Every year, the Centre hosts a gala dinner to raise funds for its work, on account of the pandemic the last event was last held in 2019. A popular part of the evenings has been a live auction featuring a number of money-can’t-buy lots.

In 2019, the gala dinner raised more than $215,000, with the auction of a purebred Hereford heifer from Professor Dominic Rowe’s Hunter Valley farm adding to the total.

As Dominic makes a practice of not naming his cattle, the heifer continues to be known by her number: 42.

“The successful bidder paid $5000 for 42 and she’s now living out her life in comfort on the farm,” he says.

“She’s pregnant and the calf is due in August, so this year we’re keeping up the tradition by auctioning her unborn calf.”

The heifer, or steer, could be transferred to another certified property but Dominic’s preferred option is for it to remain on his farm, where he will keep feeding and caring for it.

“I send the successful bidders regular updates and photos and they’re also welcome to drop in for tea and scones any time to see how the animal is going!” he says.

The 2022 MND Gala Dinner is being held on Friday 17 June at the Art Gallery of NSW, and includes a sumptuous two-course meal, live entertainment and a private viewing of the Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes Exhibition 2022.

Tickets are $250 each, or $2250 for a table of 10. Get in quick, though – seats are limited and they’re selling fast.

Even if you can’t attend the dinner, there are still options to support the Centre’s much-needed research. Donations of any size are always appreciated, or if you would like to provide a suitable raffle or auction prize, please email the fundraising team at mndcommunity@mq.edu.au.

Pictured above: Pregnant Hereford ’42’ on Professor Dominic Rowe’s farm.

Last year’s ‘Firies Climb for MND’ raised over $850k to support clinical trials at the University’s Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research. Over $3 million has been raised since the Firies Climb for MND began in 2015, with the funds having supported two clinical trials, with a further fully-funded trial currently in the early stages of development.

^{Pro Vice-Chancellor (Higher Degree Research) Professor Simon Handley is among the Macquarie staff that have tackled the 1504 Sydney Tower Eye steps in full firefighting kit.}

With a physical tower climb off the cards this year, the campaign’s focus has turned to what the firefighters – and us mere mortals – can do to support MND research at home.

The #1504forMND campaign calls on supporters to:

1. Register their support (the first 400 to register get a supporter t-shirt)
2. Choose an activity related to the number 1504 (cycle 1504km, run 15.4km, walk for 150.4 minutes etc).
3. Nominate three friends to take the challenge and raise funds and awareness for MND.

Participants can also dedicate a virtual step to honour someone that has been affected by MND.

The #1504forMND challenge runs through November and is open to anyone. You can follow the challenge on Facebook or Instagram.

Register, make a donation, or dedicate a step at firiesclimbformnd.org.au

Macquarie is honoured to host the Australian Human Rights Commissioner, Edward Santow, who will give the keynote address. Mr Santow will be joined by speakers Archie Law, Chair, Sydney Peace Foundation and Humanitarian Director at Save the Children, along with Sofia Ihsan, a Social Science bachelor student who found refuge in Australia and support and acceptance at Macquarie University.

Environments of understanding make all the difference

An important topic of discussion at the event will be the impact of a welcoming society.

“A welcoming society for students from refugee and/or asylum seeker backgrounds is understanding, respectful and friendly,” explains Carolina Morison, Widening Participation Planning Officer. “Simply put, it’s the type of society anyone would wish to step in to. One in which opportunity is equal and respectful, and a place in which friends can be made and new understandings created,” Carolina said.

What’s on

The High Tea will feature a delicious selection of desserts made from the recipes of Macquarie University students and staff, including those from refugee or asylum seeker backgrounds. The Widening Participation Unit collected the recipes last year under The Sweetest Memory project and published them as a book of recipes and memories, which will be available for purchase at the event and online now.

All funds raised through product sales and tickets will go toward the Financial Needs Grant, which was established this year for Macquarie University students from refugee or asylum seeker backgrounds. The grant will assist in fostering meaningful and positive educational experiences for students and contribute to their success.

You can register for The Sweetest Memory High tea now. Tickets are $40 and the event takes place Thursday 20 June from 2:30pm to 4.30pm at the Art Gallery of NSW.

Can’t make it?

You can still support our students of refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds by visiting the Widening Participation Unit online store to purchase The Sweetest Memory, a book of dessert recipes, artworks and personal memories shared by members of our University community.

Every month we celebrate some of the impressive achievements in the Macquarie community. Got something to share for next month? Tell us.

Congratulations to Dr Liz Schroeder who has been appointed as a Commissioner on the National Mental Health Commission.

Dr Schroeder, Senior Research Fellow at Macquarie University’s Centre for the Health Economy, says: “It’s a privilege and honour to be appointed to the role, and I look forward to serving thoughtfully and strategically, and to making a positive contribution.”

The National Mental Health Commission provides advice to the Federal Government on ways to continuously improve mental health and suicide prevention, and reports on ongoing reforms of the mental health system in Australia.

In announcing the appointment, the Federal Health Minister, The Hon. Greg Hunt said the new commissioners were appointed for their experience. “Dr Schroeder has extensive local and international experience in applied research in the economics of complex public health interventions, including mental health and suicide prevention,” he said.

Last month marked the commencement of the autumn graduation series where several honorary doctorates were awarded to Australian and internationally-esteemed community leaders acknowledging their exceptional contributions to society in their fields.

Highlights include Professor Jim Patrick AO receiving a Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) for his contributions to the field of hearing, and broadcaster, author and comedian Wendy Harmer receiving an honorary doctorate in recognition of her ground-breaking work in journalism and comedy.

To view the full list of honorary doctorates visit our Newsroom.

Maria Kovaleva has graduated with a PhD in Electronic Engineering and with the Vice-Chancellor’s Commendation – the highest honour at Macquarie University for a PhD student.

Maria’s supervisor, Professor Karu Esselle expressed his pride and said: “This is believed to be the first ever Vice Chancellor’s Commendation in Engineering at Macquarie University and most likely the first and only Vice Chancellor’s Commendation since PhD research in Electronics was started at the University by Professor Skellern over 25 years ago.

“It is extraordinary to see a woman getting it first in Engineering – a discipline highly dominated by men.”

Dean of the School of Engineering, Professor Darren Bagnall spoke to ThisWeek last year about its ambitious drive to seek out and recruit talented females.

Each year the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) Circle of Excellence Awards recognise institutions whose talented staff members advanced their institution’s last year through innovative, inspiring and creative ideas. During the last round, Macquarie University was lucky enough to win a CASE Silver Circle of Excellence Awards in the category of Fundraising Programs: Targeted Campaigns in recognition of the Firefighters Climb for MND.

In 2015, Macquarie University began a partnership with firefighters from Fire and Rescue NSW to create the Firies Climb for MND event. Held in October each year, firefighters climb the 98 storeys, or 1504 stairs of Sydney Tower Eye wearing the full 20kg firefighting equipment to raise funds for motor neurone disease (MND) research at Macquarie University. At a vertical rise of 250 meters, the climb to the observation deck is a gruelling challenge. Each floor of the stairwell hosts dedicated patients of MND both past and present. It’s a harrowing journey but nothing compared to what families living with MND go through every day.

Since its inception, each year the event smashes its fundraising targets and is huge credit to all involved. In 2015 the event raised an incredible $180,000 for MND research, far exceeding the original goal of $50,000. In 2016 a further $510,990 was raised, in 2017 another $630,100, and in 2018 $779,000 was raised thanks to the overwhelming support from the firefighting community and the general public. This makes over $2,200,000 raised since 2015. Most importantly, the funds raised from the event, along with other fundraising income, have been part of enabling two new MND clinical trials to begin at Macquarie University, along with vital MND research, giving hope to those living with this terrible disease.

Check out our article on the event last year.

The partnership between Macquarie University and Matt of Fire and Rescue NSW began and in 2015, Community Engagement Manager Megan Pope, alongside Matt, co-founded the Firefighters Climb for MND.

We spoke to Megan ahead of this year’s event to be held on 14 October.

How did your involvement in the cause begin?

As part of my job as Community Engagement Manager, I co-founded the event along with NSW firefighter Matt Pridham. Matt contacted me in February 2015 with the idea to create this event. Initially, we thought it would raise $50,000 and we would potentially get 10 firefighters participating. We ended up raising $184,000, followed by $510,000 in 2016.

I have always been involved in helping the firefighters do their own fundraising, but this is the first year that I am representing Macquarie and doing the climb myself.

What made you want to participate this year? And not being a firefighter yourself, how did you get it across the line?

I was able to do the climb thanks to special permission from FRNSW and the Sydney Tower Eye.

Participating in this climb is symbolic of the struggle that people with MND face every day – they face a grueling challenge that is as much physical as it is mental, just like climbing the Tower!

The climb itself is very challenging – you are wearing a 20kg air set on your back, you are wearing the firefighter uniform which is designed not to let smoke or heat in therefore it doesn’t let heat out; the tower is hot and stuffy AND you have to climb 1504 stairs. It really does involve putting your body on the line as it’s such a difficult challenge.

I wanted to represent the MQ community by participating in this climb as an act of solidarity and support to the firies. I wanted to show that the MQ community (staff, students and alumni) are just as committed and passionate about beating MND as the firies who have done this climb year after year, and just as committed as the MND researchers who work tirelessly here at MQ.

What is your fundraising goal? 

Officially, $1504 (one dollar for every step of the tower). However, I have a friendly competition with Matt. Whoever out of the two us raises the most money for MND research by the day of the climb, gets to wear race bib number one. His fundraising total is now at $5200 so I guess my target is $5201!

What has your training entailed? 

Lots and LOTS of stairs. I have been climbing 1504 stairs on the stair machines at the Sport and Aquatic Centre three times per week for the past few weeks, as well as getting out on the weekend to places like the South Coogee stairs for some extra training.

Delayed onset muscle soreness has become my new normal. If you see someone hobbling around campus over the next few weeks, come say hi!

How can staff get involved? 

The number one way would be to make a donation! By making a donation today, you’ll be demonstrating that the MQ community is just as committed to beating MND as all the firies who are doing this climb.

Support Megan by donating here today.