Hello to all our supporters and readers of the Emerge Australia newsletter!
It’s hard to believe we’re already in mid-October — Christmas is just around the corner, and our team is in full flight. I can’t recall a busier time!
With just 8.4 full-time equivalent staff, our small but mighty team has been working across every corner of the organisation — from drafting funding submissions and responding to government consultations, to educating GPs, managing social media, building a new business development platform, creating patient-inspired merchandise, and planning our From Stigma to Science: Educating for Change Action Forum on 30 October. Add to that our daily advocacy for health policy reform and one-on-one patient support through Telehealth, and it’s safe to say — we’re running at full battery! In this newsletter, we’ll unpack some of these initiatives and share what’s next.
Driving Systemic Change
Through our role on national advisory bodies, Emerge Australia continues to ensure the voices of people with ME/CFS are heard where it matters most.
As part of the Neurodegenerative Palliative Care and Rare Diseases Advisory Group (NAPRAG) under the NDIA, we’re helping to address barriers around disability classification, impairment mapping, and access to cost-effective supports. This CEO-level committee is pivotal in improving NDIS visibility and outcomes for our community.
Submission Season in Full Swing
Our Advocacy, Policy and Development team is deep in submission season — developing proposals and funding bids to both government and philanthropic partners. It’s a demanding time, but critical to securing the resources that power our mission.
Betty the Battery & the Emerge Australia Store
We’re thrilled to soon launch our Emerge Australia Merchandise Store, featuring Betty the Battery — a symbol of strength, resilience and the energy challenges faced by people with ME/CFS. Designed by talented members of our own community, this collection will launch just in time for Christmas. Stay tuned for the big reveal!
Collaboration & Research
At the recent Long COVID Conference at La Trobe University, hosted by Professor Stephanie Gras, we were delighted to connect with research colleagues involved in our AusME Biobank and Registry. Dr Michelle Tavoletti and I now look forward to attending the NCNED meeting in November, where we hope to deepen collaboration with Griffith University and other leaders in the field.
Looking Ahead
As we sprint toward the end of the year, our focus remains clear: delivering impact across our four pillars — clinical education, advocacy, biomedical research and patient support.
Thank you for your continued trust, encouragement, and energy.
Stay tuned for the launch of our merchandise store — and meet Betty the Battery very soon!
