1957
The first public meeting was held with a small group of supporters, on 14th December in an office in Queen Street, organised by the late Mr Bill Mathers - these were the initial steps to form the Society.
1958
The Society was constituted and the first President, Mr Bill Mathers was appointed. Mr Mather's wife had MS. The opening bank balance in 1958 was $1,268.
1960
Income $1,986 Costs $1,988
1961
Income $1,244 Costs $444
Main source of income was achieved by a state wide drive for used dentists' amalgam. This year over 600 pounds in weight was collected for refining for re-use. The Society was paid per pound of collected product.
1962
Society funded a survey conducted by the Department of Social Studies at the University of Queensland, into the domestic and social needs of people with MS.
1963
Welfare Committee formed, concentrating on patient services - home visiting, transportation and offering communication assistance, keeping people with MS in touch with each other.
The establishment of a clinic is the main focus of current committee.
1964
The purchase of the first property - 179/181 Maldon Street as a location vision for a Centre. The purchase was made possible by a "very large" interest free loan by Mr W Mathers of $4,000.
1966
The Society was incorporated by "Letters Patent" under "The Religious, Educational and Charitable Institutions Acts 1861 to 1967".
1967
The purchase of 177 Maldon Street, Dutton Park for $7,500 -loaned by CBA for the purpose of building a Rehabilitation and Treatment Clinic. The executive forecast that balance of loan payment will happen by June 1968, for building to commence.
1968
Income 56,014 Costs $1,427 Accumulated assets $28,671.
1969
Toowoomba Ladies Auxiliary was formed.
1970
Brisbane Ladies Auxiliary was formed.
1971
The Society's first commercial fundraising venture, the Valley Thrift Shop, 278 Wickham Street, Fortitude Valley, was opened. Bundaberg Auxiliary was formed. National MS Society formed 27th October.
1972
Income $28,412 Costs $22,229 Mr A J Dolley became President The first full-time Executive Director, Trevor Hinwood was appointed on June 5th. Northside Auxiliary formed. Weekly handcraft classes commenced and a part-time Occupational Therapist was employed.
1973
2nd June loan documents signed for $250,000 from ANZ for Building Project (Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Centre).
Purchase of 173 Annerley Road for Administration Building. Purchase of 11 Denbigh Street. Passing away of Mr Bill Mathers, first President.
1958 -- 1960.
Mr Mather's staff donated $5,000 in his memory. Purchase of holiday home at Lot 26, Howard Street, Hollywell on Gold Coast - 30.2 perches - cost $35,000. The home was later named McKinnon House, in memory of a 20 year old young man McKinnon Chuffey of Inala, who drowned in Churchbank Weir in January l974. Prior to his death, McKinnon spent most of his free time assisting physically handicapped families. This was the first year the Society operated on a full time professional basis. Fundraising programs included:
Greyhound Art Union
Lucky Number envelopes in retail stores
Queensland Showjumping Championships at Beenleigh
The Tour of Liberace's Clothes
Boat show on Brisbane River
Thrift Shop
Auxiliaries
1974
Trevor Hinwood CEO appointed Vice President of the National MS Society. Full and part-time staff engaged in fundraising, administration and patient services, now total 21.
Southside Handicapped Persons Day Centre now operates from basement of Granston Lodge. Chaired by Mr Don Cameron, MP. Patients accepted as of 3rd June to Granston Lodge Nursing Home.
Official opening of Granston Lodge on Sunday 8th September, by the Hon Sir Gordon Chalk, KBE, MLA, LLD (Hon), Deputy Premier and Treasurer of Queensland. Townsville Auxiliary formed.
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER
1974
MS NEWSLETTER
Brief Summary of our Assets
Granston Lodge estimated final cost $298,226
Mortgage ANZ Bank $225,000
173 Annerley Road, purchase price June '73 $21,000
Mortgage CBA Bank $15,000
11 Denbigh Street, purchase price June '73 $18,657
Mortgage Sun State Permanent Bldg Society $13,500
McKinnon House purchase price Feb '74 $35,000
Mortgage Gold Coast Permanent Bldg Society $31,500
Motor Vehicles - Datsun Truck, Valiant, Torana.
The Society also owns approximately $45,000.00 worth of equipment.
Treasurer, Mr Hinwood commented, "This has been a tremendous effort but our operating expenses for 1975 will be enormous, due to the vast expansion of our para-medical services. With continued help we will progress even further with our rehabilitation policies."
1975
Gina Lollobrigida visited the Society in March - tour organised by Apex Australia for a national "Aid to MS" Project whose target was $1 million for a 1 year campaign.
To date in Queensland $30,000 has been achieved. Queensland monies were used to fund the building of a indoor heated swimming pool on ground floor of Granston Lodge.
1976
Purchase of Lot 2, Howard Street, Hollywell for $27,000. This land was located next door to McKinnon House. Official opening of the Neurological Rehabilitation Unit by Senator Margaret Guilfoyle in April.
The first MS scholarship for research in MS by trainee medical practitioners was offered to the medical faculty of the University of Queensland. The 'Wednesday Ladies' was formed by a group of three dedicated volunteers to assist in the Lodge.
1977
The first MS statewide Art Union was launched.
1978
The first of three independent accommodation flats purchased in Denbigh Street, as an alternative option to nursing home care. Granston Lodge air conditioned at a cost of $35,000.
Appointment of first PR Officer - Gweneth Lawton.
Lucky ticket machines now number 150 throughout Queensland. Granston Lodge resident canteen built by Boggo Road prisoners.
1979
Fundraising activities included the launching of The Key of Hope, and the MS Happy Wanderers Tour of Norfolk Island.
1980
The first male quest "MS Mr Spunky" was launched.1981
Granston Lodge expands from 40 beds to 60. Cost of project $250,000.
Fundraising office opened in three storey South Brisbane building with 30 telephone staff on one floor, general office staff on another, and product marking and distribution of goods on the third. The month of June saw the opening of the MS Discount Mart - new and used goods and clothing.
Street collection involving 26 schools in Brisbane and MS staff collecting $14,302. Wheelchair Rally launched by Senator Flo Bjelke-Peterson raised $8,500 towards the purchase of a MS bus.
1982
Launch of MS Quests of '82 by Greg Chappell.
1983
MS Sports Auction - Betty Cuthbert, guest of honour -$4,000 raised. Trevor Farrell, elected Junior Vice President.
1984
Trevor Farrell appointed Executive Director. Research grants by Society and the Federal Govt Funding Body (NH & MRC) this year amounted to $800,000 - more than treble the funds available when the Society began financing research in 1979. 3rd June - 10th Birthday celebrations for Granston Lodge.
1985
Rugby Union Wallaby team dinner and auction raised $8,000 and was attended by 530 guests.
People with MS Queensland was formed - now known as PwMSQ.
Refurbished house on corner of Gladstone road and Maldon Street was opened to accommodate the Society's administration. Federal Health Minister Dr Blewett announced Government approval for the introduction to Australia of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanners. Each scanner will cost over $2 million and will be installed in one major hospital in each State.
1987
Launch of Capital Appeal chaired by Sir John Rowell.Opening of 20 bed extension to Granston Lodge by Minister for Community Service, Mr Chris Hurford, MHR.
1988
Launch of the MS Limited Edition Art Union.
1990
First Queensland state seminar for 21 PwMSQ Council members and contact people held in Brisbane. Launch of MS read-a-thon.
1991
In-Home Support and Accommodation service established.
1992
Total number of MS Mutual Support Groups in Queensland now number 19 - representing people with MS from the Gold Coast to Cairns and west to Mount Isa.
People with MS in Queensland continue to avail themselves of a wide range of services offered free of charge by the Society, of which many are now community based rather than centre based. In the past year, some of these services are included in the following:
Physio; on average our Dutton Park Unit provides Physiotherapy to 250 people per week - 1,150 per year.
Psychologist; would have contact via assessment counselling, and personal interviews with over 1,200 people per year. Social worker speaks with, and visits, approximately 1,900 individuals and families per year.
Our residents are catered for with 45,864 meals prepared each year, not including celebrations and special functions.
The Recreational officer organises numerous outings, which include picnics, theatre, sporting, shopping and the list goes on - all choices of the residents of Granston Lodge.
Occupational Therapists make on average 1,040 visits per year to people with MS within the Centre and in their homes, offering a personal service of individual needs rather than only centre based group activities.
We now have 120 full and part-time staff, covering areas of client services, finance, administration, marketing and fundraising.
1993
This marked the 35 th anniversary of the Society.
The inaugural "Great Queensland Bike Ride" between Bundaberg and Brisbane took place in August / September and raised in excess of $60,000.
Bequests received during the year totalled $1.1 million, which included $350,000 from the late Mrs Clare Albiez to be dedicated to research. Her wishes were carried out with the setting up of a Fellowship to carry out further investigations into promising lines of research such as immunology, neurophysiology, DNA metabolism and computer imaging.
1994
A new bike ride "Brissie to the Bay", sponsored by Medibank Private commenced as a fundraiser for the Society, with 1,000 cyclists riding from Brisbane to Manly.
With the assistance of a $10,000 donation from the AMP Foundation to purchase specialised equipment, the Society was able to expand its physiotherapy facility with the new service operating from the Bundall Community Health Centre on the Gold Coast.
A 008 (now 1 800) phone service was introduced to provide information and support to people with multiple sclerosis. A full time information officer was also employed to facilitate the information flow.
1995
A statewide outreach program was initiated to inform people with MS, their carers, families and friends and local service providers about the latest developments in MS treatment and management and the type of assistance provided by the Society. During the year, outreach trips were made to 14 regional centres.
The MS Clinic was established. The clinic is a centre of excellence at the Royal Brisbane Hospital headed by leading Queensland MS researcher Professor Michael Pender. The MS Clinic will focus on all areas of identified need including; Treatment, Information, Diagnosis, Research and Education.
A further new initiative was the establishment of the "Specialised Care Network", whose primary role is to manage care for people in their own homes. The Network has already trained more than 50 carers in specialised techniques including MS and its management, safety procedures, continence management, back care and social and emotional support.
Other initiatives undertaken include: Special information sessions for newly diagnosed people with MS. A physiotherapy service was established at Redcliffe.
1996
The inaugural MS Conference was held attracting more than 140 people.
MS read-a-thon attracted a record number of young participants.
1997
A Policy Advisory Committee of the board was formed with its first project being to formulate a ten year strategic plan from which will emerge the blueprint for future direction.
1998
Brissie to the Bay bike ride attracted a record 2,100 entrants.
Highlight of the MS Week celebrations was the visit of Joseph Hartzler, the US Attorney who prosecuted the Oklahoma bomber. Joe, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in the late 80's, was guest speaker at a fundraising luncheon seminar for the legal fraternity.
1999
McKinnon House, the Society's holiday house on the Gold Coast used to film the television series "Flipper". |
