About us

The Spina Bifida Foundation of Victoria began in the
mid-1990s and provides its members and the community with a range of resources in managing and preventing
spina bifida.

These include:

programs for members with spina bifida to improve fitness and mobility, independence and continence management
Folate Information NEtwork (FINE) provides information about folate and how it can prevent neural tube defects such as spina bifida in early pregnancy
community education and awareness of spina bifida, its varying degrees of disability and its prevention
online community mc² for members
Spina Bifida Awareness Week in September

The SBFV does not receive any government funding and relies solely on the generosity of community members.

A Family Experience of Spina Bifida

Our Co-founder - Malcolm B. Menelaus
(1930-2000)

Malcolm Menelaus was involved with orthopaedic management of children with spina bifida for over 30 years.

He understood the need to ensure proper management and coordinated support for children with spina bifida and their families. By pooling the experiences of the spina bifida clinic at the Royal Children's Hospital and other international centres, a clearer picture of the best treatment of this complex problem would emerge.

The Spina Bifida Foundation of Victoria was founded as a network for families and a contact point for information.

Patron - Geoffrey Rush

Geoffrey Rush has been involved in stage and film for over 30 years. He has received many national and international awards including an Oscar and two Oscar nominations.

Geoffrey lives with his wife Jane Menelaus and two children. It is because of his admiration for Jane's father, co-founder of the SBFV Malcolm Menelaus, that he is honoured to be patron.

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Ambassador - Jane Hall

Jane Hall has appeared in many Australian films and television shows, most notably Channel 10's Neighbours where she currently stars as Rebecca Napier.

As a mother, Jane understands the importance of taking folate to prevent spina bifida, and is the Folate Ambassador for the SBFV.