Andrew Wallace (Fisher, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It is timely that I rise on Blue Cornflower Day in the global week for motor neurone disease to speak to the House about a shining star in the Fisher electorate who was recently diagnosed with this terrible disease.

Joyce Newton and her husband Greg have been married for 44 years. They live in the beautiful hinterland town of Maleny. Retiring from her career as a schoolteacher, Joyce dedicated herself to many community groups, eventually focusing on the Maleny swimming pool committee and the local girl guides. Joyce is also a fierce supporter of the LNP and, having been a member for 36 years, she was recently awarded a life membership.

But earlier this year Joyce Newton was diagnosed with motor neurone disease. As many in this place would know, there is no cure for motor neurone disease. Motor neurone disease is the name given to a group of diseases in which the nerve cells degenerate and die. It is these neurones that control our muscles enabling us to move, speak, breathe and swallow. It causes weaknesses in the muscles which eventually results in paralysis. At best, once diagnosed, sufferers will usually have two to three years to live.

If her history of fighting for local politics is anything to go by, Joyce will not be giving up any time soon without a very big fight. She is participating in a medical trial to provide research into the complexities of this disease in an effort to one day find cure. She is a seasoned campaigner—(Time expired)