Hi Friends,

As we approach March, excitement is building for Make March Purple—our annual campaign to raise awareness and funds for epilepsy. This year’s theme, Purple Heroes, is all about celebrating the strength of those living with epilepsy, their caregivers, and the incredible community that supports them.

I’m thrilled to see so many individuals already stepping up as Purple Heroes—taking on challenges, raising funds, and making a real impact. Every effort, big or small, contributes to our vital work, and I encourage you to join in. Whether it’s hosting a Purple Grill BBQ, embracing the Purple Muck Challenge, or encouraging your school or workplace to participate, there’s a way for everyone to get involved.

Each year, one of the highlights of Make March Purple is our Purple Plush Toy Competition! This year, we’re introducing two adorable new additions—a cat and a kangaroo with her joey—and we need your help to name them. (see below)

Our Purple Illuminations campaign is also gaining momentum, with landmarks across Tasmania set to light up in support of epilepsy awareness. From Launceston Town Hall to Wrest Point Casino, these illuminations send a powerful message that epilepsy deserves visibility and understanding.  We’re really keen also for people to be creative and light up classrooms, homes, cafes, gardens, dog kennels etc and email us through some pics for us to add to our socials.

Finally, I’m delighted to share that Epilepsy Tasmania’s Launceston office is on the move! In March, we’ll be relocating from 2 Willis Street to 31 Thistle Street, within the Door of Hope precinct. This exciting new space offers better parking, improved training facilities, and great coffee—plus, we’ll be surrounded by other fantastic tenancies, including childcare, a gym, and allied health services. We can’t wait to welcome you there!

March is our time to shine purple—let’s make it our biggest and boldest campaign yet!

Paul Quilliam
CEO, Epilepsy Tasmania

As mentioned above, during the month of March many businesses and iconic landmarks will be lit up in Purple, including AAMI Stadium & Rod Laver Arena. 

Would you like to see your name added to the Tassie Illuminations list below?  It's not too late.......

Please contact us if you would like to be involved in helping get this powerful message across in your workplace or home.  Send us a picture of your illumination contribution, and you could win a 3 hour Wilderness Cruise with Bruny Island Cruises or Tasman Island Cruises, or in the Vista Lounge with Wineglass Bay Cruises, courtesy of Pennicott Wilderness Journeys.

All contributors will be posted on our socials and named in our next edition of Brain Waves. 

Not all heroes wear capes. 

Be a Purple Hero and register for a Purple Challenge today.

You can help us Celebrate 50 years of Epilepsy Tasmania

As we prepare to celebrate this year, we would love to hear from you if you or someone you know has been connected with Epilepsy Tasmania in the past-whether as a volunteer, donor, staff member, Board Member or someone who has benefited from our services. 

We can't wait to celebrate with you and if you are able to help out with names of people that we can celebrate with, please contact us at 50th@epilepsytasmania.org.au or as per the contact details below. 

We are looking forward to your help in creating a memorable 50 years of stories, memories and acknowledgements. 

Education and Training: Are YOU Epilepsy Ready?

We ARE and we care about preparing individuals to support someone with Epilepsy. Whether you are a teacher, coworker, disability worker or family member we have training to support your situation and needs.

Currently 1% of the Tasmanian population are experiencing active epilepsy. If you don’t already know someone with epilepsy you are likely to at some point in your life. Seizure first aid training can prepare you to respond quickly and provide support to the person experiencing the seizure. We can also deliver tailored training specific to an individual’s Epilepsy Management Plans – including administration of emergency medication if needed.

Here is what some of our participants had to say:

"It was very informative and covered all aspects of supporting a participant with epilepsy. The animated clips were a great way of seeing what seizures may present like."

"Practical advice of school-based situations and what different seizures may look like."

"The whole presentation was interesting and informative, providing more understanding."

Contact us for more information via email education@epilepsytasmania.org.au or phone

Liz 0456 231 632 or Sarah 0422 818 490.

Peer Support

Did you Know? 

We've partnered with Entertainment to offer some great deals if you purchase a membership in support of our fundraising goals.  We know you will be keen to see what bargains you can score. 

Are you looking for ways you can volunteer in the community in 2025?

We are eager to welcome new volunteers and reconnect with those who have supported us in the past. These people and their contributions will be vital in helping us achieve our mission to raise awareness and advocate for those living with epilepsy. Whether you’re interested in assisting with events, or spreading awareness, there are numerous ways to get involved. We invite individuals who are passionate about making a difference to join us in what promises to be a year of growth and celebration. We look forward to hearing from you at volunteering@epilepsytasmania.org.au 

"If I cannot do great things, I can do SMALL things in a great way." – Martin Luther King Jr.