Tuesday, 17 June 2025

 Emma VULIN (Pakenham) (15:38): It has been humbling to attend so many events to talk about my journey with motor neurone disease and raise awareness of the important work underway to search for a cure to one day beat this beast of a disease. I have attended several local events, including the Hills MND Big Freeze in Emerald, John Henry Primary School’s ice bucket fundraiser, the Pakenham Lions netball and football clubs to watch the amazing sliders and the Pakenham Warriors basketball Big V men’s MND game. I was honoured to speak at the FightMND Big Freeze 11 MCG fundraiser lunch, cheer on the magnificent sliders and then deliver the match football to the umpires with my daughter Sienna – what a day. But the dearest event, closest to my heart, has been Freeze Parliament, with $53,000 raised so far. I am not exaggerating when I say that I love how, when it comes to supporting a great cause, the Parliament comes together as one from all sides of politics. Thank you to all the dunkees. Your bravery to not only live out your dress-up dreams but hit that icy water for FightMND was amazing. I want to thank Mitch Clarke and Carly Douglas for coming up with the idea and working very hard to make Freeze Parliament happen. To everyone who supported, donated to and sponsored this event, a heartfelt thankyou. Special thanks to FightMND’s Matt Tilley and the team, Professor Brad Turner and Dr Thanuja Dharmadasa from the Florey and MND Victoria CEO Kate Johnson.