MS Tasmania News

MSFest lifts the bar on festivals

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:39:00 +1100

Addition of two of Australia’s current hottest acts: Matt Corby + Sans Cisco AND announcement of new festival ticket price of $77 (+ booking fees)

Matt Corby - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IglwAVcuE6c

San Cisco - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukNOaKeUEQY

MSFest will this year lead the way changing the way music festivals are run in Australia.

There has been a lot in the media in the past months about festivals from all around Australia struggling or cancelling. In particular, the mother of all festivals, The Big Day Out has recently announced they will make huge losses this year. Increased act costs leading to an ever increasing spiral in ticket prices has resulted in smaller crowds and consequently unprofitable festivals.

MSFest have seen the writing on the wall and as the next major festival in Tasmania have announced major steps to make this the best value festival that Australia will see this summer.

The first addition to the line up is Matt Corby the hottest act in Australia at the moment. Matt Corby’s new record Into the Flame, is heading like a rocket to Number one in the ARIA charts, after moving from Number 42 to Number 8 in a single week. His massive hit Brother came in at number 3 in the Triple J Hottest 100, which was broadcast nationwide on Australia Day.

In addition to Matt Corby, the Indie sensation, San Cisco will also be performing. This four piece from Fremantle with its kooky garage pop saw huge success with the single Awkward that landed at number 7 in the Hottest 100, the first single off their second EP, Golden Revolver.

“It seems that festivals need to now add the very hottest current acts to get the attention of people. This is a paradigm shift. To some extent, long term programming is becoming redundant,” says event manager, Charles Touber.

But surely the best news is the announcement that MSFest have reduced their ticket price to $77, making this festival serious value for the ticket price. And this in a year when, for the first time, MSFest will have five international acts on the bill as well as a huge line up of national acts.

According to Charles Touber “this move was to pre-empt what is happening on the mainland and to provide what the festival goers are asking for: value for money. It’s a super tough market out there and a time when organisers need to consider the scale and style of their event. It seemed easy for festivals to over spend and then just increase the price of the ticket and expect punters to foot the bill - but that approach is failing now”

Charles Touber also said people were looking for a better environment at Festivals. “People will no longer cop being unable to see the stage and being unable to properly see and hear the acts. Boutique festivals are the ones finding favour in the market. For this reason we have decided to cap attendance at 10,000 in 2012. We want people to have the advantages of a festival but also to be able to enjoy a more intimate connection with the music and ensure basic facilities are not overloaded,” said Mr Touber

Stuart Harris, Marketing Manager of The MS Society said, “As a charity we need to consider the value we offer to the public to ensure we achieve our goal to get a positive message out about MS and to educate and engage with this market. We are very excited about the additions to the line up and the reduced ticket price that we have been able to achieve”.

MSFest however regrets to announce that owing to illness, Fat Freddy’s Drop is unable to appear at this year’s festival as previously advised. The band’s management regrets this decision but it is unavoidable owing to specialist surgery for a member of the band. Fat Freddy have needed to postpone their entire Australian tour.

The event will still retain all its ingredients such as the Main stage, Dance arena, Silent disco and Community village. Charles said “this year MSFest will have a true festival feel and set in the pristine parklands of the Queens Domain. With a great line up in a great location with views over Hobart city, festival goers really have something to look forward to.”

From Thursday February 2 all tickets will be available from outlets at $77(+ booking fees). As a special offer to ALL those who have already purchased tickets, they will be able to get one extra ticket-at no charge. They will simply have to contact the outlet where they purchased the ticket, with the ticket as proof, to receive the extra ticket for a friend.

To keep up to date go to www.msfest.org.auor http://www.facebook.com/MSFestTas

Smoking and MS

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 09:39:00 +1100

There is significant evidence that smoking increases the risk of developing MS and that it also affects the rate at which MS progresses.

Over the past decade, a number of studies on the association between smoking and MS have been conducted worldwide in countries where MS is prevalent, including Norway, Sweden, the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia. Here in Tasmania, the Menzies Research Institute conducted a study from 2002 to 2004 to examine the association between smoking and MS. This particular study concluded that, “smoking was associated with worsening clinical measures of disease progression.” (Pittas et al 2009)

The results of all these studies are clear. Compared with a non-smoker:

A person who smokes is more likely to develop MS.
A smoker runs a greater risk of developing primary progressive MS rather than relapsing-remitting.
A smoker runs an increased risk of progressing from relapsing-remitting MS to a secondary progressive form.
A smoker can have more rapid progression of their symptoms, with more clinical relapses, a more rapid progression of disability, and the development of more new lesions that are visible on MRI scans.

Scientific evidence also suggests that a smoker with MS can slow down their disease progression if they give up smoking.

While not yet fully explored by the scientific community, some other important facts have emerged from the research:

Passive smoking appears to create the risk of developing MS. A research project conducted in France in 2007 concluded that the children of parents who smoke have an increased tendency to develop MS.
Heavy smokers are at greater risk of adverse effects than those who smoke less.

In his very recent research paper on this subject, Dean M. Wingerchuk (2012) concludes that ” the available evidence supports cigarette smoking as an independent risk factor for MS susceptibility and associates smoking with a greater chance of developing progressive disease and accruing more rapid disability.”

If you would like to give up smoking, speak to your GP or contact Quit Tasmania on 137 848 for information, advice and support, or to order a free Quit Pack.

References:

Adam E. Handel et al. Smoking and Multiple Sclerosis: An Updated Meta-Analysis

http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0016149

Brian C. Healy, et al. Smoking and Disease Progression in Multiple Sclerosis

http://archneur.ama-assn.org/cgi/reprint/66/7/858.pdf

The following articles are not available online. If you would like a printed copy, please contact the MS Society on 1800 676 721.

Fotini Pittas et al. Smoking is associated with progressive disease course and increased progression in clinical disability in a prospective cohort of people with multiple sclerosis

Dean M. Wingerchuk Smoking: effects on multiple sclerosis susceptibility and disease progression

Support Groups Annual Survey

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:44:00 +1100

To ensure that the MS Support Group is meeting your needs, we would like your ideas on how well you think the group is functioning and how we can improve in the future.

Please take a few minutes to download the form and answer the questions.

Supprt Groups Annual Survey - PDF

Supprt Groups Annual Survey - Word

If you would like to discuss any aspect of this survey, or receive a hard copy, please call a member of the Client Services Team on 1800 676 721.

Thank you!

Independent Living Centre Tasmania (ILC Tas)

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 09:30:00 +1100

Based in Launceston, Independent Living Centre (Tas) Inc. is a state-wide charitable non-profit community organisation that provides advice and information about assistive technology. Assistive technology is anything that can help you to do a task. ILC Tas has health professionals who can help you decide what you need, and offer information and advice tailored to your situation.

ILC Tas makes regular visits to Burnie and Devonport, and also comes to Hobart several times a year. To find out when they are coming to your area, they can be contacted on 1300 885 886.

Wellness Days 2012

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 09:44:00 +1100

An informal day of wellness, learning and laughter

Would you like to take part in a day that is relaxed, informative and fun?

Want to get some great ideas for living well with MS?

Then come along to one of our 2012 Wellness Days!

Wellness Day – South

Wednesday 29^th February

9.30 – 2.45

Motor Yacht Club of Tasmania

1 Ford Parade, Lindisfarne

Wellness Day – North / North West

Tuesday 6^th March

9.30 – 2.45

Ulverstone Surf Life Saving Club

Beach Road, Ulverstone

What will be included in the day?

Our Wellness Days have been planned to include a range of topics to help you to live well with MS.

In the morning guest presenters will be speaking on a range of strategies to help with memory and concentration, stress management, planning for the future and healthy nutrition.

In the afternoon you’ll have the opportunity to try some new activities in a series of “taster” sessions.

The focus will be on learning useful strategies and new skills in a relaxed and informal atmosphere.

And the cost?

There will be NO CHARGE for participating in the Wellness Day. Morning and afternoon tea and lunch will be provided. You are welcome to bring a support person if you wish. (If you require personal assistance, please bring a carer or friend to assist you.)

How do I register?

Please phone Freecall 1800 676 721 by Wednesday 15^th February to register for one of the Wellness Days.

Review of Wheelchair Accessible Taxi Fares

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 10:23:00 +1100

The Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources (DIER) is undertaking a review of taxi fares that apply to wheelchair-reliant people travelling in wheelchair accessible taxis (WATs).

They would like to hear from WAT users as well as standard taxi users to help develop the policy on taxi fares and subsidies, and welcome your input.

To make a written submission or a few suggestions and comments, either email taxi.policy@dier.tas.gov.au or mail to Passenger Transport Policy Branch, DIER, GPO Box 936, Hobart 7001.

Help campaign for access to appropriate work!

Fri, 25 Nov 2011 11:42:00 +1100

December 3 marks International Day of People with Disability. Sign the World MS Day petition by 3 December to encourage employers and policy makers to remove obstacles preventing people with MS from getting, or staying, in work.

Click on the below link to read more about this campaign and to sign the petition!

http://worldmsday.org/english-world-ms-day-2011-campaign-for-access-to-appropriate-work/

Economic Impact of Multiple Sclerosis 2010 Report

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 16:07:00 +1100

Launched in Canberra on November 2 2011 was the latest Economic Impact of Multiple Sclerosis in 2010 report.

The full report can be viewed on the MSRA Website.

Seeking expressions of interest to volunteer in our Advocates program

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 16:11:00 +1100

The MS Society of Tasmania is seeking expressions of interest to volunteer in our Advocates program.

There are 2 positions available - One in the North and one in the South of the State.

The MS Society of Tasmania supports an Advocates program that is linked to and modelled on the National MS Advocacy program. Our Advocates play an essential role in taking specific issues of concern regarding MS to local, state and federal politicians. Advocates also provide a vehicle in which to participate in, and provide information for State and National submissions.

Our Advocates are highly valued as being the ‘voice’ on issues affecting people with MS, particularly as our Advocates live with MS themselves. If you are interested in becoming an Advocate, or would like some further information, please contact Mary Langdon on 6220 1111.

Please note that there is a formal application process for our Advocates and applications are considered by our National Advocates Program Coordinator.

Community Transport Services Tasmania

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 08:59:00 +1000

Community Transport Services Tasmania (CTST) is a project funded by Home and Community Care (HACC) to provide transport assistance for the frail aged and for younger people with disabilities. The service provides assistance and advice to individuals and organisations in the community to help them to meet their transport needs and to access a range of services and community facilities. CTST aims to assist their clients to live independent, active and dignified lives.

To be eligible to access the services of CTST you must be

Frail elderly, not in residential aged care, and with no access to private transport

Disabled, and find public transport impractical and difficult to access

A Carer for the above.

If you think that you might be eligible to access this service, the first step is to contact your District Coordinator who will assess your eligibility. (See below for a list of the District Coordinators.) Once you have been accepted and you agree to the terms and conditions of transport with CTST, you can start to enjoy the benefits of the service, which will be explained to you by your District Coordinator.

The types of service you can access include advice in regard to

Transport Services in your area and throughout the State
Various volunteer transport services
Community buses and cars
Wheelchair accessible transport (not available in all areas)
The Availability of alternative public and / or private transport services.
All forms of transport assistance and subsidies available to individuals and community organisations.

District Coordinator Contacts

Branch	Contact Name	Phone	Email	Mobile
West Tamar	Kellie Constable	6343 7528	wt@ctst.org.au	0419 211 914
East Tamar		6343 0155	et@ctst.org.au	0429 427 250
East Coast	David Mallett	63722137	ec@ctst.org.au	0428 308 622
Greater Burnie	Stan Dupont	6425 3496	bd@ctst.org.au	0457 965 925
West Coast	Nicole Bugg	6471 4700	admin@westcoast.tas.gov.au
Circular Head	Alison Hall	6452 3688	ch@ctst.org.au	0419 511 812
South East	Chris Batchelor	6260 4146	se@ctst.org.au	0488 105 584
Hobart		6228 0287	hob@ctst.org.au	0448 888 413
South	Claudette Woolley	6264 1068	sth@ctst.org.au	0429 371 857
Derwent Valley	Alf van Limbeek	6261 5138	dv@ctst.org.au	0400 786 819