Elevating the MS Community: Queensland Voices on the Lived Experience Expert Panel (LEEP)

MS Australia’s Lived Experience Expert Panel (LEEP) is a national initiative designed to ensure the voices of people living with MS – and those who care for them – are heard at the highest levels. Launched in October 2023, the Panel brings together 59 individuals from across the country who draw on their lived experience to inform and guide MS Australia’s work in advocacy, research, education, and policy.

The LEEP is more than a group of advisors – it’s a formal mechanism for change. Panel members contribute valuable insights from across sectors such as health, research, sport, government, disability services, and community advocacy. Many members have experience navigating the NDIS, aged care, and treatment pathways, while others are seasoned public speakers, peer support leaders, and storytellers who use social media and other platforms to raise awareness.

By embedding lived experience into MS Australia’s strategy, the LEEP ensures the MS community is genuinely represented in key decisions – from campaign design to service improvements.

Spotlight on Queensland

Queensland is proudly represented by 10 LEEP members, each bringing their own unique story – from newly diagnosed individuals in urban areas to long-term advocates in regional communities. Their participation helps highlight issues specific to Queenslanders, such as access to services in remote areas and the impact of climate on symptom management.

These members are active contributors to national research steering groups, awareness campaigns, and strategic advice. Their presence ensures that Queensland’s voice remains strong in shaping the future of MS support in Australia.

Your Queensland Representatives

A woman with long wavy dark brown hair smiles at the camera. She is wearing a teal shirt with yellow accents and is posed against a plain white background.

Janine Watson

A woman with long, straight gray hair and glasses smiles outdoors. She is wearing a black blouse and earrings, with a blurred, sunlit background of greenery.

Julie Lonsdale- Light

Black and white photo of a woman with short, dark, styled hair, smiling at the camera. She is outdoors with a blurred background and is wearing a sleeveless top and a beaded necklace.

Amanda Grobbelaar

A woman with glasses and pulled-back hair smiles at the camera, wearing a textured orange sleeveless top. The background is blurred greenery and architecture.

Sarah Flaim

A woman with shoulder-length brown hair and glasses smiles at the camera outdoors. She is wearing dangling earrings and a beige top, with green trees and a cloudy sky in the background.

Kate Casey

A man with short, wavy brown hair and blue eyes smiles at the camera. He is wearing a blue and white checkered shirt. Lush green plants and a cloudy sky are visible in the background.

Alex Mckay

A woman with long dark hair and a black top smiles at the camera. There are other people blurred in the background.

Tanya Rountree

A woman with shoulder-length wavy hair smiles at the camera. She is wearing a dark blazer over a light top, and the photo is in black and white.

Kylie Ujdur

A smiling person with light hair, wearing glasses and a black collared shirt, stands in front of a white backdrop with partially visible text that reads "NEURO BUSINESS LAB.

Rachel Kerr

A woman with long dark hair and red lipstick smiles outdoors, wearing a floral top and red earrings, with a blurred green background.

Samantha Billington

Why LEEP Matters

The LEEP bridges the gap between lived experience and policy decisions by drawing on the real-world insights of people impacted by MS. This enables MS Australia to advocate more effectively and ensure its work reflects the priorities of the MS community. The LEEP also ensures that people affected by MS shape MS Australia’s governance, research, policy, education, and awareness activities.

Though applications for LEEP are currently closed, the program will be reviewed periodically to continue evolving with the needs of the MS community.

To learn more about LEEP, visit MS Australia’s website or keep an eye out for upcoming opportunities to get involved.

“Being part of the Lived Experience Expert Panel is deeply personal for me. Living with MS for over a decade, I know how powerful it is to see your story reflected, to know you’re not alone, and to feel like your voice matters. As a Queensland representative, I’m proud to bring our unique challenges and strengths to the national conversation and to help shape a future where every person living with MS feels heard, supported, and seen.”

— Sam Billington, QLD LEEP Member