Vale Marg McCulloch co-founder Pain Support ACT
Margaret McCulloch, known to many as Marg, was a dynamic, dedicated, generous woman. For many years she had searched in vain to find information and support locally for her persistent (chronic) pain, so in mid-2010 she advertised for expressions of interest for a community support group. This is when I met Marg, and we worked together planning an inaugural meeting in October 2010. Pain Support ACT (PSACT) was the outcome: a monthly group to gather to share information and resources. Marg was elected President, and her supportive and caring husband Dennis, along with a small group of other people with a variety of skills, was on the very active Committee.
For the PSACT meetings, Marg arranged talks by professionals from varying disciplines – some on chronic pain, while other talks were about related medical conditions that can arise from compromised health.
Marg was soon advocating through Arthritis ACT, Chronic Pain Australia (CPA), Australian Pain Management Association (APMA), Health Care Consumer’s Association (HCCA), Australian Clinical Innovation (ACI), and PainAustralia.
Even though at times her chronic pain intensified, Marg remained focussed on her goal, and was soon liaising with the ACT medical and allied health industry, as well as the ACT and Federal governments.
Marg was instrumental in the ACT being involved in National Pain Week, and she participated in symposiums and conferences on chronic pain. Marg and PSACT were listed as “Participants of the Citizen Engagement Event Development of ACT Chronic Disease Strategy 2012”
Successful submissions were made to the Australian Medical Council’s 2012 assessment of the education and training program & professional development program; and to ACT Health. The latter resulted in the inclusion of chronic pain for the first time in ACT Health history in the ACT Government Health Department’s ACT Chronic Conditions Strategy — Improving Care and Support 2013-2018. Pain Support ACT was mentioned in the list of resources as a condition specific group.
Marg stepped down as President at the same time as ACT Self-Help Organisations United Together (SHOUT), to which PSACT was a member, closed down in 2017. PSACT, to guarantee its continuation moved under the umbrella of Arthritis ACT. Marg took on an advisory role as Arthritis ACT Board member, until increasing ill-health a couple of years ago.
This is only a small description of the tireless work Marg undertook over the past 16 years. The continued success of Pain Support ACT as a support, information, and advocacy group is her legacy to the people of Canberra and beyond.
I’m blessed to have known Marg for the past 16 years, from preparations leading up to the first meeting from which Pain Support ACT started. Marg's friendship and hospitality remains dear in my heart.
Vale Margaret McCulloch – you will be missed
For the PSACT meetings, Marg arranged talks by professionals from varying disciplines – some on chronic pain, while other talks were about related medical conditions that can arise from compromised health.
Marg was soon advocating through Arthritis ACT, Chronic Pain Australia (CPA), Australian Pain Management Association (APMA), Health Care Consumer’s Association (HCCA), Australian Clinical Innovation (ACI), and PainAustralia.
Even though at times her chronic pain intensified, Marg remained focussed on her goal, and was soon liaising with the ACT medical and allied health industry, as well as the ACT and Federal governments.
Marg was instrumental in the ACT being involved in National Pain Week, and she participated in symposiums and conferences on chronic pain. Marg and PSACT were listed as “Participants of the Citizen Engagement Event Development of ACT Chronic Disease Strategy 2012”
Successful submissions were made to the Australian Medical Council’s 2012 assessment of the education and training program & professional development program; and to ACT Health. The latter resulted in the inclusion of chronic pain for the first time in ACT Health history in the ACT Government Health Department’s ACT Chronic Conditions Strategy — Improving Care and Support 2013-2018. Pain Support ACT was mentioned in the list of resources as a condition specific group.
Marg stepped down as President at the same time as ACT Self-Help Organisations United Together (SHOUT), to which PSACT was a member, closed down in 2017. PSACT, to guarantee its continuation moved under the umbrella of Arthritis ACT. Marg took on an advisory role as Arthritis ACT Board member, until increasing ill-health a couple of years ago.
This is only a small description of the tireless work Marg undertook over the past 16 years. The continued success of Pain Support ACT as a support, information, and advocacy group is her legacy to the people of Canberra and beyond.
I’m blessed to have known Marg for the past 16 years, from preparations leading up to the first meeting from which Pain Support ACT started. Marg's friendship and hospitality remains dear in my heart.
Vale Margaret McCulloch – you will be missed
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2014 ACT Volunteer of the Year Award for Community Service
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Finalist in the 2019 Lifeline Canberra Women of Spirit Awards.
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Tribute from Health Care Consumers Association
Marg was a valued member of the Health Care Consumers’ Association and we are saddened to hear of her passing. Staff at HCCA remember her as a warm, collaborative, passionate advocate for the needs of people living with pain. We are deeply grateful for her contribution to the work of HCCA over many years and her advocacy for the health care needs of the ACT community.
Marg was a valued member of the Health Care Consumers’ Association and we are saddened to hear of her passing. Staff at HCCA remember her as a warm, collaborative, passionate advocate for the needs of people living with pain. We are deeply grateful for her contribution to the work of HCCA over many years and her advocacy for the health care needs of the ACT community.
Media releases:
Volunteering ACT 2014 Community Services Volunteer Award
https://www.facebook.com/HCCA.ACT/posts/congratulations-margaret-mcculloch-for-receiving-the-volunteering-act-2014-commu/10152478570325629/
Finalist in Lifeline Canberra Women of Spirit Awards
https://www.facebook.com/Painaustralia/posts/2340907652653180
https://www.painaustralia.org.au/media/enews/enews-2019/issue-91/guest-contribution-margaret-mcculloch-president-of-act-pain-support-inc
Volunteering ACT 2014 Community Services Volunteer Award
https://www.facebook.com/HCCA.ACT/posts/congratulations-margaret-mcculloch-for-receiving-the-volunteering-act-2014-commu/10152478570325629/
Finalist in Lifeline Canberra Women of Spirit Awards
https://www.facebook.com/Painaustralia/posts/2340907652653180
https://www.painaustralia.org.au/media/enews/enews-2019/issue-91/guest-contribution-margaret-mcculloch-president-of-act-pain-support-inc
Image credits: Top - from Memorial Page 16 Nov2023; Awards - Suzanne Newnham