Professor Bradley Turner is Head of the Motor Neuron Disease Group and Research Lead of the Brain Health and Repair Mission at The Florey Institute. His group has a broad research interest in neurodegenerative diseases affecting the voluntary motor system in the brain and spinal cord. His team focuses on MND.

This is a very brief summary but if I spoke of all the research and publications we would be here all day.

Brad has a huge brain and a huge heart.

In 2022, Peter’s life took an unexpected turn when he was diagnosed with MND. While initially confronting, this diagnosis became a catalyst for transformation. Rising above feelings of helplessness, Peter stands as a testament to the strength of the human spirit, embracing a renewed sense of purpose: to turn his personal journey into a platform for advocacy and hope.

As an Ambassador for MND Australia, Peter is passionately committed to raising awareness by amplifying the voices of those affected; as well as fostering greater understanding, compassion and meaningful change around this devastating disease.

Peter is an accomplished professional with extensive experience within the private, public, and non-profit sectors; encompassing leadership, behavioural change, stakeholder engagement and governance. Peter also served with distinction in the Royal Australian Air Force for over 35 years, an experience that shaped his resilience, discipline, and deep sense of purpose.

Dr Rowan Hearn is the Clinical Director Palliative Medicine at Calvary Health care.

Rowan supports the improvement of quality and safety in palliative care, having served as a member of the Governance Committee for the Palliative Care Clinical Network for the Department of Health, and Co-Chair of the Network’s Expert Working Group for Care of the Dying Person.

Dr Hearn is active in research into Neuro Palliative Care and telehealth with further research interest in carer support. Prior to working at CHCB Dr Hearn spent 15 years working in the National Health Service (NHS) in London, during which time he completed a Masters in Medical Ethics and Law and was lead for clinical governance for his service.

Michael Schnieder is the Managing Director of Bunnings Group,

Mike is also the Chair of Fight MND.

Andrew Danson is a Director of The Leasing Collective. He is a board member of the South Melbourne Market. Andrew is also President of Motor Neuron Disease Australia

He has lived experience with the disease, with his father having passed away at the start of 2020.

Fight MND and MNDA have recognised the need, and the desire of the MND community to work more closely together, MIke and Andrew talk about what has been done and the plans for the future

Tim Baker is the best-selling author of The Rip Curl Story, Occy, High Surf, Bustin’ Down The Door, Surf For Your Life, Century of Surf and Surfari. He is a former editor of Tracks, Surfing Life and Slow Living magazines, and a three-time winner of the Surfing Australia Hall of Fame Culture Award.

On July 7, 2015, Tim was diagnosed, out of the blue, with stage 4, metastatic prostate cancer

I read an article in The Australian Newspaper that resonated with me, so strongly. Tim discusses the importance of intimacy when sex is no longer an option.

https://www.bytimbaker.com/

Andrew Denton is an Australian Gold Logie nominated television presenter and former radio host amongst the many, many, things that Andrew has done. He was the host of the ABC's brilliant interview program and my favorite show ever, Enough Rope. Andrew founded Go Gentle Australia in 2016.

Go Gentle is a charity which promotes end of life choices. including the option of voluntary assisted dying. Go Gentle is instrumental in passing voluntary assisted dying laws in all six states.

Jane Morris is the president of Dying with Dignity Victoria. She started her career as a nurse and then as a mature age student, completed a master's of bioethics and studied the topic of VAD with avid interest.

Jane is a member of our community. Her mother died of MND 10 years ago. Jane's mother's death was a catalyst that spurred her into action to take on the role of a staunch, vocal and active advocate for Victorian VAD legislation.

I understand that today may be very difficult to listen to, but I think it's really important that we are as educated as possible and are aware of the choices that we have for our own life.

Emma Vulin is a Member of the Victorian Parliament.

She is the Member for Pakenham.

Emma was diagnosed with MND in April of 2024.

Emma is so open and honest about her diagnosis with MND and the changes that are happening to her and her family.

Emma is smart, funny, loving and loyal.

Enjoy her Podcast.

https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/members/emma-vulin/

Welcome to the 2025 "Let's Talk MND" Podcast.

Mark Puls was diagnosed with MND in 2022.

Like many people living with MND, he is doing for others. He is raising funds for Prof Domonic Rowe at Macquarie University. Last year, they raised $13k. They are planning another event this October.

This year, members of his family and some friends will climb Mt Fuji in Japan to raise awareness of MND.

In this podcast we talk to Mark and his wife Jill, some of the family and Mark's best mate David.