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13 January 2026: Brisbane’s Miles family has been awarded MS Australia’s prestigious 2025 John Studdy Award, recognising more than a decade of outstanding, selfless service to the MS community across Queensland.

The John Studdy Award is MS Australia’s highest honour. It recognises individuals or groups who have provided at least 10 years of exceptional service that has made a real and lasting difference to people living with MS and the wider community that supports them.

The family’s journey began in 2013 when Jess Miles was diagnosed with MS at just 27 years of age. From that moment, Jess and her parents, Jan and Glenn, sister Amy and other family members committed themselves to raising awareness and building support for people living with MS, launching “Team Walk for Jess” for the MS Moonlight Walk that same year.

Over the past 12 years, the Miles Family have raised more than $176,000 for MS Queensland through an extraordinary series of grassroots efforts, including monthly fundraising barbecues, raffles, high teas, luncheons, and partnerships with local businesses. Their events have brought awareness, encouragement and hope to countless Queenslanders affected by MS.

Speaking at the awards ceremony, Jan Miles said the recognition was deeply meaningful.

“We started this journey to support Jess, and along the way we have met so many people who needed connection and understanding.

“That is what keeps us going. The ripple effect of community support is what matters most,” Ms Miles said.

As Jan also shared during the ceremony, the scale of their fundraising becomes clear when you hear the numbers: more than 37,000 sausages, close to a tonne of onions and hundreds of litres of tomato sauce cooked and served over more than a decade. The light-hearted detail reflects years of energy, humour and community spirit behind their efforts.

Their community work has extended far beyond fundraising, supporting people newly diagnosed with MS and building a network of care and connection that has impacted many across Brisbane and surrounding regions.

Jan also thanked the volunteers and supporters who have stood beside the family for more than a decade.

“We have been lucky to have people step forward to help at every stage.

“We will continue to raise awareness, share stories and support others on their MS journey, ” Mrs Miles said.

MS Australia CEO Rohan Greenland said the Miles family has shown the kind of service and leadership that the John Studdy Award exists to recognise.

“Their dedication, compassion and leadership have brought people together and provided hope to many.

“Their impact has reached far beyond fundraising. They have built connections and strengthened the MS community across Queensland. This recognition is richly deserved,” Mr Greenland said.

MS Queensland CEO David Curd said the Miles family’s dedication has touched many lives and represents the very best of Queensland community spirit.

“The way Jess, Jan, Glenn and Family have turned their own experience into support for others is extraordinary.

They have shown up year after year, offering kindness, encouragement and practical help to people who need it, and their generosity has changed lives across Queensland.” Mr Curd said.

[END]

 About the MS Australia Awards

The MS Australia Awards shine a spotlight on the remarkable people driving change, compassion and progress across the MS community.

2025 MS Australia recipients are Professor Bruce Taylor and Professor Helmut Butzkueven, co-recipients of the MS Research Award, MS Nurse and advocate Belinda Bardsley, recipient of the MS Advocacy Award, and the Miles family (Jess, Jan and Glenn), recipients of the John Studdy Award.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
media@msaustralia.org.au
Lisa Montague – 0412 002 544
Jayme Markus – 0401 944 905

US exceptionalism under pressure

The future of US exceptionalism remains a hotly debated topic among investors. The US economy has demonstrated remarkable resilience in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, returning to and even surpassing pre-pandemic levels of activity. This rebound was driven by an extraordinary fiscal response, including over US$1 trillion in public assistance at the federal and state level in 2023 alone. It boosted consumer spending, corporate profits, and asset prices, contributing to a 2.8% GDP growth rate the following year.

Yet, many analysts and official reports highlight persistent structural challenges beneath these headline figures. Wage growth has lagged inflation for much of the past two decades, life expectancy has declined since 2019, and many Americans continue to face barriers to quality healthcare and education. According to Dimon, while the US excels in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, enduring socio-economic disparities raise questions about the country’s future prospects.

Monetary policy’s unintended consequences

Monetary policy has played a pivotal role in shaping the current environment. The Federal Reserve (Fed)’s response to the pandemic was marked by record levels of quantitative easing, peaking in early 2022, alongside historically low interest rate—measures typically reserved for periods of low inflation or deflation.

However, inflation was already surging, with the Consumer Price Index reaching multi-decade highs. The Fed initially characterised this inflation as transitory, but as pressures persisted, interest rates were eventually raised to cool the economy. Yet quantitative easing continued for some time, resulting in one of the largest interest rate mismatches in history and leaving the Fed’s balance sheet with substantial mark-to-market losses. The persistence of accommodative policy, Dimon argued, highlights the risk of groupthink and the challenges inherent in unwinding extraordinary measures.

Credit markets: Signs of strain after years of stability

After more than a decade of minimal credit losses and abundant liquidity, credit markets are beginning to show signs of vulnerability. Dimon warned that elevated asset prices, narrow spreads, and an increase in episodic defaults point to growing fragility. Complacency is setting in, raising the risk of asset bubbles as valuations reach historic highs and speculative activity intensifies. Weakened credit standards, higher leverage, and the growth of illiquid investment vehicles are distinct warning signs.

Many market participants have not experienced a full credit cycle, and when the cycle does turn, the adjustment could be sharper than expected. The recent uptick in subprime delinquencies and wholesale market losses suggests the benign environment of recent years may be ending.

Persistent inflationary pressures—driven by rising healthcare costs, food prices, wage growth, and global militarisation—are likely to keep rates elevated. Expectations of imminent rate cuts may be overly optimistic, as the era of ultra-low rates has passed.

Strategic engagement of China

Rising geoeconomic fragmentation is reshaping market dynamics and fuelling inflationary pressures. Constructive engagement with China through multilateral frameworks and partners, rather than unilateral action, can help manage competition and reduce the risk of miscalculation. Dimon noted that China’s industrial strategy has enabled it to secure substantial market share in areas such as rare earth minerals, medical innovation, and intellectual property, offering lessons for other economies navigating a fragmented global landscape.

Stablecoins: Innovation vs. speculation

Digital assets, and stablecoins in particular, have attracted significant attention as vehicles for both innovation and speculation. Dimon observed that while transaction volumes are substantial, the majority of stablecoin activity is driven by speculative trading rather than genuine commercial transactions. Despite being pegged to fiat currencies, stablecoins have been linked to risks including fraud, tax evasion, and other illicit activities.

Financial institutions are actively exploring blockchain-based solutions, such as deposit tokens, to improve payment and settlement processes. However, the practical advantages over traditional fiat systems are yet to be proven, while robust regulatory oversight is essential to address the associated risks.

Industry boundaries and competition redefined by AI

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Looking ahead

Dimon emphasised that in an era of rapid shifts and uncertainty, effective leadership is less about predicting the future and more about preparing for a range of possible outcomes. He stressed the value of maintaining flexibility and liquidity, so organisations are ready to act when opportunities emerge.