Our Patron and Ambassadors

In 2016, Professor John Pearn graciously accepted the position of Patron for Muscular Dystrophy Queensland. Professor Pearn is Senior Paediatrician at the Queensland Children’s Hospital where he has served as a full-time staff clinician since 1968. His major clinical, research and teaching interests in paediatrics and internal medicine have included medical genetics, clinical toxicology, bioethics and accident prevention.

Major General John Pearn also served in a second career in the Australian Defence Force, rising progressively through various senior command and executive positions in the Defence Health Service. In 1998 Major General Pearn was appointed Surgeon General to the Australian Defence Force and served in this role until his retirement in 2000.

Karni Liddell PLY has been MDQ’s ambassador for many years and is a renowned advocate for diversity, inclusion, and accessibility, with a career spanning over two decades. Born with a neuro-muscular wasting disease Karni has risen to become one of the most respected voices in the disability community.

Karni was a Paralympic swimmer and she broke her first World Record at the age of 14 and went on to win Paralympic medals at every Paralympics she competed in. Her sporting achievements, including serving as the captain of the Australian Swim Team at the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games, are a testament to her determination and resilience.

After retiring from competitive swimming, Karni devoted her life to advocating for people with disabilities in Australia, concentrating on employment of people with a disability, the NDIS, Para-sport and Domestic and Family Violence. Her professional background includes serving as Manager of engagement for the Department of Disabilities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Child Safety and Communities. After hosting the rallies to help bring the NDIS into Australia, she then played a key role in the opening of the National Disability Insurance Agency Head Office and was then the NDIS Ambassador for QLD to oversee the rollout and it’s implementation. Karni has also been a member of the Premier’s Domestic and Family Violence Council for 3 different appointments and is a specialist and educator in domestic and family violence, particularly in the context of working with women with disabilities (Lifeline DFV Alert Trainer for “Working with women with disabilities experiencing DFV”).

Karni is an accomplished keynote speaker, podcaster and presenter. Her TED speech, which received a standing ovation, is a highlight of her speaking career. In addition to her advocacy work, Karni is a social worker and disability employment consultant, supporting organisations across the globe build more inclusive workplaces and communities.

Chris Wiles is our Ride Walk Roll ambassador. In 2015, Chris Wiles and his family faced a life-changing moment when their son Harper was diagnosed with Becker muscular dystrophy. Prior to this, they had feared the worst: Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a far more aggressive form of the condition. The uncertainty of Duchenne’s devastating progression had cast a long shadow over their future, as it slowly robs individuals of their mobility and independence.

Becker muscular dystrophy, while still a serious X-linked genetic disorder, is less aggressive than Duchenne. For Chris and his family, the diagnosis of Becker was a bittersweet relief—”the prize in a very unlucky lottery,” as Chris puts it. His son’s resilience in the face of this challenge has driven Chris to raise awareness and support for muscular dystrophy, a condition he had never heard of until it touched his own life.

Chris has been a vital force behind the Ride Walk Roll event. After Harper’s diagnosis, Chris began his journey as a solo rider, determined to raise funds and awareness for Muscular Dystrophy Queensland (MDQ). In his first year, he cycled 100 kilometers from Innisfail to Cairns on a toy shop bike, raising over $10,000 with the help of friends and the local community.

Chris believes in the importance of supporting smaller charities like MDQ, which provide essential services, equipment, and support to local families affected by muscular dystrophy. Unlike larger organizations, MDQ operates at the grassroots level, directly impacting the lives of those in need. As Chris emphasises, “100% of the funds raised through Ride Walk Roll go directly to supporting Queensland families living with muscular dystrophy. It’s crucial that we back MDQ so they can continue to be there for families like ours.”

Chris’s dedication to this cause reflects his unwavering commitment to improving the lives of those living with muscular dystrophy and ensuring that no family faces this journey alone.

Eloise is a rising Australian actor, acclaimed for her role as Shelly Huffman when she is first diagnosed with muscular dystrophy, in Netflix’s Logie award-winning Boy Swallows Universe series based on Trent Dalton’s award-winning novel. Following its release in early 2024, the show immediately ranked #3 on Netflix’s Global Top 10 and #6 on IMDB’s Most Popular Shows.

Starting her stage career at age seven and screen acting training at age ten, Eloise has engaged in a diverse range of TV, film, drama, musical theatre, and music performances, including twice being nominated to sing soprano in the Queensland Conservatorium State Honours Ensemble Program. Actively seeking professional screen roles since 2020, after Boy Swallows Universe, Eloise wrapped her first movie in late 2023 and her second limited series in early 2024.

Due to graduate from Music Industry College in late 2024, her senior studies are dedicated to her passions in the creative and performing arts – singing, script and song writing, painting, photography, film making, TV, drama, and improvisation – plus the practical business and technical skills needed to manage a career in the arts.

Known for her outgoing and empathetic nature, Eloise considers her neurodivergence as an asset for her acting, having spent countless hours studying human emotions and behaviours. Outside acting, Eloise loves to hang with friends, play with her cat, and indulge in her love of comedy… Saturday Night Live is a particular favourite and her ambition is to host the show someday!