Parkinson’s awareness month activities

Parkinson’s disease impacts the heart not just the brain

6th July 2026

Parkinson’s awareness month activities

Parkinson’s awareness month activities

April was Parkinson’s Awareness Month – always a busy time in the Parkinson’s NSW diary.

As a lead-in to the month of fundraising and awareness building activities, the much-anticipated annual Parkinson’s Symposium took place on 31 March. It attracted more than 80 attendees who heard speakers on the latest trends in Parkinson’s research and treatments.

The presentation of the inaugural Brian Sherman Memorial Awards for contributions to the Parkinson’s community occurred on 28 April.

The late Brian Sherman had a distinguished career in business, animal advocacy, and philanthropy in addition to being a Parkinson’s advocate. The Awards were conceived in his honour.

Gillian O’Connor of Goulburn Support Group was awarded the Brian Sherman Memorial Award for Parkinson’s Advocate of the Year. An Honourable Mention in the Advocate of the Year category went to Sydney’s Emma Tinkler.

Graham Saxby of Coffs Harbour was honoured with a Parkinson’s Community Spirit Award. Vivienne Ross from Penrith was recognised with an Honourable Mention in the Parkinson’s Community Spirit category.

Mary Kay Walker, Emil Sherman and Emma Tinkler

Mary Kay Walker, Emil Sherman, Gillian O’Connor

Vincent Caroll, Graham Saxby, Jemma Werrell and Archer

Mary Kay Walker, Emil Sherman and Vivienne Ross

Many of our Support Groups also scheduled activities and fundraising events throughout the month including:

Picnic in the Park, by Kiama Support Group
Awareness Table and Raffle, by Armidale Support Group
Walk around the lake and information table, by Temora Support Group
World Parkinson’s Day Lunch and Meal Raffle, by Port Macquarie Support Group
Static display, information table, and raffle, by Orange Support Group
Community Walk, Pancakes for Parkinson’s, Pizza for Parkinson’s, by Evans Head Support Group
World Parkinson’s Day lunch, by Yass Support Group
Morning tea, sausage sizzle and information table, by Narrabri Support Group

Other community members also participated with a high tea in their retirement village, a staff lunch with donation entry and a PingPongParkinson tournament.

Parkinson’s Community Hero Awards

The Awareness Month was also time for the Parkinson’s Community Hero Awards – a program that recognises the contributions made by community members and organisations to the smooth running of Parkinson’s Support Groups across the state.

This year Community Hero Awards went to:

Jo Lavelle, Parkinson’s Specialist Nurse, nominated by Narrabri Support Group.

Penrith RSL, venue for Nepean Blue Mountains Support Group

East Maitland Bowling Club, venue for Maitland Support Group

Charlie Pope of Balgowlah RSL who handles the logistics for the Manly-Mosman Support Group meetings.

Corrimal RSL, venue for Illawarra North Support Group

Club Banora, venue for Tweed Heads Support Group

The Late Jenny Dowell who was leader of Lismore Support Group.

Member for Port Macquarie, Robert Dwyer for his support of the Port Macquarie Support Group Leader.

Rod McKenzie, President of the Woopi Senior Centre for his support of the Woopi Support Group.

Club Blacktown, venue for Blacktown Support Group

Jane Butler of Evans Head, a retired nurse who assists the Evans Head Support Group

Creative Print Group which designs and prints the St George Sutherland Support Group’s newsletter, name badges and signage.

Orange Support Group nominated several Community Heroes this year:

Sue and Michael Schmich who work hard to fundraise and build awareness
Artist Miriam Dawes who provides her works as prizes for raffles.
Justin Porter, who plays the guitar at Support Group meetings.
Tony Craw, who is a speech therapist who leads monthly Parkinson’s Voice Therapy sessions.