Emerge ACT

06/03/2026

A new article in the latest issue of the Australian Journal of General Practice, the academic journal of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, has delivered a clear message: the RACGP’s HANDI Guide recommending graded exercise for ME/CFS is not supported by sound evidence and should be withdrawn immediately.

The review highlights growing concern within the medical community about the risks of graded exercise therapy for people with ME/CFS.

Emerge Australia welcomes this important scrutiny and will continue advocating for the current HANDI Guide entry for ME/CFS to be withdrawn.

As the article concludes:
“Given the lack of sound research support for graded exercise therapy in ME/CFS, the contraindication of graded exercise therapy by best practice guidelines in the US and the UK, and patient reports of iatrogenic harm, the RACGP guideline, Incremental physical activity for chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis, should be withdrawn immediately.”

https://zurl.co/UokNU

02/03/2026

🌈✨ Celebrating Pride, Accessibly ✨🌈

As Sydney Gay and Le***an Mardi Gras brings colour and community to life, we want to acknowledge that Pride looks different for everyone, especially those living with ME/CFS and long COVID.

For many in our community, attending parades, parties, and late-night events simply isn’t possible. Energy is a finite resource. Participation often requires careful pacing, rest breaks, and sometimes choosing not to attend at all.

We see you. And you belong here.

Pride is not defined by how long you can stand, how far you can march, or how late you can stay out. Pride is also:
💙 Watching from home
💙 Celebrating in quieter spaces
💙 Wearing your colours in comfort
💙 Prioritising your health

Emerge Australia is committed to advocating for accessibility, visibility of invisible disabilities, and inclusive celebration spaces - during Mardi Gras and beyond.

27/02/2026

The next two weeks of our Club Tortoise program are focusing on measuring progress and using tools and devices for managing energy limiting conditions.

Club Tortoise is free for current members - email mecfs@arthritisact.org.au for more information or to join.

25/02/2026

Come along to this online session about legislation reforms to criminialise coercive control in the ACT.

There will be an opportunity to ask questions to government representatives from the Justice and Community Safety Directorate and to give feedback.

Come to this event to:
- Learn about the proposed law reforms
- Hear the different options of legislation
- Learn about legislation in other states that has been recently introduced
- Ask questions about the proposed reforms
- Give feedback directly to government

The event will be held on Zoom on Thursday 5th March from 5.30-6.30pm. RSVP via Eventbrite to get access to the Zoom link and more materials. https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/discussion-coercive-control-legislation-reform-online-tickets-1983494600745?aff=oddtdtcreator

If you have any questions, or if you can’t make the event but would still like to be involved in consultation, please email policy@wwdact.org.au.

22/02/2026

We have our webinar on applying for the DSP today. Members can access the link to join via our newsletters or by emailing us before the start time. It will be recorded.

Join our live online talk in February or get the link to the recording afterwards by contacting mecfs@arthritisact.org.au

21/02/2026

16/02/2026

This week's topic for our Club Tortoise pacing program is 'Tailoring activity to your best time of day' and next week's topic is 'The importance of mental rest'.

Club Tortoise is a free pacing and self-management program for Emerge ACT members with fatiguing and pain conditions, facilitated by peer educators with lived experience of fatiguing and pain conditions. Contact us to learn more and enrol.

16/02/2026

We're often our worst critics, especially when our ability to do things has drastically changed due to living with a chronic illness. This is a recording of one of our members' educational talks from last year on cultivating self-compassion when you have a chronic illness.

If you'd like access to more upcoming live and recorded educational talks, you can become a member by contacting us at 02 6251 2055 or mecfs@arthritisact.org.au

Self-compassion is being kind to oneself during moments of pain or suffering rather than being harshly self-critical. But sometimes treating ourselves with k...

14/02/2026

Spot our CEO, Bec, who is working hard in Victoria at Emerge Australia's planning day 💪

09/02/2026

Want to find a way of managing your ME/CFS, Long COVID or fibromyalgia? Need some more symptom stability and understanding of your condition? We run free and low cost ongoing pacing and self-management courses for managing fatigue and chronic pain conditions - email mecfs@arthritisact.org.au for more information or to enrol.

This talk kickstarts a new program we’re starting called Club Tortoise, which will be a peer support group dedicated to understanding, implementing and probl...

09/02/2026

On tomorrow evening (and every Tuesday evening!), join us for a social catch up via Zoom.

04/02/2026

Need help applying for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) with ME/CFS or long COVID?

You’re not alone. Emerge Australia’s free, self-paced NDIS learning module walks you through the process step by step. You’ll get:
A recorded video presentation
Downloadable worksheets
A template letter for your doctor

✅ After completing the module, join us for a live NDIS Q&A session on Tuesday 17 March at 2:00PM AEDT — a safe and supportive space to ask questions, share experiences, and learn from others going through the same journey.

Find out more and get started here: https://zurl.co/egyux