extravaganza. This annual event is a fun and family filled afternoon of music, bright lights, dancing, clowns, magicians, illusionists and acrobats. This is a unique day, primarily aimed at children’s enjoyment, with guests attending from a range of organisations that support families through illness, disability and financial hardship. This is a free show and a great day out for the family at the Quaycentre (formerly the State Sports Centre) in Sydney Olympic Park. Save the date - Saturday 14 December 2019 and, because we anticipate that these free shows will fill quickly, MND NSW members and families can let us know of their interest in attending by emailling This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the number of free tickets you would like, or by contacting the MND Info Line ph 02 8877 0999 or 1800 777 175.

Leading international ALS/MND researchers are providing the MND community with the opportunity to ask questions about latest research advances from around the world at the 2019 International Ask the Experts on 2 December in Perth. If you can't attend, register for the live stream. Speakers include Professor Matthew Kiernan AM - (Australia), Professor Ammar Al Chalabi (UK) and Professor Merit Cudkowicz (USA).

You are invited to participate in an ongoing research project that is looking for risk factors that might contribute to the development of motor neurone disease (MND). An online anonymous questionnaire asks a series of questions that may provide clues as to what factors trigger MND in some people. Anyone is welcome to complete the questionnaire - people with a sporadic or familial form of MND, their relatives and also people without MND in order to compare lifestyle factors. This questionnaire can be completed regardless of geographical location, so please share with any friends or family who may live overseas who would be happy to contribute.

Academics and students at Otago Polytechnic in New Zealand have been working on their open source Windows Gaze Control project for the past three years and report the GazeToolbar has now reached sufficient maturity to be used by real users. The GazeToolbar allows users to control a computer hands-free using only their gaze, together with a low-cost eyetracker.

The annual East Hills Charity Car Show held it's 5th event at Kelso Oval Panania on Saturday, 28 July. The show included a great field of classic cars with all makes and models present from the 1920s through to the 2000s. MND NSW was chosen as this year's charity by the East Hills Charity Car Show 2019 Committee, with $11,000 donated from the day. Thank you to the Committee and to everyone who so generously supported this event. Our thanks also to MND NSW volunteers Ben, Cynthia, Rhiannon and Bridget who attended and raised a further $503 from MND NSW merchandise sales and donations. The Committee said of the day, "The weather was fantastic and it was a great community day for a truly great cause". Pictured are MND NSW CEO, Graham Opie (at left) with event Committee members.