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24th August 2004

24th April 2003

Go to the Awareness Week 2003 webpage for the details and see how you can be a part. Don't forget to look at the report on last year's Awareness Week 2002 to see what we did and what was achieved.

To see what it's all about check out the Awareness Week 2003 activities and the website for "Cold February" the band performing the song.

26th March 2003

So check out the Awareness Week 2003 webpage for all the details and how you can be a part.. You can also look at the report on last year's Awareness Week 2002 to see what we did and what was achieved.

10th February 2003

The seminar is set for 3rd of May and will have as guest speakers Dr ChristopherBagot GP speaking on “Management of CFS/ME/FM”, as well as John Berrill BA LLB from Maurice, Blackburn, Cashman, lawyers, on “Employment, Superannuation and Insurance and CFS/ME”. We all know that managing CFS is an ongoing struggle as our health changes from one day to the next, and having just been through months of legal battles with an insurance company over my condition I know how relevant this area is to many of us.

Of course, the main purpose of Awareness Week is to raise awareness with the general populace of what CFS/ME is and its cost both personally and to the community. There are many ways that you can help to do this and, importantly, with very little effort. For details check out the Awareness Week 2003 webpage. You can also look at the report on last year's Awareness Week 2002 to see what we did and what was achieved.

6th November 2002

"Commotion on the Murray is drawing to a close. Ash Thomas and Nathan Fenton arrived home on Thursday nite, after completing their descent of the Murray River. The trip took the guys 64 hours and 14 minutes, and covered a distance of 2037 km, or roughly Melbourne to Brisbane. Along the way, Nathan also set a new Unofficial World Record, for the longest ski tube ride in history, setting the bar at an amazing 301 km!
    Together with these remarkable feats, the guys also used the trip to raise awareness about Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, by conducting radio interviews along the river, and speaking to many people in the towns and on the river banks. They handed out information brochures on the condition, and promotional lollies, and were amazed by the generosity that many people displayed. A number of people actually opened their wallets there and then to give a donation.
    There were so many amusing, (and often expensive...),  moments on this trip, that we urge you to read about them, and look at the photos that we have put up on the web. We hope that you will get at least a chuckle from our good (and mis-) fortunes, just as we did.
    Our thanks go out to all those that helped Ash and Nathan with this project. It would not have been possible without the assistance of Advance Petroleum, Evergreen Health, Tawco Products Australia, R & E Autos, Sign a Rama, Suga Lollies, Kerr & Thomas Solicitors, and of course the CFS/ME Society of Victoria. Please support the people and business' that support us, and our thanks to them. Also, thanks to Lyn Thomas, Jan Fenton and Chris Mannering for providing the best support team for us.
    I hope you enjoy our adventure, as much as we did. See you out there!!"

For more information on the trip you can view his website at  http://www.geocities.com/ash_on_mtb/

15th August 2002

Ash has had CFS/ME for 5 years and is showing signs of recovery although he still has relapses.

The trip will entail 2300 km of boat travel, 15 days, 13 locks, 2 dams, and will span 3 states.

Ash is a member of the society and has its full support for his venture. We admire his initiative, courage and determination. He is well organized and is currently looking for sponsors to help with the costs.

For more information on the trip you can view his website at  http://www.geocities.com/ash_on_mtb/

18th July 2002

Donations form an important part of the society's income and help to provide a number of different services. The online facility has been setup to help those viewing this website who are interested in supporting our work to be able to donate via the internet. 

Clicking on the link above will take you to our webpage on the ourcommunity website. Instructions are included on the page.

Donations are tax deductible.

Web Administrator's Note: I must apologize for the lateness of this news. Those of you who were at the AGM will have already heard it and I hope you will agree that it is important enough to be announced in spite of the delay.

HELP AT HAND FOR CHRONIC FATIGUE

The Bracks Government will give the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Society of Victoria $90,000 over three years to better support the 10,000 Victorians who suffer from the debilitating illness, Health Minister, John Thwaites said today.

Myalgic encephalomyelitis, or chronic fatigue syndrome is an illness characterised by extreme exhaustion.

Mr Thwaites said the funding would help the Society with its rent, phone, postage and utilities costs and allow it to better support its members.

The Society has a reference centre and lending library to provide people with medical and other information, and a support line for people with the debilitating condition.

"The cause of chronic fatigue syndrome is unknown, and recovery can take years," Mr Thwaites said.

"Some people don't recover at all, and suffer relapses for the rest of their lives.

"Some people with the condition are too ill to work, study or socialise, and suffer depression as a result – particularly when others don't take their condition seriously."

Mr Thwaites said the funding was part of the Bracks Government's support to health self-help groups.

In June this year Mr Thwaites announced funding of $115,200 to more than 200 self-help groups to help them with their important tasks.

He said many of the groups involved people with a chronic illness or condition and their families.

"People who are helping themselves and their families play an important role in the health care system, and need support themselves," he said.

Channel 9 news on the same day covered the cheque handover and featured members of the Committee of Management and a story on one of our members, Shelley.

On Friday 3rd August 2001, the Premier of Victoria, the Hon Steve Bracks, presented Volunteer Award certificates to a number of the Society's key volunteers at a ceremony held by the local MP Mr Bob Stensholt.

In addition, the Society and three of the Committee have received Awards for their volunteer services from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) in August 2001.

We are interested in learning about what your life is like with CFS/ME, how you manage, and how you understand CFS/ME. 

This study involves participating in a confidential interview (in your own home if desired) for approximately 20 minutes* and completing a short questionnaire. 

For further information, please contact David Evans from the Centre for the Study of Health and Society. 

David can be contacted by email at: 
d.evans2@pgrad.unimelb.edu.au
or by telephone on 0408 313 743.