Hosted by Save Our Sons Duchenne Foundation
in conjunction with partners

Registrations now open

Friday 23 October 2026, Melbourne

A free day for people living with Becker muscular dystrophy, their families, clinicians and researchers — to learn, connect and engage with the wider Becker community. The first time BEED has been held in Australasia.

A free day for the Becker community — expert talks, the latest research, and people who understand the journey.

About BEED Event Agenda FAQs Register Now

About BEED

Becker Education and Engagement Day (BEED) is a free, dedicated event bringing together individuals living with Becker muscular dystrophy, their families, parents of children with BMD, clinicians, researchers and advocacy organisations to learn, connect and engage with the wider Becker community.

We are proud to announce that BEED will be held in Australasia for the very first time on Friday, 23 October 2026. This important event is proudly hosted by Save Our Sons Duchenne Foundation and has been developed specifically for the Becker community.

BEED will provide an opportunity to hear from leading experts, learn about the latest developments in Becker muscular dystrophy, connect with others who understand the journey, and build meaningful relationships within the community.

We are incredibly proud to bring the Becker community together for this important and meaningful day, and we look forward to welcoming families, individuals, clinicians, researchers and advocates from across Australasia.

Agenda

Morning
9:00amto 9:10am
Welcome and introductions
Speaker TBC
9:10amto 9:30am
Keynote Speaker
Tim Harte
9:30amto 10:00am
All about BMD: an overview of natural history and approaches to care
Dr Eppie Yiu
10:00amto 10:30am
Genetics, family planning, and how conversations with families change over time
Miriam Rodrigues
10:30amto 11:00am
Cardiac care
Speaker TBC
11:00amto 11:30am
Morning tea
11:30amto 12:00pm
Physiotherapy considerations
Michelle Liddicut
12:00pmto 12:30pm
The role of exercise and nutritional interventions on the pathophysiology of Becker muscular dystrophy
Prof Gordon Lynch & Dr Kristy Swiderski
12:30pmto 1:00pm
Current research landscape in Australia and New Zealand
Dr Gayatri Jain
1:00pmto 2:00pm
Lunch
Afternoon
2:00pmto 3:00pm
Walks of Life: a panel session with individuals living with BMD — Session 1
Facilitated by Dr Kate Irving & Daniella Villano
3:00pmto 3:15pm
Afternoon tea
3:15pmto 4:00pm
Walks of Life: a panel session with individuals living with BMD — Session 2
Facilitated by Dr Kate Irving & Daniella Villano
Evening
6:00pmto 8:00pm
Dinner
The Farmacy Restaurant and Bar, The Larwill Hotel

Draft programme — sessions and speakers may change before the day.

Speakers

Dr Eppie Yiu

Pediatric Neurologist & Lead, Neuromuscular Clinic

Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne · Hon. Fellow, Murdoch Children's Research Institute

Miriam Rodrigues

Genetic Counsellor & Neurogenetic Research Lead

Te Whatu Ora | Te Toka Tumai Auckland, NZ · University of Auckland

Michelle Liddicut

Physiotherapist

St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne

Prof Gordon Lynch

Director, Centre for Muscle Research

University of Melbourne

Dr Kristy Swiderski

Research / Postdoctoral Fellow, Centre for Muscle Research

University of Melbourne, Dept of Anatomy & Physiology

Dr Gayatri Jain

Director of Neurophysiology

St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne · Neurology Victoria, East Melbourne

Dr Kate Irving

Pediatric Neurologist

Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne · Victorian Children's Clinic

Daniella Villano

Neuromuscular Nurse Consultant

Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne

Tim Harte

PhD Researcher, Institute for Frontier Materials

Deakin University

Where

The Larwill Studio Melbourne – Art Series
48 Flemington Road, Parkville VIC 3052
Get directions

BEED runs 9:00am – 4:00pm. Dinner 6:00pm – 8:00pm at The Farmacy Restaurant and Bar, The Larwill Hotel.

Register Now

Secure your place at Australasia's first Becker Education and Engagement Day.

Friday 23 October 2026, 9:00am – 4:00pm
Dinner 6:00pm – 8:00pm, The Farmacy Restaurant and Bar
The Larwill Studio, Parkville VIC
Free to attend

Each person planning to attend BEED must be registered individually — including family members and carers.

What you'll be asked

Your name and contact details
Who you're registering — yourself, family members or a support person
Dietary and access requirements
Whether you'd like to join the evening social event

Takes about 5 minutes

FAQs

What is BEED?

We are proud to announce that BEED will be held in Australasia for the very first time on Friday, 23 October 2026.

This important event is proudly hosted by Save Our Sons Duchenne Foundation in conjunction with regional clinical and neuromuscular partner organisations, helping to make this an information-packed day, and has been developed specifically for the Becker community.

When is the event being held?

Friday 23 October 2026.

Where is the event being held?

Melbourne, Victoria
The Larwill Studio Melbourne – Art Series
48 Flemington Road
Parkville VIC 3052
Australia

How long will the event go for?

The event will start at 9am and finish at 4pm, with a community dinner to follow from 6pm – 8pm.

Can kids attend the event?

No, this event is 16+ only.

Is BEED free to attend?

Yes. BEED is free for individuals living with Becker muscular dystrophy, their families and carers. Registration is required.

What will be provided during the event?

Food and refreshments will be provided throughout the event, including breakfast, lunch and snacks during the day.

Dietary requirements will be collected during registration, and we will do our best to accommodate individual needs.

A Community Dinner will also be held on Friday evening, providing attendees, families, clinicians and members of the Becker community with an opportunity to connect and spend time together in a relaxed and informal setting. There will be no formal presentations during the Community Dinner.

Is hotel accommodation available?

Hotel accommodation at the event venue may be available for attendees who require overnight lodging support.

Subject to availability, one hotel room for up to two nights may be provided per registered party.

Accommodation requests will be collected during registration, and confirmation of hotel arrangements will be provided closer to the event.

Is travel assistance available?

Eligible attendees may request travel assistance when completing their registration.

Additional travel assistance beyond hotel accommodation may be requested. Eligible Becker attendees and their support person will be approved for a partial travel bursary (contribution) of up to AUD $500 for travelling to attend BEED.

Approved travel assistance is provided through a reimbursement process. Attendees are responsible for making their own travel arrangements and covering approved expenses upfront.

Only attendees who have received prior approval for travel assistance and who attend BEED will be eligible for reimbursement. Further information regarding the reimbursement process will be provided to approved recipients prior to the event.

Does everyone attending need to register?

Yes. All individuals attending BEED must be registered, including family members and caregivers.

If you would like to add additional family members or caregivers to your registration, you can do so using the Additional Party Member Form.