Thursday, 9 September 2021

Ms NEVILLE (Bellarine—Minister for Water, Minister for Police)

Today I wanted to acknowledge those Crohn’s disease sufferers who over the last six months have reached out to me to share their stories and to wish me all the best.

This is such a misunderstood and unseen disease.

It never goes away; the best is to reach remission and to manage flare-ups when they occur.

On a daily basis it has an impact on the quality of sufferers’ lives. I thank them for their openness—sharing those stories helps to raise awareness.

I also want to thank my medical team: my gastroenterologist Dr Lauren Beswick and my surgeon Mr Darrin Goodall-Wilson, who did so much and continued to respond to my urgent issues, but also my recovery. They went beyond all expectations.

Similarly, the staff at St John of God—the team at ICU, nurses, caterers, cleaners, medical imaging. They were extraordinary in the quality of care both at a medical and personal level.

And thank you to my longstanding and now retired GP, Hugh Seward.

Finally, to all my friends and colleagues who sent well wishes, those who did my washing, cooked for me and kept my spirits up, especially Colette, Merri, Ian, Jo and Vic and of course my son Sam.

Thank you to my local community for their overwhelming support and well wishes. It is great to be back working with and for you.

Thank you to my acting ministers who took on my role so ably, the member for Richmond and the member for Essendon, and to Gayle Tierney for her work as duty Bellarine MP.

Now is the time to keep raising awareness of this debilitating chronic illness and with the work of the Crohn’s and Colitis Association I hope I can play a role in that.