What is ME/CFS Australia?

ME/CFS Australia is an affiliation of autonomous state ME/CFS organisations. It operates at the national level, approaching ME/CFS issues from the national perspective.

ME/CFS operates as a public, non-profit company limited by guarantee.

Latest News: New Management Structure

ME/CFS Australia is committed to improving the access of people with ME/CFS to the healthcare system and to influencing decision makers to make the system more responsive. ME/CFS Australia needs to expand its resource-base to deliver these outcomes.

ME/CFS Australia (Victoria) has offered to take over the management of ME/CFS Australia and to drive the national agenda forward. Specifically it has agreed to commission its CEO to work on National issues. As the most viable ME/CFS association in the country, with paid staff, significant revenues and cash reserves, ME/CFS Australia (Victoria) is eligible to receive Government funding. It has offered to resource the management and administration of ME/CFS Australia and to be more involved in its planning.

ME/CFS Australia have accepted this offer and the board of ME/CFS Australia have appointed ME/CFS Australia (Victoria) CEO, Penny Abrahams, to be its CEO. Three new members have been appointed to the Board. This moves the National Association Board towards stronger representation from all States, Territories and AHMF. Mr Simon Molesworth AM QC, President of ME/CFS Australia (Victoria), will assume the role of chair of ME/CFS Australia, overseeing a transitional period. Mr Paul Wood has been appointed the Treasurer. The previous Directors remain.

ME/CFS Australia remains the peak body representing all Australians affected by ME/CFS. Every State/Territory Association has a Director's seat on the board open to them to participate in the decision-making of the National body. We welcome and encourage all State Societies to join with us in moving the National Agenda forward.

With this kind offer from ME/CFS Australia (Victoria), and by pooling resources, we look forward to expanding the visibility and role of ME/CFS Australia. We hope this will energise the movement across the country and look forward to a day when there is a vibrant Association in every State and Territory to support people affected by ME/CFS.

ME/CFS Australia Directors

Simon Molesworth AM QC - Chair
Dean Cording - Secretary
Penny Abrahams - CEO
Paul Leverenz
Michelle Walsh
Ferdinand Guba
Peter Cahalan
Peter Mitchell
Jim Chambers

The role of ME/CFS Australia spans the following:

• Communicating with medical and health professionals, federal politicians, service organisations and the media to improve awareness and knowledge of ME/CFS;
• Providing a consumer perspective at the national level on issues affecting people with ME/CFS;
• Formulating common policy on ME/CFS issues across ME/CFS Australia's affiliates;
• Responding to enquiries about ME/CFS from national/international organisations and federal government agencies;
• Supporting research into ME/CFS through the Alison Hunter Memorial Foundation;
• Summarising and distributing to the broad community information about ME/CFS and its treatment/management;
• Co-ordinating national ME/CFS awareness projects; and
• Supporting affiliated state ME/CFS societies in their delivery of services to people affected by ME/CFS.

ME/CFS Australia Ltd. ABN 23 088 896 299; ACN 088 896 299. Email: mecfs@mecfs.org.au