The Hospital Research Foundation Group - Parkinsons ACT

07/01/2026

Hot weather can make Parkinson’s symptoms more challenging. With warmer days ahead this week, a few small changes can help you stay safe, cool and well.

Swipe for five practical tips to manage Parkinson’s during hot weather and remember to take extra care of yourself and those around you.

22/10/2025

⏳ Just 1 week to go!

The ACT Parkinson’s Conference is happening next Wednesday, 29th October...and it’s shaping up to be an unmissable event.

🎤 Featuring a live Q&A panel and four highly specialised speakers, this is your chance to hear directly from experts in Parkinson’s research, care, and lived experience.

Whether you're living with Parkinson’s, supporting someone who is, or simply want to learn more, this day is for you.

🎟️ Haven’t registered yet? There’s still time! Get your tickets with the link below.

https://give.hospitalresearch.org.au/event/act-parkinsons-conference-2025

15/10/2025

⏳ Just 2 weeks to go!

The ACT Parkinson’s Conference is coming up on Wednesday, 29th October, and it’s shaping up to be an event you won’t want to miss. We have over 200 tickets sold already so get in soon if you don't want to miss out!

🎤 With a live Q&A panel and four expert speakers covering Parkinson’s research, care, and lived experience, this is your chance to hear directly from those at the forefront of the field.

Whether you're living with Parkinson’s, supporting someone who is, or simply curious to learn more, this day is designed for you.

🎟️ Haven’t registered yet? There’s still time! Secure your spot via the link below:

👉 https://give.hospitalresearch.org.au/event/act-parkinsons-conference-2025

13/10/2025

🧠 Free Seminar: Navigating Neurological Care with Sarah Reid

Tuesday, 25 November 2025
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Parkinson’s ACT Office, Deakin

We’re thrilled to welcome Sarah Reid, Senior Occupational Therapist and neurological rehabilitation expert, for a special seminar hosted by Parkinson’s ACT.

Sarah brings over a decade of experience working across public and private hospitals, managing complex neurological caseloads and leading stroke and neuro rehab teams. She’s held senior roles at North Canberra Hospital and The Canberra Hospital and has collaborated on research exploring the link between stroke and cognitive function.

Currently in private practice, Sarah supports individuals living with Parkinson’s and other neurological conditions and continues to work closely with the Hospital Research Foundation Group Parkinson’s ACT, local neurologists, and allied health professionals.

This seminar is ideal for:
✔️ People living with Parkinson’s
✔️ Carers and family members
✔️ Allied health professionals
✔️ Anyone interested in neurological care and rehabilitation

🎟️ Free to attend, registration essential
👉 https://register.hospitalresearch.org.au/event/parkinsons-community-seminar-act-november

03/10/2025

🧠 Got a burning question about Parkinson’s? 🎤

We’re gearing up for the ACT Parkinson’s Conference on 29th October, and we want YOUR questions for our expert Q&A Panel!

Whether it’s about research, treatment, living well, or supporting someone with Parkinson’s, no question is too big or small.

📩 Submit your questions now and be part of the conversation that matters by emailing us at pactinfo@fightingparkinsons.org.au, or by commenting below!

Still haven't registered for the conference? There is still time, get your tickets here:
https://give.hospitalresearch.org.au/event/act-parkinsons-conference-2025

29/09/2025

🎉 Just 1 month to go! 🎉

Tickets are selling fast for the 2025 ACT Parkinson’s Conference. Don’t miss your chance to join us!

🗓️ Wednesday, 29th October 2025
📍 Canberra Southern Cross Club, Woden
⏰ 9:00am – 5:00pm
💵 $40 per ticket

This year’s theme: The Power Within: Living Well, Living Strong with Parkinson’s.
Hear from inspiring keynote speakers Dr Melissa McConaghy, A/Prof Natalie Allen, and Prof Simon Lewis, plus explore the latest in Parkinson’s support and research at our exhibition stalls.

Limited tickets available, secure yours today!
👉 Get your tickets here: https://give.hospitalresearch.org.au/event/act-parkinsons-conference-2025

See you there!

27/09/2025

🧠 Young at Park Canberra: Next group meeting tomorrow!

Living with young onset Parkinson’s? Come along to our next meeting, a supportive space for people of working age to connect, share, and find community with others who understand the journey. Family and friends are also welcome!

📅 When: Sunday 28th September, 2:00-4:00pm
📍 Where: The RUC, 54 McCaughey Street, Turner
🔗 Register here: https://register.hospitalresearch.org.au/event/young-onset-support-group---parkinsons-act/

Let’s grow stronger together. ✨

25/09/2025

🌟 Speaker Spotlight: Jenny 🌟

We’re thrilled to welcome Jenny to the stage at the 2025 ACT Parkinson’s Conference!
A registered nurse and midwife, Jenny was diagnosed with Young Onset Parkinson’s in 2016. Her journey, marked by personal resilience and the loss of her father to end-stage Parkinson’s, has fueled her fierce advocacy for better support and care.

Since joining the PACT committee in 2019, Jenny has been both the heart of the women’s support group and a passionate campaigner for a dedicated community Parkinson’s nurse.

Her story is powerful and we are so lucky that she is sharing it with us.

📅 Wednesday 29th October
📍 Canberra Southern Cross Club, Woden
⏰ 9am–5pm
💵 $40

If you would like to hear Jenny's story, make sure to get your tickets here: https://give.hospitalresearch.org.au/event/act-parkinsons-conference-2025

05/09/2025

Conference update: We have yet another brilliant speaker to introduce to you!

Associate Professor Natalie Allen is a physiotherapist and academic at The University of Sydney, Australia. Her research focuses on exercise interventions aimed at helping people with Parkinson’s disease to live well by optimising movement, managing pain and reducing falls, along with exploring ways to improve health service delivery.

She has published over 50 peer reviewed journal articles and book chapters and has a field weighted citation index of 3.06 (SciVal) indicating her work has been cited 206% more than expected for her field.

A/Prof Allen regularly presents her work at national and international conferences and was invited to present at the International Movement Disorders Society Congress and the World Parkinson’s Congress. She has also worked with the World Health Organisation as part of an expert panel designing a package of rehabilitation interventions for people with Parkinson’s disease. Natalie is active in the Parkinson’s community and makes regular presentations to Parkinson’s groups.

If you would like to learn from A/Prof Allen, as well as our other stellar lineup, make sure to get your tickets here:
https://give.hospitalresearch.org.au/event/act-parkinsons-conference-2025

14/08/2025

It's time to meet another of our fabulous lineup of speakers!

We're thrilled to welcome Professor Simon Lewis back to the ACT.

Simon Lewis is a Consultant Neurologist, an NHMRC Leadership Fellow and Professor of Cognitive Neurology at Macquarie University. He has published over 300 peer review papers, 2 books and 8 book chapters and has helped to attract over $40 Million in funding from various sources including the NHMRC, MRFF, ARC and Michael J Fox Foundation to support his research targeting Parkinson’s Disease, Dementia with Lewy Bodies and related conditions.

Professor Lewis will present an overview of the Australian Parkinson’s Mission (APM), a world-first initiative integrating platform trial design, biomarker science, and precision medicine in Parkinson’s disease.

He will also be a part of our expert Q&A panel, so when you register make sure to fill out a question for him!

Get your tickets here:
https://give.hospitalresearch.org.au/event/act-parkinsons-conference-2025

13/08/2025

Our August Seminar is fast approaching!

We're excited to welcome Lori Drennan, who will be discussing management strategies for speech and swallowing symptoms related to Parkinson's. She will also discuss the LSVT Loud program for Parkinson's, of which Brindabella speech is a licenced provider.

Lori Drennan is a dedicated speech pathologist and team leader at Brindabella Speech Therapy. She holds a Master’s in Speech and Hearing Sciences from Washington State University and moved from the United States to Canberra in 2015. After more than a decade here, she proudly calls Canberra home.

Lori is a Mum to two beloved greyhounds and brings a calm, thoughtful presence to her work. She specialises in supporting adults with communication and swallowing difficulties, with particular interest in neurological conditions and stuttering.

With a compassionate and evidence-based approach, Lori is committed to empowering individuals to communicate confidently and maintain their quality of life. She values collaboration and works closely with clients, families, and healthcare teams to provide person-centred, functional care that makes a meaningful difference.

You can register for this seminar here: https://register.hospitalresearch.org.au/event/parkinsons-community-seminar-act-august

06/08/2025

Did you see us on the news?

We're so proud of the advocacy work that our community does. Jenny Miragaya and Marcia Kimball met with Rosie King from ABC this week to discuss the ever-growing need for an additional community funded Parkinson's nurse - and pushed for the government to deliver on their election commitment.

A big thanks to Rosie from the ABC, our wonderful advocates and all those who have called or written in with messages of support.

Together, we're doing the work to maximise choice and independence for those living with Parkinson's, and their loved ones, in the ACT.

Canberra's Parkinson's community has long been campaigning for the ACT government to employ a specialist Parkinson's nurse who can visit patients at home. The ACT government says planning is underway to create the position but a start date has yet to be confirmed.