MS Queensland is a leading provider of holistic services for people living with a neurological condition. Building on over 65 years as the peak body for multiple sclerosis (MS) in Queensland, we are committed to ensuring people with neuro conditions can live better lives and discover new possibilities.
We do this by building community and human connection, driving neuro wellness, raising awareness, and delivering integrated services to support health, wellbeing and education including:
Our values of Respect, Community, Commitment and Collaboration were chosen by our staff and ring true in all we do.
We believe these values will best enable us to deliver upon the vision, purpose and mission of MS Queensland:
RESPECT:Â With integrity always
COMMUNITY: Connecting with shared purpose
COMMITMENT: Giving it your all
COLLABORATION:Â Together unleashing potential
A comprehensive list of behaviours has been created by our staff to help guide staff and volunteers to live-out the new values of the organisation.
MS Queensland is delighted to announce, Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM, Governor of Queensland has chosen to continue to be our Patron.
Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM – Governor of Queensland
We’re honoured to work with Her Excellency in supporting the almost 4,000 Queenslanders living with MS during her term in office. It’s a privilege to continue our strong association with the Queensland Governor into the future.
David Curd – Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
David Curd is an experienced CEO and board member with a wealth of experience in the health and human services sector, specifically disability, employment, training and mental health services.
He has worked successfully across not-for-profit organisations for more than 20 years, with an unwavering commitment to making a positive difference within communities and supporting people to achieve optimum quality of life and independence.
Sophie Graham – Executive General Manager, Customer Impact
Sophie is a dynamic, passionate, and innovative leader with extensive experience in business strategy, customer experience, brand, marketing, digital, and communications. Working across a wide range of highly competitive service industries, Sophie has found her passion in human services with a particular interest in disability services.
Sophie’s knowledge and experience will keep the needs of those living with MS and other neurological conditions central to decision making, ensuring our customers and supporters are at the heart and DNA of our organisation.
Paul Brunyee – Executive General Manager, Services & Operations
Paul has over 20 years’ experience in service delivery where he’s championed operational excellence through continuous improvement, as well as customer and employee engagement. Paul’s worked in multiple business streams across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia Pacific regions.
Paul is committed to ensuring our customers and their families are provided quality services, allowing them to live full and independent lives.
Victoria Andrews CFRE – Executive General Manager, Supporter Impact
Victoria has worked in the profit for purpose section for over 11 years and has extensive experience developing sustainable marketing and fundraising strategies that build trust, loyalty, and revenue. Her team drives best at thank you culture at MS Queensland and Victoria is committed to reporting back on impact and delivering exceptional experiences for supporters to ensure no one faces MS alone.
Victoria is the Chair of the Fundraising Institute of Australia Queensland Committee and holds Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) Practice Credentials.
Heather Poynter – Executive General Manager, People & Culture
Heather has over 20+ years’ experience in strategic and operational human resources, both in Australia and globally. For the last 10 years, Heather has driven people-focused initiatives in not-for-profit, disability, and health industries.
She is passionate about being a change leader and strategic business partner, supporting people through learning and development, and growth opportunities.
Susanne Behrendt – Executive General Manager, Corporate Services & Company Secretary
Susanne is an experienced executive leader, Chartered Accountant and Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia (GIA). With over 10 years in the NFP sector and 7 years with accounting firm KPMG across Australia and Europe, she brings a high degree of excellence and experience both in business operations and governance to MS Queensland.
Susanne has a passion for robust governance, continuous improvement processes and a track record of implementing best practice systems. These are the foundations on which she builds strong relationships between customer-facing and back office functions to closely align her teams’ culture with the organisation’s mission to help people living with MS to get the best out of life.
Our Board establishes the organisation’s strategic direction, monitors progress towards the achievement of our strategic objectives and performs a very important governance function for the organisation.
Shaun Treacy – Chair
Chair of the Board since November 2022
Chair of the Governance, Audit, Risk & Investments Committee since November 2022
Board Member since March 2021
Shaun has over 30 years’ experience in corporate finance and investment banking with roles in the United States, United Kingdom, Hong Kong and Australia. He has previously been a senior investment banker with JPMorgan, Lehman Brothers, Nomura and UBS. Shaun is currently on the board of a number of public and private companies in Australia and the United Kingdom and is a Senior Advisor to a broad range of companies in the corporate advisory, private equity and corporate sectors. Shaun has a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Queensland, is an Associate of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia, a Fellow of the Financial Services Institute of Australasia and a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Alison Ewens – Director
Board Member since October 2022
Member of the Customers, Services, People & Research Committee since October 2022
Alison is an executive leader with 20 years’ experience in local government, healthcare and social care industries across Australia, United Kingdom and United Arab Emirates. She is currently the Executive General Manager at Gold Coast Hospital and Health Services. Alison holds a Master of Science, Bachelor of Social work and Postgraduate Diplomas in Disaster management and Healthcare management.
Dr. Fiona Hawthorne – Director
Board Member since March 2024
Member of the Fundraising & Supporter Committee since March 2024
Chair of the Customers, Services, People & Research Committee since May                    2024
Fiona started her career as a Registered Nurse, working through various clinical specialties before moving into nursing and medical education. Since then, she has worked in Healthcare Ethics, Patient Safety, and Clinical Governance. She was the founding General Manager for Queensland’s only Children’s Hospice: Hummingbird House. Currently, she is the Head of College/ CEO for The University of Queensland Union College. Awarded a Churchill Fellowship in 2007, Fiona is an Australian Institute of Company Directors graduate and an Adjunct Professor with the Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences at the University of Queensland. Fiona holds a Bachelor of Nursing, a Graduate Diploma of Adult and Vocational Education, a Master of Science – Genetic Counselling, and a PhD.
Liam Murphy – Director
Board Member since April 2023
Member of the Governance, Audit, Risk & Investments Committee since April 2023
Liam is the Managing Partner and Audit Partner of PKF Brisbane with over 35 years financial services experiences. His industry focus includes Health, Not-For-Profit, Financial Services and Property. Liam holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Queensland, is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accounts Australia & New Zealand (CAANZ), a Member of AICD, a registered Company Auditor and an Approved SMSF Auditor.
Sarah Stoddart – Director
Board Member since October 2024
Member of the Governance, Audit, Risk & Investments Committee since October 2024
Sarah is a distinguished legal professional and the Director of Vitality Law Australia, a preeminent law firm based in Queensland and focussed on the healthcare industry. In 2021, she was named as the Lawyers Weekly Women in Law Sole Practitioner of the Year. Sarah’s dedication extends beyond her legal practice. She is deeply committed to nurturing the next generation of legal professionals and actively engages in community service initiatives. Her ability to balance rigorous professional demands with meaningful community involvement positions her as an influential leader within the legal fraternity. Sarah is a solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland and the High Court of Australia, she has a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) from the Queensland University of Technology and is a member of the Queensland Law Society.
Michael Stott – Director
Board Member since October 2021
Member of the Customers, Services, People & Research Committee since November 2022
Member of the Fundraising & Supporter Committee since November 2023
Michael brings personal and critical insights into the challenges and support needs of people living with MS and other neurological conditions, leveraging his lived experience in his Board role. With over 25 years of extensive expertise in shaping global cityscapes and commercial real estate, Michael is the Australian Head of Cities and Places and the Brisbane Studio Lead for DBI, an internationally acclaimed architecture, urban design, placemaking, landscape architecture, and interior design practice. Michael is a highly sought-after international speaker and holds influential advocacy and advisory positions for a number of government and private sector organisations. He has extensive Board-level experience in the property, not-for-profit, and community housing sectors. He possesses a Diploma in Studio Art, a Bachelor’s Degree in Sustainable Community Development, a Master’s Degree in Strategic Planning and Urban Design, and Graduate Certificates in Design Thinking and Strategic Management.
MS Queensland Consolidated Financial Report | 2023-24
MS Queensland Consolidated Financial Report | 2022-23
MS Queensland General Purpose Financial Report | 2021-22
MS Queensland Special Purpose Financial Report | 2020-21
MS Queensland Development and Research Foundation Financial Report | 2020-21
View our Annual Review | 2019-2020
MS Queensland Special Purpose Financial Report | 2019-2020
MS Queensland Development and Research Foundation Financial Report | 2019-2020
View our Annual Review | 2018-2019
MS Queensland Special Purpose Financial Report | 2018-2019
MS Foundation Special Purpose Financial Report | 2018-2019
View our Annual Review | 2017-2018
To request a hard copy of any of our annual reports or earlier annual reports, please contact us.
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View MS Life 2020 Summer Edition
In this MS Life Summer 2020 Edition, we focus on the concept of connection as we explore the relationship with ourselves and others. We discover laughter yoga with HeatherJoy, get a lesson in gardening with Darryl, cook healthy summer recipes with Gemma and see the beauty in art with Amanda. We’ll also hear from our incredible Ambassadors on their self-care tips and launch our Best Life Project with a life-changing story of a family reconnected by Specialist Disability Accommodation.
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View MS Life 2019/20 Summer Autumn Edition
In this issue of MS Life we bring you Rachel Kerr’s story and experience of parenting and MS, and her partner Shannon shares his experience from a partner’s perspective too. We’ve also got stories about what the NDIS has done to help Ursula Lockwood and we tell you the story of Hello Yello, an inclusive clothing company.
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View MS Life Volume II 2019
MS Queensland’s MS Life magazine. Volume II reflects on MS Queensland’s 60th Birthday year and moves the magazine into a new era of health and lifestyle content from the community for the community.
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View MS Life Volume I 2018
This edition of our MS Life magazine celebrates our 60th birthday and is dedicated to all of our MS community. Thank you for being a part of MS Queensland’s 60 year history. It’s you, our community, that are at the heart of what we do.
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View MS Life Spring 2017
On the cover of this edition is Anne-Marie who doesn’t let her MS stop her. Anne-Marie has lived with MS for 26 years but is incredibly positive and ecourages other people with MS to “try not to let it rule your life.” Other news includes the opening of our Albany Creek Apartments, the launch of our Project Dignity 120 initiative, and introducing our NeuroServices Suite.
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MS Life Autumn 2017
On the cover of this edition is Pam who lives positively with MS. Pam was
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