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.

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.

Juliette Jones is 14.

Three years ago, she lost her grandfather to motor neurone disease (MND), a condition that causes the death of cells in the spinal cord that control functions including speaking, swallowing and, ultimately, breathing.

In most cases, it is fatal within two to four years of diagnosis.

When her grandfather died, the then 11-year-old started raising funds for research into a cure for the condition.

“I couldn’t believe there was no cure or effective treatment, so I decided I wasn’t going to sit by and do nothing,” Juliette says.

“I started my own business called CSJ leMoNaiD – C for my mum Claudia, S for my grandfather Sam and J is for me, Juliette – selling a range of products made from lemons at my local market.”

In fact, Juliette’s business is so successful she’s presented the Macquarie University’s MND Research Centre with $36,000: a cheque for $33,000 which she promptly topped up, on the spot, with a further $3000.

“It’s been a tough two years working to help save people with MND,” Juliette said at the presentation. “It’s taught me so much about life in general and pretty much changed my whole life.”

In gratefully accepting the donation, Macquarie University neurologist, Professor Dominic Rowe AM described Juliette’s efforts as “herculean.”

“Finding a cure for MND is a marathon, not a sprint,” Professor Rowe said. “People bounce out of bed each day to fix the disease, because it can be fixed. But we can do our work only through the help and enthusiasm of fundraisers like Juliette and leMoNaiD. Indeed, our team can take a lesson from their hope, focus, energy and tenacity.”

Professor Rowe said the University currently is undertaking two world-first trials designed to significantly prolong the survival of MND sufferers, potentially by “thousands of a percent.”

Juliette, who describes the CSJ team as “warriors fighting against a disease that is really scary”, says she wants to stop MND in its tracks through the “#powerofsour”, and plans to continue contributing her business profits to the research.

You can help support the cause by purchasing leMoNaiD at the campus store, library or online, with all profits going to MND research at Macquarie. For those who’d like to taste-test,  there’ll be a pop-up stall by the library on Thursday, May 4 from 10 to 2pm.

The day was filled will great energy with more than 440 firefighters with their families, members of the public, patients and volunteers coming together in the fundraising spirit and creating great atmosphere in the heart of the city.

Channel 9 news covered the event, as well as the Daily Telegraph, and fundraising teams also generated interest with their local papers in the lead up to event.  

The funds raised with go directly to the MND Research Centre, which is the largest MND research facility in Australia and currently employs 40 researchers and 12 clinicians involved in the research effort.

Last year’s inaugural fundraising climb saw 165 firefighters from throughout New South Wales raise more than $180,000 thanks to overwhelming support from the firefighting community and the general public.

Expanding treatments for the ‘Australian’ cancer
The chances of surviving melanoma are getting better every year. But some cancers still become ‘resistant’ to treatment, and others don’t respond at all. Read more.

What happens next?
You’re in hospital: should you stay? Should you leave? What’s your risk of dying? Read more.

Saving lives with better processes
How can a doctor in a small practice with only one or two GPs learn from the mistakes of doctors across the country? Read more.

More accurate readings of the heart
Almost everyone has had their blood pressure measured with an inflatable cuff around the arm. But as useful as this is, it can differ from a reading taken at the heart itself. Read more.

Widening the net on Motor Neurone Disease
Recent advances pinpointing genes involved in the inherited form of Motor Neurone Disease (MND) are now being used to hunt for the culprits of ‘sporadic’ cases. Read more.

An international study led by Dr Kelly Williams and Associate Professor Ian Blair from the Department of Biomedical Sciences in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences has linked the cause of two seemingly unrelated diseases: motor neurone disease (MND) and frontotemporal dementia.

The recently-released research was published in Nature Communications, and featured on Channel 10 news and Channel 9 news nationally.

Dr Williams and Associate Professor Blair identified variations in a gene called CCNF in a discovery that has significant implications for further studies into the cause of both conditions as well as research into patient treatments.

The gene variations were initially found in some patients with the inherited form of the diseases, but were also subsequently found in some with the ‘sporadic’ forms, which are those without a family history of these diseases.

While there was an earlier discovery of another gene implicated in causing these diseases, Macquarie’s researchers were able to extend the study by identifying a common pathway by which CCNF mutations seem to cause both diseases.

“A hallmark feature of most MND and frontotemporal dementia patients is the presence of abnormal proteins in the dying nerves. A functioning CCNF gene assists in ridding neurones, or nerves, of abnormal or excess proteins. Our research found that the mutations in the gene appear to disrupt this process causing nerve death,” said Associate Professor Blair.

Gene variations in CCNF were found in patients from across the world including Australia, Canada, Italy, Spain, Japan, the United States and United Kingdom, with implications for global populations and diagnostics around the world.

“While a relatively small number of patients who have MND or frontotemporal dementia have this abnormal gene, this research points to a pathway of nerve death that may be common among many, if not most patients,” said Associate Professor Blair.

This research is an important step that represents another ‘smoking gun’ to help develop and test therapies and add to diagnostic regimes for these diseases and to the bank of knowledge about their biology.

“We can use this research to replicate the disease in a lab environment to explore the occurrence in both ‘inherited’ and sporadic forms, which will assist us in identifying potential treatments to slow disease progression, and further down the line, find cures for both,’ said Dr Williams.