About CMAA

The Cardiomyopathy Association of Australia is the only national not-for-profit solely focused on supporting and advocating for all people impacted by cardiomyopathy.

We are a registered, voluntary, charitable organisation supporting people with all forms of cardiomyopathy, and their families.

Our Vision

Our vision is that those impacted by cardiomyopathy in Australia and New Zealand are supported, informed, and heard.

Our Mission

We are committed to providing opportunities for connection, learning, and access to research, to those within the cardiomyopathy community. We work collaboratively to elevate the voice of cardiomyopathy patients ensuring their perspectives contribute to shaping decisions which impact them.

Our Values

Trustworthy: We rely on up-to-date, evidence-based information as the foundation of our work. 

Attentive: We actively listen and respond to the evolving needs of our community. 

Transparent: We maintain openness and accountability in all our actions and communications. 

Inclusive: We welcome, respect, and value everyone in the cardiomyopathy community

Proactive: We adopt a long-term view, take initiative, and actively shape our environment to better serve the community. 

Understanding: We embody compassion, empathy, and kindness in our interactions, acknowledging the unique experiences within the cardiomyopathy community. 

Realistic: We are honest about cardiomyopathy, acknowledging its impact while working towards realistic solutions and support. 

Our History

The Cardiomyopathy Association of Australia Ltd was founded by Robyn Bell as the "Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Association of Australia Inc".

Robyn's husband Ray and daughter Leigh were diagnosed with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) in the 1980s. In the early 1990s, other members of Ray's extended family were also diagnosed. Frustrated by a lack of information on the condition, Robyn joined other members of her family to form a group with the aim of offering support and providing information to people with HCM, their families and health professionals. More and more members joined from interstate and it was decided to have a principal contact in each state.

The Association originally targeted people with HCM, but through enquiries from people with other forms of Cardiomyopathy, the Association decided to broaden its membership to encompass all forms of the condition. Its name was officially changed to "Cardiomyopathy Association of Australia Incorporated" (CMAA Inc) in June 1995.

In 1999 Cardiomyopathy Association of Australia Limited [CMAA Ltd] was registered, embracing a truly national framework. 

Postal address: PO Box 2006, Surrey Hills,
Victoria 3127, Australia

ABN:
36 091 171 470