Parkinson’s Tasmania

12/09/2026

🌱 Be part of this important conversation! Amazing work through University of Tasmania. Very keen to learn how this can translate to our Parkinson’s community across Tassie.

🏡🌳 How can the spaces we create help people living with dementia feel more confident, connected and supported?

Join Dr Joanna Sun and Dr Pauline Marsh for Dementia Inclusive Design and Environment, an insightful webinar exploring how thoughtful design can make a meaningful difference to the lives of people living with dementia.

Discover how homes, care settings and community spaces can be designed to promote independence, reduce confusion, support wellbeing and enhance quality of life.

📅 Friday 25 September 2026
⏰ 12.00pm AEST
💻 Free Online Webinar

Whether you're an aged care professional, health practitioner, designer, carer or simply interested in creating more dementia-friendly environments, this webinar will provide practical ideas and valuable insights.

✅ Register now and learn how good design can help people not just live with dementia, but live well.
🔗https://utas.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_9HDtBCpaSBKIXsaK_ZcVig

12/09/2026

Who doesn’t love a ‘flat lay’ post conference.

This is how we are building our ecosystem right here in Tassie through connection, collaboration and community.

10/09/2026

https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2026-09-09/senate-to-scrutinise-apvma-paraquat-decision/107132358

Independent Senator David Pocock has used support from the Greens and the Coalition to launch an inquiry into the regulator's decision to allow the continued use of the controversial weedkiller.

09/09/2026

Another great piece of research from Bas Bloem at the team at Radbound UMC in the Netherlands.

Perfect timing as we following Phil and Joyce on their epic tandem bike ride promoting our Shifting gears for women with Parkinson’s campaign 🚴‍♀️💓🌸🎀🦩👛

08/09/2026

Looking forward to being part of these important learnings and discussions.

Our Chair Claire Myers is presenting ‘Let’s Talk Anticipatory Grief’ a topic close to her heart.

We’re delighted to welcome Jean Kittson AM to our 2026 End-of-Life Ecosystem Conference: The Power of Connection! Jean will join us as a guest speaker at the conference and will also bring her warmth, wit and wonderful energy to the Tasmanian Palliative Care Awards as our Master of Ceremonies.

Jean’s passion, joy and genuine ability to connect with people create a unique energy wherever she goes. We are thrilled to have her assistance to bring these important conversations to life, and to celebrate Tasmania’s palliative care champions.

Join us at Wrest Point on 9–10 September 2026 for two inspiring days of learning, connection and celebration.

🔗 Register now: https://taspallcareconference.com.au/registration/

08/09/2026

🚴 Shifting Gears: Tewantin to Caloundra

After a chance to rest, do some washing and spend the night with friends in Tewantin, it was time for Joyce and Phil to pack up the tandem and get moving again.

Next stop: Caloundra.

The route brought them alongside the beautiful Noosa River, making for a pretty spectacular start to this part of the journey.

But somewhere along the way, Google Maps had other ideas!

Joyce and Phil found themselves hopelessly lost for a while, with their directions seemingly sending them everywhere except where they needed to go. So, they went back to a much more reliable navigation system, asking the locals. 😄

After directions from several kind people along the way, they eventually found the right route and were back on track.

Near Maroochydore, there was finally a chance to stop on a bridge, take a photo together and appreciate just how far they’d already come.

These little moments are becoming a big part of Joyce and Phil’s journey: wrong turns, unexpected conversations, challenging roads and the kindness of people they meet along the way.

And through it all, they’re continuing south towards Canberra, helping raise awareness for women living with Parkinson’s with every kilometre.

Follow their journey at https://www.parkinsonstasmania.org.au/shiftinggears

07/09/2026

🎵Singing creates connection, lifts the spirit, strengthens voice and breath, and reminds us we’re more than Parkinson’s.

If singing is your thing and you live on the sunny eastern shore head along and join in the chorus!

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1485437410295004&set=a.155481103290648&type=3

Want to sing with these blokes?
They'd love you to join them.

Senior Blokes Singing is a free community program held every Friday for the next six weeks (beginning this Friday).

It's a bunch of blokes getting together to have a cuppa, a sing, and a laugh.

🎶 Rosny State Library
🎶 10am - 12 pm
🎶 4 September until 9 October

It's also a great example of how our community grants are helping people stay connected. Grants open until 16 September.

To register for Senior Blokes Singing 👉 https://bit.ly/45YKSug

07/09/2026

🚴 Shifting Gears: The Road to Tewantin

The road from Gympie to Tewantin was always going to be a challenging one, with plenty of hills waiting for Joyce and Phil.

What they probably weren’t expecting was a mountain bike adventure along the way!

Following their map, they found themselves on a track called Alt 4. It didn’t take long to realise this was definitely not the ideal route for a tandem loaded up for a long-distance ride.

The path became muddy, puddles became stretches of water, and at one point Joyce was out in front checking whether they could even get through. There was plenty of walking the bike, navigating around mud and wondering exactly where the map had sent them! 😅

Eventually, they found their way back onto the road and could continue towards Tewantin.

After such a long day, arriving at their friends’ house was a very welcome sight. The tandem could finally be parked, the washing could go on, and Joyce and Phil could enjoy a night with friends before thinking about the next stretch.

With rain forecast for the following two days, there may still be a few more adventures waiting for them 🌧️

Whatever the road throws their way, they’re continuing towards Canberra and raising awareness for women living with Parkinson’s as they go.

Follow their journey at https://www.parkinsonstasmania.org.au/shiftinggears

04/09/2026

Another brilliant day of GP2 blood collections at The Shed in Launceston with University of Tasmania and Shake It Up Australia Foundation for Parkinson's Research

Two fabulous humans in the photo below that fly the flag for our Parkinson’s community everyday Michelle (Parkinson’s Tas Board member) and Dr Matt Lee Archer.

04/09/2026

🚴 Shifting Gears: Making it to Maryborough

By the time Joyce and Phil reached Maryborough, the kilometres had well and truly caught up with them.

They were too tired to head into town, but there was one local sight they wanted to share. Maryborough’s famous Mary Poppins pedestrian lights, celebrating P.L. Travers, the author behind Mary Poppins.

So, rather than getting back on their feet and sacrificing a much-earned rest, they asked the neighbours in the next motel unit if they could take a couple of photos for them ☂️

And, as seems to keep happening on this journey, a simple conversation led to another unexpected connection.

Their neighbour was singer Billie-Jo Porter, who was on her way to the Muster in Gympie 🤯

They got chatting about the ride, and Billie-Jo was interested to hear why Joyce and Phil were travelling all this way and raising awareness for women living with Parkinson’s, and was more than happy to help💙

Their motel happened to be directly opposite Maryborough Hospital, but despite being so close, they didn’t hear a single ambulance all night.

Joyce and Phil’s conclusion? Maryborough must be a very safe place to live! 😄

Another town, another new person met and another opportunity to get people talking about Parkinson’s.

Learn more at https://www.parkinsonstasmania.org.au/shiftinggears