With the Kellion Victory Medal, Diabetes Victoria honours those who have lived with diabetes for 50, 60, 70 years or more. Reaching this milestone is a celebration of courage, determination, resilience and teamwork.

Less than 100 years ago, before the discovery of the medical use of insulin, having type 1 diabetes was a death sentence. Since then, numerous advances in technology and education have dramatically improved the life expectancy and quality of life for people with diabetes.

Celebrate with us the 2020 Kellion Victory Medal recipients, and let’s start with acknowledging 80-year recipient Anna Moresby.
 

When Anna Moresby was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 1940, she wasn’t expected to live to see her 30th birthday. This was at a time when England had just entered World War 2, food and insulin were rationed, doctors knew little about diabetes and medical treatments were nowhere near as advanced as they are today.

But Anna has defied all odds and now is the second Victorian who has reached the amazing milestone of living with diabetes for 80 years – what a reason to celebrate. Read all about Anna’s incredible journey here. Sadly, Anna Moresby passed away in June 2021, aged 85. Anna was a delight to be around. She provided us with many insights into living so well for such a long time with diabetes and we are grateful to have known her. Diabetes Victoria extends our sympathy to her family and friends.

Anna & friends

Anna Moresby, Suzanne Warner and Dawn Stanton have been lifelong friends. They all live with diabetes, and met through a peer support group many decades ago. This year, all three of them are receiving a Kellion Victory Medal: Anna for 80 years, Suzanne for 70 years and Dawn for 50 years. That’s a combined 200 years of lived diabetes experience – how special!

Dawn, Suzanne, Anna

Meet 80-year Kellion Victory Medal recipient Anna Moresby. Anna has experienced dramatic changes in diabetes management over eight decades, has been an eye witness of life-changing developments in the diabetes world and has significantly contributed to establishing Victoria’s peer support network.

This year, 44 Victorians have qualified for the Kellion Victory Medal. Each one of them has overcome many hurdles in their long life with diabetes. Each one of them deserves our acknowledgment of this achievement. Read the amazing stories of all of our medallists in the commemorative booklet.

80 reasons to celebrate during National Diabetes Week (PDF) 

2020 Gwen Scott Grant Program - for Diabetes Professional Development: recipients announced (PDF)

 "Town Talk" with Roger Broadbent on Radio Eastern FM - Interview with Craig Bennett and Anna Moresby (MP4) (click to download or listen to the interview below)

 

Diabetes is the name given to a group of conditions in which there is too much glucose in the blood. Glucose is the body’s main source of fuel or energy. This is where insulin enters the story.

Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas. It opens the channels that let glucose move from the blood to the body’s cells, where energy can be used. Without insulin doing its job, the glucose channels are shut and glucose builds up in the blood. This can lead to high blood glucose levels, which can cause the many health problems linked to diabetes.

• Type 1 diabetes: In type1 diabetes, the body’s own immune system destroys the cells that make insulin. The exact cause of this is unknown, and there is currently no cure. People with type 1 diabetes have to inject insulin several times every day for the rest of their lives. They live with this condition 24/7.

• Type 2 diabetes: The onset of type 2 diabetes is more gradual that type 1 diabetes, as the body becomes resistant to insulin and/or doesn’t produce enough insulin in the pancreas. There are known risk factors. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are over three times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes compared with non-Aboriginal people.

• Gestational diabetes: This is a type of diabetes that can occur during pregnancy. It needs to be managed carefully to protect the health of the unborn baby. Gestational diabetes usually goes away after the baby is born. However, women who have had gestational diabetes have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.

Since 1953 Diabetes Victoria has been the leading charity and peak consumer body working to reduce the impact of diabetes.

We are committed to minimising the impact of diabetes in the community, helping all people affected by diabetes and contributing to the search for a cure.

Our work covers type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes, as well as programs for people at risk. We also rely heavily on the generosity of our caring community of members and supporters to help fund our diabetes education, awareness activities and research.

Our offices are located in the CBD, Campbellfield and Geelong.

Diabetes Victoria acknowledges the traditional custodians of our lands and pays respect to their Elders, past and present. We strive to reduce the impact of diabetes on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in Victoria.