1992 – The Meningitis Centre (TMC) was formed on 24 April 1992 with Professor Fiona Stanley and Bruce Langoulant as Chairperson. Based at West Australia Research Institute for Child Health (now Telethon Kids Institute) where Fiona was the director.
1992 – TMC produced its first three brochures to educate the community about the signs and symptoms, what is Meningitis and Meningitis recovery.
1992 – TMC appealed to families to join us and tell their stories to help others. We held family events to bring people together. Michael and Sophie Kailis were great supporters, Michael was a committee member for many years.
1993 –TMC informed parents of Hib (Haemophilus Influenzae Type B) with the ‘Wipe it Out’ campaign and the first Meningitis vaccine was added to the National Immunisation Plan (NIP)
1994 – Bruce Langoulant addressed doctors and nurses at Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) to share the frustrations experienced by parents in ICU and promote TMC
1995 – TMC launched their first Signs and Symptoms Fridge Magnet
1996- TMC appeared on Telethon with the NAB state manager who presented a $25,000 cheque to Telethon for Meningitis research.
1997- Bruce Langoulant counselled families who had lost teens to Meningococcal as requested by Fiona Stanley.
1999 – TMC created and launched the ‘Manage the Minutes’ campaign and video which formed the basis of their messaging and awareness raising.
1999 – TMC conducted a major media launch and seminar with panel members at the PMH auditorium for Meningitis with families sharing their stories.
1999 – Establishing a Free call number (1800 250 223) available to all Australians 24/7
2000 – Bruce Langoulant ran in the Sydney Olympic Torch Relay as a Community Representative. He was selected for his work done on Meningitis.
2001 – TMC created a highly successful letters campaign in WA appealing to more Families Survivors and Friends to tell their stories and then took it nationally to great effect.
2001 – TMC was approached by Wyeth (now Pfizer) to lead a national push for the introduction of a new pneumococcal disease vaccine given our personal experience and TMC organisation
2002 – TMC employed the first part time CEO to assist with working nationally on the ‘Free Pneumo’ for children campaign
2002 – TMC celebrated their 10th anniversary, Bruce Langoulant was awarded the Fiona Stanley Medal for Service to Children’s Health
2003 – Meningococcal C was added to the NIP after TMC’s heavy lobbing local and federal Government.
2004 – The ‘Free Pneumo’ campaign is successful, and the Federal Government announced it will be adding the Pneumococcal vaccine to the NIP.
2004 – TMC is a founding member of the Confederation of Meningitis Organisations (CoMO). An international organisation that unites Meningitis groups that share the common goal of reducing the incidence and impact of Meningitis globally.
2005 – The Pneumococcal vaccine was added to the NIP after 3 years of TMC campaigning and meeting with the then Federal Health Minister Tony Abbott.
2008 – TMC publishes a book ‘Meningitis – A Tragedy by Instalments’ based on the stories collected over years of work.
2009 – TMC hosts the head office and local registration in Perth, WA for CoMO the International Organisation.
2011 – TMC worked with Adam Selwood of the West Coast Eagles (a Survivor) to produce videos and raise awareness.
2012 – TMC celebrated their 20th Anniversary at Subiaco Oval.
2015 – TMC officially registered as Meningitis Centre Australia (MCA) a non-for-profit charity organisation.
2016 – MCA campaigned and lobbied for the ACW-135Y Meningococcal vaccine to be added to the WA immunisation plan. MCA met with the then Health Minister for WA John Day to discuss the vaccination and the increasing number of cases.
2017 – The ACW-135Y vaccine was added to the WA immunisation plan for 15-19 year-olds with 3 states following weeks later.
2017 – MCA celebrated their 25th anniversary at Government House with a reception hosted by Her Excellency Kerry Sanderson.
2018 – MCA moved to the Niche building, a Lotterywest subsidised initiative.
2018 – The ACW-135Y vaccine for 1 – 4 year olds and 15 – 19 year olds was added to WA’s Immunisation Plan.
2018 – ACW-135Y vaccine was added to the NIP, for 12 month olds.
2018 – After many years of lobbying by MCA, South Australia became the first state to introduce the Meningococcal B vaccine to the state’s immunisation plan for babies and toddlers aged between 6 weeks to 1 year.
2019 – Bruce Langoulant received the Order of Australia for his community work in raising awareness about Meningitis and Meningococcal disease as well as his work commitment and effort in the disability sector and as Chairperson of the WA Disability Services Commission.
2019 – After years of lobbing all states for the Meningococcal B vaccine to be added to the immunisation plan for teenagers, SA added the vaccination due to higher case rates and local studies.
2019 – MCA successfully lobbied for the Government to add the ACW-135Y vaccination to the NIP for teenagers, who are the biggest carrier of the disease.
2021 – MCA extended their providing of support and information packages to Hospitals, Doctors, Childcare Centres, and Social Workers nationally.
2021 – MCA launched MENding Hearts, a support group for families who have experienced Meningitis, Meningococcal, and Pneumococcal.
2022 – MCA launched their new baby information packs, aimed towards new parents.
MCA services calls and emails from the community and media, Australia wide on Meningitis, Meningococcal, Pneumococcal, and related diseases.
MCA supports families whose lives have been touched by Meningitis, Meningococcal, Pneumococcal, and related diseases.
MCA raises awareness in local communities and nationally of Meningitis, Meningococcal, Pneumococcal, and related diseases.
MCA provides education about prevention, vaccination, and the signs and symptoms of Meningitis, Meningococcal, and Pneumococcal.
