The Victorian Parliament took a chilly dip for a good cause, as the annual Big Freeze fundraiser for FightMND, a charity dedicated to motor neurone disease (MND) research, took place. This event, organized by Emma Vulin, a Pakenham MP who was diagnosed with MND two years ago, saw government ministers, opposition frontbenchers, and even the opposition leader take the plunge. The theme of the year was 'what you wanted to be when you grew up', with participants coming in costume. The event was a huge success, with the crowd raising up to $30,000 for the charity.
One of the highlights of the event was the participation of Jess Wilson, the opposition leader, who came as her favorite television character, Constable Maggie Doyle from Blue Heelers. Wilson expressed her amazement at how Big Freeze events united the community, bringing people together to support those affected by MND. She mentioned how the cause brings people from all walks of life to put aside their differences and focus on supporting those like Emma Vulin in their fight against the disease.
Another notable participant was Paul Edbrooke, a Labor minister who came as Steve Irwin, paying homage to the late conservationist's passion for the environment. Edbrooke humorously noted the cold temperature after emerging from the ice bath. Nicole Werner, a Liberal MP, was mistaken for paying homage to Michelle Payne, a Melbourne Cup-winning jockey, but revealed she was actually a character from the television series The Saddle Club, an icon of her generation. She participated in memory of a family friend who lost their brother to MND, highlighting the emotional impact of the disease.
The event also featured a surprise performance by David Southwick, the deputy Liberal leader, who showed up in a riotous outfit with a tape deck blasting the Village People's YMCA. Southwick's performance was as sizzling as the temperature of the water he was submerged in, adding a touch of humor to the event. The gathering was attended by Jan Daniher, the wife of the AFL legend Neale Daniher, who passed away recently. Premier Jacinta Allan thanked Daniher for joining the MPs at Spring Street, acknowledging his strength, courage, and honesty in raising awareness about MND.
Emma Vulin expressed her gratitude for the support and awareness raised by the event, stating that it means a lot to her and her family, as well as to others facing or impacted by MND. She emphasized the importance of unity and support in the face of a disease that can be debilitating and incurable. The event served as a powerful reminder of the impact that community support and awareness can have in the fight against MND, and the importance of adapting institutions like parliament to ensure equal participation for people of all abilities and backgrounds.
