MS Australia welcomes the announcement of this year’s Australia Day Honours List by the Governor-General on 26 January 2022, and notes that two recipients have close advocacy and other links with multiple sclerosis (MS).
Emily Petricola OAM is a champion para-cyclist who lives with MS, a passionate MS advocate and won gold at the Tokyo Paralympic Games 2020.
Paul Murnane AM has provided a long and dedicated service to the MS community through his various Chair, Non-Executive Director, Director and President roles at many state and national MS Organisations.
MS touches many in the community – over 7.6 million Australians know or have a loved one living with MS. As such, we are pleased to see the MS links in the recipient field, which helps in our ongoing efforts to spotlight the disease and the diverse, important work undertaken in the MS space in Australia.
MS Australia will continue to play its role in raising awareness, advocating, and prioritising our efforts into the treatment, prevention, and the holy grail: a cure for people with MS and we acknowledge and congratulate the following recipients.
Ms Emily Petricola – Medal in the General Division (OAM)
For service to sport as a gold medallist at the Tokyo Paralympic Games 2020.
Para-cyclist, Teacher and MS advocate.
Mr Paul Murnane – Member of the Order of Australia (AM)
For significant service to the not-for-profit sector, the performing arts, and to business.
Chair (2010-2019), Co-Founder (2004) and Non-Executive Director (2006-2009) MS Research Australia | Director (1996-2019) MS Australia |Inaugural Chair (2006-2007) and Director (2006-2012) MS Limited | President & Chair (2001-2006) and Non-Executive Director (1996-2001) Multiple Sclerosis Society NSW.
We wish to congratulate all the Australia Day 2022 Honours nominees and awardees for their achievements and tireless work.
MS Australia also acknowledges and congratulates Mr Dylan Alcott – Australian of the Year 2022, who is an incredible advocate in the disability space and role model for all Australians.
In an interview with ABC Radio’s Adam Shirley broadcast yesterday, Dylan mentioned many issues close to our advocacy heart and relevant to the MS community including employment, accessible workplaces, disclosure, unconscious bias, the importance of lived experience, plus visible and invisible disability. Referencing the many types of disability people live with in Australia and the challenges they face, he said rhetorically, “What if I was a 40-year-old woman living with MS?”
Dylan you are an outstanding ambassador and advocate, and we are thrilled you have been recognised in this way.
The Australia Day 2022 Honours List recognises 1040 Australians, and you can read more here.
His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd) Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia is Patron of MS Australia.
