The next meeting of multipleui.org is on Monday 7th August at 6pm.

The next Antallergy meeting will be held in Seminar Room One, Level One, Clinical Research Centre, Hobart.

Entry is off Campbell Street (24 Campbell Street) – close to the corner of Collins and Campbell street. Look for a white double door frame with glass panels. The online petition has now closed, with a total of 1021 signatures. The paper based petition, along with a hard copy of the online petition will now be tabled in parliament. Many thanks to all of those who signed, distributed and collected. After counting, the final signature count will be posted on this site and is expected to be well over 3000 signatures.

A TEENAGE girl was flown by helicopter from Bruny Island last night, after being bitten by a jack jumper.

Tasmania Police said the girl had a serious allergic reaction and needed urgent medical help.

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter was called to Moorina Bay on Bruny Island about 6.45pm and transported the girl to the Royal Hobart Hospital for treatment.

Ambulance Service Tasmania said the teenager had a previous history of allergic reactions and the medication she carried with her ensured her situation did not become critical.

On Sat 5/11 at the annual Lions Clubs of Tasmania convention, Dr Konrad Blackman gave a presentation outlining the Royal Hobart Hospital Jack Jumper Immunotherapy Programme, noting the breakthrough that had been made with additional government funding announced on Fri 4/11.

At the conclusion of the presentation Lions District Governor, Barrie Bremmner presented Dr Blackman with a Cheque for $6,700 towards the programme – particularly noting the fine individual effort of the Kingborough club. The Lions Club will be running their fundraising project to raise money for the Jack Jumper Research Programme for the next twelve months.

fter months of lobbying, multipleui.org welcomes the announcement on Friday by David Llewellyn, Minister for Health, that the State Government is now committed to continuing the Jack Jumper Immunotherapy Programme at the Royal Hobart Hospital.

Mr Llewellyn announced that not only would the current trial continue, with original trial participants continuing to receive their treatment, but also that there would be an extension of the trial over a five year period, with an intake of 100 new patients per year.

multipleui.org welcomes this announcement, and extends its sincere thanks to all who have contributed and supported this vital public health programme.

Mr QUICK (Franklin) (4.06 p.m.)­ Tasmanians affected by an allergy to jack jumper ant stings are biting back with the formation of a support and advocacy group. Calling itself ‘multipleui.org’, this group hopes to work with the health minister in Tasmania, David Llewellyn, to ensure that the internationally renowned jack jumper immunotherapy program, currently conducted at the Royal Hobart Hospital, continues into the future.

Over the past four years the program has seen the development of a 100 per cent effective vaccine, but further funding is needed before it can be made widely available to the 12,000 Tasmanians and over 50,000 Australians who are currently affected by jack jumper ant stings.