Diabetes campaigner adds prestigious diabetes award to accolades
Prolific diabetes campaigner Peg Kearin received a Diabetes Australia – Vic’s award for her outstanding achievements in relation to diabetes at the 2013 Diabetes Australia – Vic Annual General Meeting last night.
Peg’s dedication to the cause of diabetes is personal as she has been living with the condition for the past fifty years.
Diabetes Australia – Vic CEO Craig Bennett said: “Peg Kearin has been a tireless advocate for people with diabetes in both Bendigo and across Victoria for many years. I’ve seen her passion and commitment first-hand and am delighted that she has accepted Diabetes Australia – Vic’s Outstanding Award to Diabetes as she is very deserving of such recognition.”
Over the last five decades, Peg has willingly devoted many thousands of hours to support people with diabetes in her local community of Bendigo, and more widely in Victoria as a volunteer. In 1978, Peg attended the 10th International Diabetes Congress in Vienna and in 1992 she completed her training as a Diabetes Educator at Deakin University. She diligently keeps up-to-date with current trends and research in diabetes, despite having been retired for years.
After Peg’s diagnosis she quickly realized that there was no support or education for people with diabetes in regional Victoria. To meet this need, she met with Gwen Scott, the first diabetes educator in Australia and later formed the Bendigo Diabetes Auxiliary in 1968. The group is now known as the Bendigo Diabetes Support Group, supported by Diabetes Australia – Vic, and is the longest-running support groups in the state.
This month Peg received a Kellion Victory Medal honouring her for living with diabetes for 50 years.
Peg has also has been a member of the Diabetes Australia – Vic board for 15 years, advocating strongly for diabetes support groups and the needs of people with diabetes in rural and regional Victoria. She was also nominated for a 2013 Victorian Senior of the Year Award.
Diabetes Australia – Vic is the leading charity and peak consumer body working to reduce the impact of diabetes. On 2–6 December, the 22nd World Diabetes Congress will take place in Melbourne, with 400 internationally-renowned speakers and exhibitors, showcasing their diabetes expertise, research and discoveries in all fields of diabetes. People interested can register at
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Lyn Curtis 0411 019
Ali Hickerson 0455 043