Ann Langley

Ann Langley is a mentor and an inspiration to many people with disabilities. She is an outspoken advocate and a positive role model for people with MS. Ann is an exceptional ambassador for MS and she has contributed enormously to enhancing the influence and position of people with MS throughout Australia.




Like so many people with MS, Ann’s early symptoms went unrecognised for many years. Ann’s six children were aged between five and fifteen when her husband died tragically of cancer in 1972. Despite her increasing MS symptoms, Ann returned to work full-time as a musician and music teacher after her husband’s death.

Ann was 54 when she was finally diagnosed in 1988. This occurred when MRIs became available in Queensland. Two years after the diagnosis, she was forced to retire from teaching. Music is her passion, but her practical nature accepted that her MS had put an end to her professional music career.

The challenges of those hard times fostered Ann’s fierce independence and her intense focus on ability rather than disability. Ann walks with the aid of a stick, but her primary MS symptoms, like those of many people with MS, are not visible.

Despite often debilitating fatigue, Ann works tirelessly in many voluntary capacities for people with MS and other disability groups.

Many of those achievements are listed below:

• Ann is passionate about the need for awareness and education to raise the profile of MS and is a strong advocate for equal opportunities for all people with disabilities.


• Ann is a board member of MS Australia and former board member of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Queensland. She has been a guest speaker at both state and national conferences for people with MS and is an advocate on behalf of people with disabilities. She has regularly presented papers at both national and international conferences on transport for people with disabilities and other welfare matters.


• Winner of the 2002 John Studdy Award (MS Australia’s most prestigious national award in recognition of outstanding and selfless service to the Society), Ann was also President of People with MS Australia for six years.


• Her contribution as National President contributed enormously to MS Australia’s response to issues that impact on the lives of people with MS.


• Ann chaired People with MS Queensland for five years. Her positive outlook and her practical approach to overcoming the challenges of living with MS has had a lifelong, positive impact on the lives of many people with MS and their carers.


• Her influence extended throughout the nation’s MS community in her role as Editor-in-Chief of MS Life magazine, the former national publication for the national MS society. In her role as Editor-in-Chief, Ann devoted countless hours researching articles and the latest therapies, treatments and information that aids and assists people with MS.


• Ann not only acts in a voluntary capacity with the state and national MS societies, but contributes enormously in many other areas of disability and community life.


• This tireless advocate for people with MS founded a Community Transport organisation to provide accessible transport for younger disabled people and frail older people. Ann still chairs this group which provides a visiting scheme for people who have become isolated within their own communities. Over two thousand people now receive services from this group.


• In 2002, Ann was elected to the Board of the Brisbane Housing Company, a new and innovative approach to the provision of affordable housing for low income earners and people with disabilities.


• Ann is also on the management committee of Queensland Shelter and is Vice President of Queensland Public Tenants Association, in both positions, advocating with Government for housing assistance for people with disabilities. In 2006, she completed a two year distance education course in Housing Management and Policy at Swinburne University with a scholarship awarded by the Department of Housing.


• President of her Local Ambulance Committee, she is also a member of the Regional Disability Council, reporting to the State Government regarding access issues.


• In recognition of her exceptional contribution to her local community, Ann was named the Logan Citizen of the Year in 1997, and was also awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship from her local Rotary Club.


• Ann’s contributions have been recognised by both the state and federal governments of Australia. In 1998, she won an Individual Excellence Award as part of State Disability Access Week. In 2000, she was honoured by the Queensland Government with a Shine On Award in recognition of outstanding community service by a person with a disability.


• In 2003, Ann earned the distinction of being awarded a Centenary Medal which recognised Australians who have made an outstanding contribution to Australia in the century since Federation. This honour was awarded by the Commonwealth of Australia in recognition of her excellent contribution for distinguished service in assisting individuals with disabilities.


• In 2006, Ann was honoured through the presentation of the Ron Phillips Australian with MS Award, for outstanding contribution to increasing the understanding of MS in the Australian community.

2007 Nominations

The judges of the award would like to express their thanks, admiration and support to all the nominees, all of whom receive an MSIF certificate acknowledging their nomination.

• Chris Van Eynde, Belgium


• Scott Gillis, Canada


• Jaroslav Zika, Czech Republic


• Dr Raz Khatibi, Iran


• Deirdre Eustace, Ireland


• Roberta Amadeo, Italy


• Dr Nora Holtrust, Netherlands


• Beverley Wilson-Jones, New Zealand


• Hithaishi Weerakoon, Sri Lanka


• Fabiana Peréz Montañés, Uruguay


• Kathleen Wilson, USA