Hosted by Save Our Sons Duchenne Foundation
in conjunction with partners
Registrations now closed

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 BEEDEvent AgendaFAQsSpeakers

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

  1. Morning
  2. 8:30amto 9:00am
    Check-in opens
  3. 9:00amto 9:10am
    Welcome and introductions
    Miled Akle — Chair of the Convening Committee
  4. 9:10amto 9:30am
    Keynote Speaker
    Tim Harte
  5. 9:30amto 10:00am
    All about BMD: an overview of natural history and approaches to care
    Dr Ian Woodcock
  6. 10:00amto 10:30am
    Genetics, family planning, and how conversations with families change over time
    Miriam Rodrigues
  7. 10:30amto 11:00am
    Early disease detection using Cardiac MRI
    Associate Professor Joseph Suttie
  8. 11:00amto 11:30am
    Morning tea
  9. 11:30amto 12:00pm
    Physiotherapy considerations
    Michelle Liddicut
  10. 12:00pmto 12:30pm
    The role of exercise and nutritional interventions on the pathophysiology of Becker muscular dystrophy
    Prof Gordon Lynch & Dr Kristy Swiderski
  11. 12:30pmto 1:00pm
    Current research landscape in Australia and New Zealand
    Dr Gayatri Jain
  12. 1:00pmto 2:00pm
    Lunch
  13. Afternoon
  14. 2:00pmto 3:00pm
    Walks of Life: a panel session with individuals living with BMD — Session 1
    Facilitated by Dr Kate Irving, Daniella Villano & Adam Partridge
  15. 3:00pmto 3:15pm
    Afternoon tea
  16. 3:15pmto 4:00pm
    Walks of Life: a panel session with individuals living with BMD — Session 2
    Facilitated by Dr Kate Irving, Daniella Villano & Adam Partridge
  17. Evening
  18. 6:00pmto 8:00pm
    Dinner
    The Farmacy Restaurant and Bar, The Larwill Hotel

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

Speakers

Miled Akle
Miled Akle
Treasurer & Chair of the Convening Committee
Save Our Sons Duchenne Foundation
Tim Harte
Tim Harte
Independent Director & International Coordinator
Australian Federation of Disability Organisations · Victorian Disability Advisory Council · Victorian NDIS Community Advisory Council
Dr Ian Woodcock
Dr Ian Woodcock
Paediatric Neurologist
The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne · Research Fellow, Murdoch Children's Research Institute
Miriam Rodrigues
Miriam Rodrigues
Genetics Counsellor & Neurogenetic Research Lead
Te Whatu Ora | Te Toka Tumai Auckland, NZ · University of Auckland
Associate Professor Joseph Suttie
Associate Professor Joseph Suttie
Cardiology Consultant
MBBS BSc(Med)Hons(I) LLB MBA MBioeth EdD DPhil(Oxon) FRACP FCSANZ
Michelle Liddicut
Michelle Liddicut
Grade 3 Physiotherapist – Neuromuscular
St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne
Prof Gordon Lynch
Prof Gordon Lynch
Director, Centre for Muscle Research
The University of Melbourne
Dr Kristy Swiderski
Dr Kristy Swiderski
Research / Postdoctoral Fellow, Centre for Muscle Research
The University of Melbourne, Dept of Anatomy & Physiology
Dr Gayatri Jain
Dr Gayatri Jain
Director of Neurophysiology Neuromuscular Trials
St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne · Neurology Victoria, East Melbourne
Dr Kate Irving
Dr Kate Irving
Paediatric Neurologist
The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne · Young Adult Neuromuscular Clinic, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne
Daniella Villano
Daniella Villano
MDA Neuromuscular Nurse Consultant
The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne
Adam Partridge
Adam Partridge
Clinical Psychologist
Buckley Consulting Group
Di Carter
Di Carter
Executive Director
Muscular Dystrophy Foundation Australia
Bryony Whitwell
Bryony Whitwell
Community Programs Coordinator
Neuromuscular WA
Mary Orgill
Mary Orgill
Head of Programs & Impact
Muscular Dystrophy Australia · MA(Comm-OrgComm), MMgt(Mktg), ADipBus(Marketing)

Where

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

Check-in opens 8:30am. BEED runs 9:00am – 4:00pm. Dinner 6:00pm – 8:00pm at The Farmacy Restaurant and Bar, The Larwill Hotel.

Get Directions

Event Details

Registrations have now closed. Thank you to everyone who registered — we look forward to welcoming you in Melbourne on Friday 23 October.

  • Friday 23 October 2026, 9:00am – 4:00pm
  • Check-in opens 8:30am
  • Dinner 6:00pm – 8:00pm, The Farmacy Restaurant and Bar
  • The Larwill Studio, Parkville VIC

Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea are provided. Dietary and access requirements were collected at registration.

Questions about your booking?
  • Changes to an existing registration
  • Accommodation or travel assistance queries
  • Dinner attendance

Please note registrations are closed and new bookings cannot be accepted.

Contact

FAQs

What is 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 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.

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.

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 were 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.

Does everyone attending need to register?

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

Proud Partners

Proud partners: Save Our Sons Duchenne Foundation, MDNSW, Muscular Dystrophy Australia, Neuromuscular WA, The Royal Children's Hospital, St Vincent's