Reception for Volunteers and Supporters of The Arthritis Movement
Wednesday, 5 March 2025
Government House
Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC
Bujari gamarruwa, Diyn Babana Gamarada Gadigal Ngura
In greeting you in the language of this land’s Traditional Owners, the Gadigal of the Eora Nation, I welcome you to Government House as I pay my respects to Gadigal Elders, past, present and emerging.
It is wonderful to have you here tonight and I must congratulate you at the outset on your recent merger with Arthritis Queensland. I also congratulate you on your new name: The Arthritis Movement. Over the years, I have seen many name changes of organisations but yours, together with your beautifully fluid new logo, captures as well as, if not better than most, what your organisation is about.
Arthritis, in various ways, has been with us since the age of the dinosaurs. Fossil remains of a Tyrannosaurus Rex show evidence of gout.[1]
There are records going back to 4500 BC of rheumatoid arthritis in ancient Egypt and in American Indian Tribes.
That condition particularly ‘excited’ medical researchers in the 1800’s although an examination of the great works of art of the 16th century, including the works of Rubens, indicate from the depiction of the distorted hands of the sitters, it had obviously been seriously affecting people for centuries. Renoir, who painted in the 19th and early 20th century had such severe arthritis that he was forced to tie his brushes to his hands.[2]
All of which is fascinating, and you may identify with some of it, but none of that helps with the pain and debilitating aspects of the condition. Which is why, when I was informed of the range of exercise programs that The Arthritis Movement has developed to assist arthritis sufferers, I was particularly taken by Nick Cady’s description: ‘Motion is Lotion’.
Medically, the physiological and psychological benefits of movement for arthritis sufferers are well documented: from lubrication of the cartilage of the joints, to maintaining bone density and muscle strength[3] to increased energy and overall well being.[4]
The importance of the work of The Arthritis Movement cannot be overstated: Currently, one in 7 people in NSW report living with one of the over 100 different types[5] of arthritis.[6] The incidence of arthritis continues to increase and is expected to grow from 3.6 million to 5.4 million people living with the condition by 2030. It, together with other musculo-skeletal conditions, is the highest cost disease group, leading to loss of work hours and early retirement.[7]
The statistics are quite startling: Arthritis and other linked conditions account for 13% of the total disease burden in Australia; they cost the Australian health system upwards of $14 billion each year; the welfare costs and lost tax revenue was $1.1 billion dollars in 2015 and is expected to rise to $1.5 billion by 2030.
From its establishment in 1967 and after six decades of research, advocacy and programs, placing Arthritis NSW as the premier support organisation for arthritis in our state, one could have asked why do anything differently, but that is neither the ethos nor the culture of this organisation. The Board’s decision in 2022 to uplift its impact has been transformational with webinars, digital exercise programs, home-delivered Pain Packs, and the AI-powered app, ‘Clara’, set to launch later this month.
In the last 12 months, participants in a host of classes including Warm Water Exercise, Arthritis Moves, Online Strength and Balance, Tai Chi and Dance for Arthritis have reported increased flexibility, mobility, strength and balance, as well as reduced pain.
In the words of one participant: “The online classes and webinars completely changed my existence from a downward trajectory, physically and emotionally, to an upward positive one on both counts. I am actually now living my life with pleasure and joy rather than just existing, assuming my physical ability would just worsen year by year”.
To everyone here:
- The Board, staff and wonderful volunteers who provide exemplary care, advocacy, support and education;
- Your many generous supporters, bequestors, and donors who enable this support and education to continue; and
- To educators, instructors and program participants …
Thank you for all that you do.
Dennis and I acknowledge your dedication to drive progress and improve lives through innovative care, dynamic support, and relentless advocacy for those impacted by arthritis.
[1] https://www.news-medical.net/health/Arthritis-History.aspx:
[2] Arthritis Ireland https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kc7KmMmrWHE
[3] https://www.hopkinsarthritis.org/patient-corner/disease-management/role-of-exercise-in-arthritis-management/#
[4] ibid
[5] https://www.arthritis.org/health-wellness/healthy-living/managing-pain/understanding-pain/sources-of-arthritis-pain
[6] https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/health-conditions-and-risks/national-health-survey-state-and-territory-findings/latest-release#
[7] Arthritis Australia 2024 Budget Submission: