Me magazine oct 2014 by McPherson Media Group

Issue 6 • October 2014

“I lost 60 kilos”

Pink Ribbon D 16-pag ay e feature

How an unhealthy mum

dropped eight dress sizes

Careers

FASHION INDUSTRY PASSION

HEALTH >> Balancing

good stress

>> ACNE >> Are you fatigued?

Ageless bond Friendship grows outside hair salon

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| • New Homes • Renovations • Kitchens • Vanities • Laundries • Entertainment Units • Studies OCTOBER • Office2014 Fittings • Commercial 3

6 “I lost 60 kilos” How Vivien Hall dropped eight dress sizes

Cover: Marge Mckenzie and Cassandra Jerome. Page 16

Editor Corinna Boldiston 5820 3183 corinna.boldiston@sheppnews.com.au Writers Sharon Wright Rhiannon Gavalakis Alexandra Bathman Elaine Cooney

30 Rollercoaster ride Breast cancer survivor Theresa Murray

Sub-editors Sandy Lloyd Lisa Anderson Kylie Garrett Diane Lee-Davie

16 Relationships: Timeless friendship outside the hair salon 20 Age of Reason: Devotees of the performing arts 23 Pink Ribbon Day 2014: 16-page feature

Photographers Shepparton News photography department

39 Careers: Women designing a career in fashion industry

Digital editor Lance Simpson

Published by Shepparton News PO Box 204, Shepparton, Victoria 3632 (03) 5820 3183 magazines@sheppnews.com.au www.mmg.com.au

Profile: Vivien Hall’s inspiring 60kg weight loss

11 Feature: Wildlife protectors

Graphic designer Teresa Lagozzino

Sales manager Jamie Gilbert 5820 3184 jamie.gilbert@sheppnews.com.au

Contents

Health: 45 Education to fight fatigue

20 Encore!

46 Embrace the good stress

Why we love the performing arts 48 Angel Gowns: A special gift to honour stillborn babies 49 Fitness: Meet three of Shepparton’s Dirty Fighters 54 Young leaders look to the future 56 Beauty: Surviving acne 58 Travel: Global travel adventures 62 Technology and book reviews

| OCTOBER 2014

Have you been touched by breast cancer?

54 Young

I have fond memories of my uncle Jim — a Gippsland beef farmer, devout fisherman, musician and teller of a great bush yarn.

leaders are building a new generation

He had an infectious zest for life and knowledge. He had an avid interest in who people were, where they came from, and what made them tick. And he was a gentleman. He rang me some weeks before he died to say thank you for a letter I had written months earlier during his chemotherapy treatment. I felt honoured to have received the call, and yet he said the honour was all his. My uncle was among the 110 men diagnosed with breast cancer each year. The statistics of diagnosis are of course alarmingly higher for females — every day 42 Australian women are told they have breast cancer. Thankfully, earlier detection through regular mammograms and improved treatment outcomes has seen improvements in survival rates.

Globetrotter Glenda Haigh and her stunning wildlife photography

Hopefully more research will continue to improve outcomes for the multitudes of women and minority of men struck with the disease.

OUR

HOME

100% women only

A FAMILY IS BORN

Is night screen time hurting your health?

AGE OF REASON Why we volunteer

Plus ion

Fash ship Relation ing Wellbe Beauty

ISSUE 13. AUTUMN/WINTER 2014

Tile features to impress

Wake-up call

More than 700 people — mostly women — will create a sea of pink at Shepparton’s Eastbank Centre during the fundraising event for the National Breast Cancer Foundation. But whether you will be among the brunchers or not, I urge you to read our special 16–page Pink Ribbon feature (pages 23 to 38) for the inspiring stories from breast cancer survivors. They remind us that breast cancer can happen to anyone and that we can’t afford to be complacent with our health. But there are also many more profiles and musings of women of all ages in this issue. From an amazing weight-loss journey to protectors of wildlife and a beautiful friendship that has grown outside the salon walls for a hairdresser and her elderly client.

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SURROGATE MUM’S SPECIAL GIFT

Pink Ribbon Day events like the News’ annual Pink Ribbon Brunch on Sunday, October 26 are vital to increasing awareness while raising funds for research into combating breast cancer.

View all your favourite local magazines online

Issue 5 • May 2014

Once again, the Goulburn Valley community has rallied to support the cause with the generosity of patrons and sponsors of the event and tickets selling out within two hours of going on sale.

Gorgeous gardens

>> HISTORIC HOMESTEAD INSPIRES DESIGN >> NATIVES NURTURED OVER A LIFETIME

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FOR INTERIORS

Emma O’Keeffe Determined to be the world’s best

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HOW TO SNAP YOUR IDEAL PHOTOGRAPHER

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>> PIECE OF PARADISE A WORK OF ART

MORE PROFILES: SHOW SKIER SCALES GREAT HEIGHTS • BLOGGER BOUND FOR BIG APPLE MAY 2014 |

KITCHEN TEA IDEAS

Simply go to www.sheppnews.com.au and look for the magazines link and start reading today.

Grab a cuppa, find a warm sunny spot — and enjoy! — Corinna Boldiston Editor

>> RURAL RENOVATION

GOULBURN AND MURRAY VALLEYS BRIDE & GROOM

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Profile

Story: Alexandra Bathman Main photography: Julie Mercer

Vivien Hall dropped eight dress sizes by embracing a healthier lifestyle. (Inset) Vivien and son Elijah before shedding 60â&#x20AC;&#x2030;kg. 6

| OCTOBER 2014

“I lost 60 kilos” Vivien Hall is half the size she was two years ago. And that smile on her face cannot be moved. But Vivien herself cannot stop moving since she lost 60 kg and eight dress sizes. With her incredible weight loss, Vivien has gained so much more energy and enthusiasm for everyday life. Every day she wakes up at 5 am to go to the gym for an hour before getting her two children ready for school and then going to work in her job in hospitality. “My original goal was 100 kilos. I hover between the 65 to 68 kilos but I’ve said no more and I’ve chucked my scales away,” Vivien, 27, said. The decision to throw away the scales came from Vivien’s realisation that health is more important than a number on the scales. “I feel so good and it’s amazing.” But she never used to feel this amazing, after living on a diet where two litre bottles of soft drink replaced water. “I would eat anything and everything and large portion sizes. I would go through a loaf of bread a day,” Vivien said. “I wasn’t well educated on food and I was brought up told to eat until everything on my plate was gone — not until I was full. It was just eat, eat and eat and food was what brought people together.” At 18, Vivien fell pregnant with her son Elijah but the joys of pregnancy were not felt after she went from 80 kg to 140 kg. “It wasn’t good being so young and so big — it was a really bad pregnancy,” she said. “After I had my son I dropped down to 105 kilos. But when I was 22 I got pregnant with my daughter Aylah and I shot back up again,” Vivien said. “I think with many people who are overweight, there is just a mentality that you just don’t care and that was me. But I had a wakeup call.” In August 2012, Vivien weighed 125 kg and visited her doctor for a check-up as she and her partner Ben were contemplating having another child. >>> OCTOBER 2014 |

Before

Now

Before

Now

Vivien was diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), a disorder which affects a woman’s hormones and fertility.

out. I tell people my car is a V8 and I put the best fuel in it. It costs a bit more but it gives me better performance.

“The doctor basically told me, ‘You’re too fat to have babies’. It was a slap in the face to wake the hell up,” Vivien said.

“People say they don’t have time but it’s a cop out. You have time you just need to make it. Fit your fitness in like you fit a shower in.”

Vivien joined a gym the very next day and cleaned up her unhealthy diet. “It was very daunting going on my own but I sucked it up. I never had a personal trainer or a nutritionist and I still don’t — I just had myself,” Vivien said. “At the back of everyone’s mind, you know what to cut out — just all the bad stuff and all the sugar.” The first 15 kg melted away which gave Vivien the motivation to strive for double digits and hit 90 kg. “But I plateaued,” Vivien said. Weight loss stalled for two months before Vivien reached out to Australian weight loss and fitness expert Michelle Bridges and “upped the ante”. She used nutritional guides to educate herself about food and mindset videos to motivate her to exercise six times a week instead of three. “In 12 weeks I got down to 84 kilos. It’s calories in versus calories 8

| OCTOBER 2014

“

At the back of everyone’s mind, you know what to cut out — just all the bad stuff and all the sugar.

“

“The doctor asked me if I wanted a script for a weight loss drug but I said, ‘No, if I want to do this, I want to do it on my own’.”

Vivien can recall every date for each weight loss milestone. “I got to 75 kilos on October 31, 2013,” Vivien said, still smiling. “So that’s one year and 14 months to lose 50 kilos — I’m a normalsized person now. To be able to walk into a shop and wear just about anything — mate, it’s the best feeling in the world.” Vivien’s tip to others is to make healthier choices and to be constant. “The most important thing is to eat. People try and starve themselves but I eat six meals a day. I eat all the time — you have to! Eat real food and your body will do the rest.” Is another child still on the radar? “No more kids — I’m content. I’ve got my boy and I’ve got my girl. I think because I was always a big girl I’ve now got a new lease on life.” n

Above: Vivien Hall and Ben Florence with Elijah, 7, and Aylah, 4. Picture: Melinda Cirillo Photography

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Wildlife

PROTECTORS Caring for and nurturing animals has been an enriching and lifelong journey for two Goulburn Valley women. Kirsty Ramadan (pictured) from Bunbartha has rescued native wildlife for 20 years and Invergordon resident Rosemarie McCarroll is about to embark on a joint venture with Zoos Victoria to protect the endangered eastern barred bandicoot. Kirsty and Rosemarie detail the paths they have taken to pursue their passions, some of the challenges they have faced along the way and their overwhelming love of animals.

Photography: Ray Sizer OCTOBER 2014 |

wildlife PROTECTORS Story: Sharon Wright Photography: Beate Sexton

ZOO ENLISTS AID OF

maremma guardian dogs The eastern barred bandicoot is a rabbit-sized marsupial which is extinct in the wild of mainland Australia and found in small numbers in Tasmania. Invergordon dog breeder Rosemarie McCarroll is assisting Zoos Victoria’s endeavours to reintroduce the endangered species in the state’s south. Rosemarie McCarroll knows there is a fine line between carefully nurturing each puppy she breeds without lavishing too much love; thus leaving them unable to carry out the role they are trained for. Her puppies are maremma guardian dogs which are bred almost exclusively to guard animals such as sheep and goats. And now Zoos Victoria has enlisted Rosemarie’s assistance to protect the eastern barred bandicoot, a marsupial which is extinct on mainland Australia. Maremma puppies will be socialised with bandicoots and other animals which share their habitat during a two-year training period. Their job will be to guard the trial breeding sites warding off foxes, feral cats and other predators. Rosemarie has had maremmas on her property since the early 1980s and was one of the first to import animals from overseas, a lengthy process which used to take seven months. Frustrated with losing goat kids to foxes she initially learned about the dogs while attending a meeting of angora goat breeders. “I had read about guardian dogs being used successfully interstate so I came home from that meeting with my first pup, Bianca,” Rosemarie said. What started out as an idea to protect the animals on her small landholding eventually grew to become a business, Lurgenglare Kennels, with imported dogs of unrelated bloodlines producing puppies which are now in every Australian state and New Zealand 12

| OCTOBER 2014

protecting poultry, sheep, goats, cattle and alpacas. “I love the breed; I love their independence and intelligence. maremmas are self-reliant, they don’t need entertaining,” Rosemarie said. They work by living with the animals they are guarding, marking and patrolling their territory and barking at unusual scents. “The dogs are fairly lazy during the day, you will see them sitting around in the paddock. But when they smell an unusual scent they bark and the flock goes to them,” Rosemarie said. The process of bonding puppies with animals begins from about six weeks of age. “I don’t consider myself a dog trainer, instead I like to think I’m guiding them on a learning experience,” Rosemarie said. Puppies are placed in small pens with one or two animals and Rosemarie spends hours observing their behaviour and showing them right from wrong. “They are like children really; the puppies have their own ideas. They have their adolescent phase where they play and chase the animals, pull their tails and nip at their hocks. That’s when I have to step in, they can’t harm the animals they are protecting,” Rosemarie said. “It’s a real balancing act, I don’t want the puppies to be fearful of people but I don’t want to give them so much love they rely on people and neglect their role.” Rosemarie was first approached by Zoos Victoria several months ago

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Rosemarie McCarroll spends lengthy periods of time observing her maremma puppies to ensure they bond with the animals they will protect. She is pictured with Lissa.

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This maremma has bonded with the sheep and spends time patrolling its territory and barking to ward off predators.

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The small eastern barred bandicoot is extinct in the wild of mainland Australia. It is hoped maremma dogs can protect the marsupials’ trial breeding sites. Picture: Zoos Victoria

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Zoos Victoria wildlife conservation officer Ben Sanders said he was optimistic Rosemarie’s puppies could help revive the numbers of bandicoots in their natural environments. The puppies will bond with the bandicoots at Werribee Open Range Zoo in readiness for their work at several trial sites starting in 2017.

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wildlife PROTECTORS Story: Sharon Wright Photography: Ray Sizer

A lifetime of love

FOR ANIMALS Wildlife-rescuer Kirsty Ramadan is on-call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. When a distress call comes Kirsty acts – even a scheduled interview with ME was put on hold when she rushed off to rescue an injured pelican near Torrumbarry. Fortunately Kirsty was able to find time to share her remarkable adventures from 20 years of rescuing and rehabilitating injured birds and animals. From the time she was a young girl growing up on a Bunbartha farm Kirsty Ramadan had a natural affinity with animals and birds.

Adult birds are released in the areas they were rescued from while juvenile birds and animals are released locally so they can be supported and fed by Kirsty.

The Goulburn River and nearby Loch Garry were her backyard and Kirsty spent her formative years horse-riding, enjoying the natural environment.

She is a single parent to twin sons Beau and Daniel, 9, and daughter Jessi, 2, and funds the $20 000 cost of running the shelter out of her own pocket.

She recalls regularly getting in to trouble for bringing home injured birds and turning her parents’ property into a makeshift veterinary clinic as she endeavoured to nurse them back to health.

“It’s a real juggle. There are days when we have plans which have to be changed at the last minute because a call comes to rescue an animal or bird,” Kirsty said.

Academically minded at school Kirsty toyed with the idea of studying veterinary science, law and journalism but circumstances led her to take a different path; one she says has not been nearly as financially lucrative but infinitely more rewarding.

She can end up on wild goose chases in the dark, wading into creeks in the middle of winter or searching for injured animals in areas where there is no mobile phone reception.

“I’ve always had a real empathy for animals, probably because they don’t have a voice. From a young age it really bothered me that animals weren’t always treated well,” Kirsty said. She will come to the rescue of any animal in need but it’s her feathered friends — the birds — which are her passion. “Birds have always fascinated me. There is such diversity, from tiny little ones to huge wedge-tailed eagles. I think I love the freedom they enjoy, I can’t describe the feeling they must have to be released and fly away,” Kirsty said. An injured pelican was in residence in the bathroom when ME visited, and sheltered cages housed a collection of raptors including peregrine falcons.

“Rescuing animals does interrupt our lives and I am a volunteer so I don’t have to go; but once I know there is an animal in trouble I couldn’t just leave it.” Kirsty’s wildlife rescuing role has taken her on a steep learning curve. “When I started there was no internet and very few books. There was plenty of trial and error,” Kirsty said. Moama vet Doug Black, who is an avian specialist, taught Kirsty how to pin wings and set fractures. “It’s challenging, there are so many different injuries. Often I come across something I haven’t seen before. I wonder can I fix it, how will I fix it? I’m forced to use my initiative,” Kirsty said. “The ultimate goal is to heal the animals and birds so they can be

| OCTOBER 2014

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Kirsty has partnered with her friend Deb Fowler at Kotupna to register BoHollow Wildlife Shelter Inc. as a not-for-profit charity. They have a Facebook page which follows the survival stories of the animals and birds in their care.

released. But the reality is only about 50 per cent of them make it. “The birds have to be in optimum health when we release them, they are birds of prey and they must make a successful hunt in the first few days of release or they won’t survive.” Kirsty has up to 100 birds and animals in care at any one time at her BoHollow Wildlife Shelter. Hours are devoted each day to feeding, cleaning cages and providing care.

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But there are rewards. “Releasing birds and watching them fly away is amazing. I’m sure some of them actually put their wing up and gesture at me as they take off because they associate me with the pain of some of their procedures,” Kirsty said. “But others know that I’m caring for them, I can see it in their eyes.”

shop 221 Fashion for all ages. Womens sizes 8-24 221 Maude St, Shepparton. Ph: (03) 5821 2161 Photo: Alicia Niglia

OCTOBER 2014 |

Relationships

Interview: Alexandra Bathman Photography: Ray Sizer

Beautiful

FRIENDSHIP Every week at the same time, Marge Mckenzie has her hair done by hairdresser Cassandra Jerome. The 91-year-old has been loyal to Cassandra (or Cass as she likes to call her) for more than 25 years, but not just because of her hairdressing skills. The women developed a rare friendship outside the salon walls, adding extra colour to each other’s lives and proving age is just a number.

Marge, Mooroopna: I met Cass when she was a 15–year-old apprentice hairdresser. Judy, who was my hairdresser at the time, asked me if I would mind if Cass blow waved my hair and I said of course not. I was intrigued by this beautiful young girl and asked her, “What do you do on the weekends Cass?” She said, “Every weekend I go to Myrtleford to spend it with my grandmother.” I was in my ’70s back then and I thought — gosh there aren’t many young girls who would give up their weekends to spend it with their grandparents.

You would think being an ordinary blow wave it would be simple, but there is no way anyone can do it the way Cass does it. Everyone knows when Cass hasn’t done my hair. I don’t know how but when I get home from the salon after having my hair done by someone other than Cass because she was away; my son has said straightaway, “Oh, Cass is away.” I also have two daughters and many grandchildren and even a few great-grandchildren. They all love Cass and I consider her as part of the family. My great-grandson is only six and he has said to me with enthusiasm, “Are we going to Cassi’s today?”

She was so gentle and lovely and we just clicked.

My husband died more than 60 years ago.

Today, I know her so well.

I raised my family on my own and never remarried.

We go out for coffee, the pictures and Cass has taken me to really nice restaurants.

Back in those days you never spoke about your personal woes but I’ve been able to confide in Cass.

I would think there are not many young women who would want to take a 91–year–old out to the pictures but we have a good old giggle.

I’ve told her things I haven’t told anyone else before.

Every week I get an ordinary blow wave, and I’m a fanatic — I know my hair.

She will go out of her way to do things for me and I just love her so much.

| OCTOBER 2014

Even after all these years I’ve known her she still makes me feel very special.

OCTOBER 2014 |

Cassandra, Shepparton: I still call Marge ‘Mrs Mckenzie’. After all these years it just comes out. I remember she won me over when she told me she used to work in Myer in the women’s department. That was a very big deal for a teenage girl 25 years ago. Mrs McKenzie always wore her heels and had a great sense of fashion. I was so nervous as an apprentice. It was a nightmare. My boss Judy was patient with me because I wasn’t very good at first. But Mrs Mckenzie would give me a wink and hold my hand and tell me everything was all right. Our catch-ups outside the salon started when Judy and I decided to invite Mrs Mckenzie to one of our birthdays. It then just became a regular thing. Mrs Mckenzie and I started to go out for lunch or dinner with a nice glass of wine. I obviously see Mrs Mckenize every week in the salon, but her blow wave doesn’t give us nearly enough time to chat. I was very close to my grandmother but she passed away many years ago. I would say Mrs Mckenzie is like my grandmother. We just connect and have a lot in common. It’s gotten to the point where I will be invited to Mrs Mckenzie’s family events. Her family are so welcoming and they will give me a hug and say, “G’day Cass”. I love how at 91, Mrs Mckenzie still loves fashion and takes it quite seriously. Once we were at Waranga Basin and she was wearing red sparkly shoes and a young girl walked by and said, “Where did you get your Dorothy shoes from?” I’m sure the girl meant no harm but Mrs Mckenzie was so embarrassed she threw the shoes in the bin. Even though Mrs Mckenzie and I are at different ages and stages of our lives, we’ve gone through many things in our lives that are very similar. I’ve told her things I haven’t told any of my close girlfriends, and then one day Mrs Mckenzie sat me down and shared something with me. That was really special — I just thought, “Wow”. Mrs Mckenzie grew up in an era where people would not tell a soul their problems yet she trusted me. She is very special to me and even today she will still hold my hand. n

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OCTOBER 2014 |

AGE

OF REASON There is nothing quite like the performing arts to touch, inspire and unite audiences from all walks of life. Five talented women share their passion and lessons learned through their artistic journeys.

CLAIRE YOUNG, 25 Singer and choir conductor Generation Y 1981 — 1989 I love the storytelling, the freedom of singing “in the moment”, and the sense of community you feel when creating music with people, whether it’s a choir, band or cast. First and foremost, the performing arts is an avenue for magnificent friendships. My involvement in drama and music has developed my confidence, team skills and the discipline to practice. The elation I feel after a performance reminds me of the amazing things I can achieve when I set a goal, work really hard and make a few sacrifices. And you get to laugh. A lot.

“

I grew up watching Mary Poppins and the Sound of Music.

When I was in Year 12 I sang with the Australian Girls Choir in Los Angeles. We sang I Still Call Australia Home with Hugh Jackman at a gala dinner. Looking back I can’t remember if I actually sang or if I stood with my mouth gaping open because I was feeling so proud to be Australian and have the opportunity to do something that I absolutely love — and because it was Hugh Jackman! When I was studying music theatre, my classmate passed away suddenly and my class wrote a song to perform in her memory at the end of the year. It was a very special moment that I’ll never forget. Music can be incredibly healing. The best advice I have been given is to be true to yourself, work hard, remember why you wanted to pursue a career in the arts — and get a stable day job. Plus always keep a pen handy.

Goulburn Valley Concert Orchestra founder and director Baby Boomers 1946 — 1964

“

My enjoyment of orchestral music grew from attending music camps and playing in youth, community, amateur and professional orchestras while studying music. I love the diversity of repertoire, contrasting instrumental timbres and vastness of sound available in an orchestra. From music I have learned patience, persistence, resilience and reward for hard work. My belief that music can be shared, performed and enjoyed by people from varied cultures, backgrounds, professions, ages and capabilities has been proven. Consistent direction, ongoing support from committee, family, community and talented, dedicated musicians have enabled longevity for Goulburn Valley Concert Orchestra. Memorable moments would include the opening of WestSide PAC concert, a music camp in Howqua, combined performances with numerous Melbourne orchestras, workshops with Orchestra Victoria under professional conductors Benjamin Northy and Mark Shiell, Home is where the Hall Is tour, and attending Ballarat’s inaugural Regional Orchestras Weekend. Personally, my most memorable moment would have to be receiving an Individual Regional Award from The Orchestras of Australia Network (TOAN) in 2004 for my work with GVCO. I don’t particularly remember receiving advice relating to orchestra music but I love this recently heard quote: “If everyone learned to play the ukulele we wouldn’t have wars.”

| OCTOBER 2014

Violin is my specialist instrument but I also play and teach other members of the string family.

“

WENDY OAKES, 55

JOYCE BAKER-DAWBER, 72 Georgy Award president and Shepparton Theatre Arts Group vice-president The Silent Generation 1925 — 1945 I have an enormous love and passion for amateur theatre but perhaps the most important of all are the amazing people that you connect with. Meeting incredible people from all walks of life who wish to experience the wonders of theatrical performance or production is indeed a privilege. When you are involved in amateur theatre the most important qualities required are creative ideas, tolerance, compassion and respect. A sense of humour and enthusiasm are also important.

Initial Stages youth theatre company director Generation X 1965 — 1981 Performing arts has been part of my life since birth. I remember my father (Ted Malloy) shining his shoes near the fireplace on his way out the door to full dress rehearsal of STAG’s The Boyfriend in 1977. I was five years old and was fascinated at the rehearsal by aspects like where the sets went and what the actors did when they moved off stage. I had no hope, I was hooked. My students’ desire to give their best performance is humbling. You can’t predict what a student is getting from a production. Sometimes the quiet ones are those who have gained the most. This took me a while to learn because I assumed they were not enjoying themselves. My favourite moment was when a student with Down syndrome had a line in a show. He rehearsed so incredibly hard and delivered that line in perfect time. I smiled for days after that. The best advice I have been given was from my father. Dad told me: “Darling, always leave the audience wanting more.” This is a challenge for performers because there is no adrenalin rush like the applause. I limit curtain calls and performances and teach students to move on to the next show. They are cast in roles appropriate to them, not according to whether they have had leads before. It’s a bit of tough love, but I’m hoping they look back and see why.

“

I don’t know why we are called The Silent Generation – I’m certainly not quiet!

MEG DAVIES, 17 Musical theatre performer Generation Z 1990 — now What I love about musical theatre is the opportunity to portray a character so different from yourself and to be able to captivate an audience. It is so rewarding when you know they are enjoying your performance. I have learned from musical theatre that there are highs and lows in all aspects of life; the lows can be a great learning opportunity that can make you even more determined to achieve your goals. I have two most memorable moments. Winning my first Georgy Award at the age of 11 for playing the role of Tinkerbell in Peter Pan; and having to improvise my lines in a scene of Chicago on opening night because a fellow cast member fainted on stage. The best advice I have been given is that in life you will come across people who will try to bring you down. But you just need to block out that negativity and keep pushing forward and realise that they are a minority and the majority want you to succeed. The most important thing is that you have faith in your own abilities and that you always have the love and support of family and friends.

“

My childhood day carer Julie Raven always comes to my performances and bought me my Tinkerbell figurine as a gift after my performance in Peter Pan. It was so exciting to win the Georgy Award.

“

HELEN JANKE, 42

The advice given to me over many years has been to enjoy the experiences of performing and directing, and to be accepting of new ideas bringing enjoyment to audiences.

“

The performing arts are addictive. I never tire of watching a show develop from a script to a full-scale production.

My most memorable moments include receiving the Music Theatre Guild of Victoria award for outstanding contribution to amateur theatre and in 2011 the Australia Day Senior Citizen Award. Also the opportunity to perform with my two nieces, and most recently directing the STAG production of My Fair Lady.

OCTOBER 2014 |

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Pink Ribbon Day 2014 Riding the rollercoaster Every day 42 Australian women learn they have breast cancer and seven others die from the disease. However, early detection and improved treatments have led to an 89 per cent chance of survival five years after diagnosis. Nicole Sleeth (pictured) is among the many Goulburn Valley women who have ridden the mental and physical rollercoaster ride of breast cancer. “I have a second chance at life,” she says. See Nicole’s story (page 28) plus other stories of hope and awareness in this special 16-page feature.

Pink Ribbon Brunch

OCTOBER 2014 |

Pink Ribbon Day 2014

It can take a team of highly trained professionals to evaluate something this small.

This is how small a breast abnormality can be - sometimes even smaller. Fortunately the vast majority are harmless. But it’s critical to be able to identify breast abnormalities which are potentially fatal. That’s where Goulburn Valley Imaging Group comes in. With a team of dedicated professionals including radiologists, nurses, technicians and administrative staff, GV Imaging Group is Shepparton’s only fully accredited Breast Imaging facility. The technology at their disposal represents the leading edge of medical science. It includes ultrasound, CT scans, plain films, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and nuclear medicine. And of course, Mammography. GV Imaging Group have a MicroDose Mammography Unit which maximises the image quality, picking up abnormalities much earlier and uses only half the dose of radiation compared to other systems. It is predicted 1 in 9 Australian women develop Breast Cancer at some stage of their lives so it is better to be proactive and Mammograms and Ultrasounds are simple tests. GV Imaging Group also recommends that every woman should conduct a monthly breast self examination. If even the slightest lump or change (dimpling or discharge) is noticed, consult your doctor. That’s because it’s often the small things that really matter.

Goulburn Valley Imaging 104 Nixon St, Shepparton, VIC 3630 Ph: 1300 797 484 Echuca Radiology Inside Echuca Regional Health, Francis St, Echuca, VIC 3564 enter via Service St Ph: 03 5485 5900 24

| OCTOBER 2014

www.gvig.com.au

Pink Ribbon Day 2014

BRUNCH SELLS OUT IN HOURS

The eighth annual Shepparton News Pink Ribbon Brunch sold out in less than two hours when tickets went on sale in September. More than 730 women will gather for a morning of fun and laughter while raising awareness of breast cancer and funds for research.

Shepparton News Pink Ribbon Brunch co-ordinator Karen Gill said the brunch had grown substantially from the first event, attended by 70 people in Friars Café in 2007. The brunch has outgrown other venues including the GV Hotel and McIntosh Centre at the Shepparton Showgrounds; hence the move to Eastbank four years ago.

Denise Drysdale

with her zany personality and humour as the event’s MC. Deborah De Williams is the guest speaker and will share her inspirational story of her breast cancer battle. The 2011 Tasmanian of the Year established the Running Pink foundation following her 2006 diagnosis and has since completed a marathon run around Australia raising $200 000 for NBCF in the process. A powerful PowerPoint presentation will outline Deborah’s story and promises to make brunch guests laugh and cry. Musical interludes will be provided by the talented Nicky Pummeroy, who recently delighted audiences with her portrayal of Eliza Doolittle in Shepparton Theatre Arts Groups’ production of My Fair Lady.

The National Breast Cancer Foundation and the women it assists has been the beneficiary, with proceeds from the previous seven events totalling $190 860. Dual Gold Logie-winning television personality and comedian Denise Drysdale will bring laughter to this year’s gathering

The Pink Ribbon Brunch will be held at the Eastbank Centre on Sunday, October 26, from 10 am to 1 pm (with doors opening at 9.15 am). >>>

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Pink Ribbon Day 2014

Guests will receive a complimentary glass of sparkling wine and will be able to take home a pink-stemmed champagne flute generously donated by Shepparton Showcase Jewellers.

including jewellery, vouchers, giftware, home wares and a cake made and decorated by Shepparton’s Di Davey. All prizes have been generously donated by local businesses.

A treasure-trove of items — including products from event patron Pental Soaps — have been included in the hundreds of goodie bags to be given out on the day.

There will be a silent auction where participants can bid for three excellent prizes; a pink freshwater pearl necklet donated by Purdeys Jewellers, return flights for two people and accommodation for two nights in Adelaide courtesy of Shepparton Travel and Cruise and a fully-catered lunch or dinner for 10 including house wine, tap beer and soft drinks at the Sherbourne Terrace.

Guests will be able to capture the memories of the day on film by jumping into the two Happy Snaps photo booths, complete with funny props, and savour home-made delights from the Soroptomist women. They will also be able to purchase raffle tickets for an assortment of quality prizes

NBCF pink ribbon merchandise will also be available for sale.

“

Pink Ribbon Day raises awareness of the importance of breast screening and early detection and the need for funding to continue the much-needed research.

Member for Shepparton District 5 Vaughan Street, Shepparton, 3630 Phone: (03) 5831 6944 Fax: (03) 5831 6836 Email: jeanette.powell@parliament.vic.gov.au 26

| OCTOBER 2014

“

Jeanette Powell MP

The event’s main patrons include Shepparton News, Coles (donating all food and non-alcoholic beverages), Pental Soaps, Shepparton Showcase Jewellers and Pandora, Goulburn Valley Imaging Group, Eastbank Food, the Peter and Maria Copulos Foundation, Medicare Local, MB+M Accounting and major sponsor Griffiths Goodall Insurance. Those not attending the brunch but who still wish to make a contribution can make donations to NBCF at the Shepparton News offices on Melbourne Rd. Following the brunch the fun will continue at The Aussie Hotel where brunch guests will receive a free glass of sparkling wine. Families and friends are welcome to join the fun.

Pink Ribbon Day 2014

Imaging support for brunch

Coles’ tasty contribution

Sponsorship a natural step

Goulburn Valley Imaging Group has been a patron of the Pink Ribbon Brunch since its inception in 2007.

Coles’ Shepparton Riverside Plaza store has supplied most of the food and non-alcoholic beverages for the Pink Ribbon Brunch for the past couple of years.

It was a natural step for accounting firm MB+M to become a patron of the Pink Ribbon Brunch.

Consultant radiologist Prue Neerhut said the group was proud to be involved with an event that raised awareness of breast cancer and supported research. Dr Neerhut said the majority of Goulburn Valley women requiring breast imaging came through their doors either for a diagnostic mammogram or as part of the BreastScreen program. “Less than 70 per cent of women eligible for BreastScreen actually participate.” She said continuing to raise awareness of breast cancer and encouraging women to check their breasts for changes was vital. The group, which has numerous sites in northern Victoria, has recently taken delivery of the latest in mammography technology, a breast tomosynthesis machine. The machine, which has increased sensitivity and is able to pick-up a greater number of abnormalities, is at 104 Nixon St, Shepparton.

E st .

Store manager Marc Spillman said he and his staff were proud to make the important contribution to the event, which raised substantial funds for National Breast Cancer Foundation. Gastronomic delights, including croissants and Danish pastries, gourmet tarts, fritattas and fruit platters, will be served at the event. The quality of the brunch menu is always remarked upon by guests. Marc said it appealed to Coles to support an event that promoted the health and wellbeing of women, given that the majority of its customers were female. “Supporting breast cancer research is a great cause, we’re very happy to support it,” he said. As well as donating the food, a number of Coles’ staff members have bought tickets and will attend the brunch as guests.

Chief executive Rebecca Woolstencroft said for a long time the company had supported Shepparton’s Biggest Ever Blokes Lunch, and this year it was decided to reciprocate that support to a female cause. MB+M gave $5000 to the Pink Ribbon Brunch in sponsorship. “We employ a significant amount of women and breast cancer awareness and support is a cause which resonates with a lot of people here,” Rebecca said. Rebecca said as accountants and financial advisers, the staff at the firm had seen the impact that cancer has on people in a day-today aspect, but also financially. “It is extraordinarily stressful as the cost of medication and treatment is expensive, even if you have private health insurance,” she said. Rebecca said any major life event could have a big impact on people’s lives, and it was important to have the right planning in place.

Celebrating 60 Years

1954

Pink Ribbon Brunch OCTOBER 2014 |

Pink Ribbon Day 2014 Story: Rhiannon Gavalakis Photography: Ray Sizer Tatura’s Nicole Sleeth said breast cancer was an interesting and difficult journey, but it is an experience that has reminded her of the important things in life, and one she would not change.

Mental battle just as tough

Life has its ups and downs, but breast cancer was a rollercoaster ride Nicole Sleeth never expected to go on. At 41 and with no family history of the disease, cancer was the last thing on her mind, but in January 2012, a visit to the doctor changed that. “I had a breast check and my doctor said, ‘Your breasts are quite dense’ — meaning they were lumpy,” Nicole, 44, said. “I was told to keep an eye on them, so I did for the next couple of months, but then I forgot about it.” It was August when she was lying in bed and noticed a large lump in her left breast.

“My family were always supportive of whatever decision I made, but it was the doubt from other people that I decided I could not handle,” she said. “The questions like, ‘Why would you do something like that, it’s not going to cure you?’ ” Nicole said radiotherapy was a personal challenge for her and because the lump sat directly above her heart, part of her heart and lungs were also radiated. “I wanted to know how much of my heart and lungs were being radiated,” she said.

“I said to my husband, ‘That hasn’t been there before’, ” Nicole said.

“It was about 1.5 cm of my heart, so considering the heart isn’t that big, that is a hell of a lot.

“I thought, ‘Oh well, that’s breast cancer,’ then I just rolled over and went to sleep.”

“Although no-one in the medical profession seemed fussed about it, I thought, ‘Hang on, this is my heart, and I’ve only got one.’ ”

Nicole went to her doctor and was sent for an ultrasound and biopsy, but said she felt blasé about what was happening.

She said the decision to go ahead with radiotherapy was one she had to remake every day she went to the hospital and that down the line she needed to be more aware of heart disease as a result.

“When the results came back, I walked into his office and said, ‘So am I the one, or the nine?’ “He said, ‘No, you’re the one.’ “After hearing the news I just thought, ‘Oh that sucks, but stuff happens, I better get on with it.’ ” Just like a tumultuous theme park ride, Nicole said everything that came after that happened at a rapid pace. Two weeks after her diagnosis she was in surgery. “It was pretty quick, you don’t get a lot of time to think about your options,” she said. “I had a lumpectomy to remove a lump that was the size of an olive; that was followed by 15 rounds of chemotherapy and six weeks of radiation.” Nicole said she looked at alternative medicine and found a lot of good research that concluded mega doses of vitamin C killed cancer. However, she said mentally she was not strong enough to deal with questions of why she was choosing a non-conventional treatment. 28

| OCTOBER 2014

Nicole said the option of a mastectomy was never discussed, but in hindsight she would have liked to have known more about it, which may have meant radiotherapy, was not required.

“

“When I was getting my biopsy, the doctor said to me, ‘You have a one in nine chance of it being breast cancer’, “ she said.

It was pretty quick, you don’t get a lot of time to think about your options.

“That might have been something I would’ve thought about had I realised what was going to go on down the track,” she said. “But you don’t know those things and these are sometimes the things you find out afterwards.” The rollercoaster ride also brought Nicole’s busy life, as a mother and Vision Australia support worker, to a grinding halt. “I used to be a flat-out person and then life stopped,” she said. “I tried to work all through chemotherapy when I could, some days I couldn’t, but I was lucky enough to have great support.” Nicole said she suffered from “chemo brain” and would quite often be in the middle of a task, then completely forget what she was doing.

Pink Ribbon Day 2014

“

Nicole’s tips I remember saying to my husband, ‘We’ve got nothing to complain about,’ I always considered myself lucky.

Do not search breast cancer on the internet. Speak to your doctor instead and ask them to provide you with reliable websites and resources to look at. Take a family member or friend with you to important doctor’s appointments and get them to write down the information, so you are not overloaded and you don’t miss anything important. Consider practising a form of meditation to help balance your mind and clear your thoughts. Seek help and find someone to speak to if you are struggling with anxiety or depression. Family members also need support, so encourage them to seek help if needed.

“

She said throughout her journey she undertook Pranic healing — a form of meditation — that helped clear her mind. One of the hardest parts of the experience for Nicole was not the physical fight, but the mental battle. “It was like post-traumatic stress disorder, it hit me like a tonne of bricks; the depression and reality of what I had been through came to the surface after the treatment,” she said. “I would be really good one minute, and the next minute I would be angry, and I could feel the anger rise.

helped, to have someone to talk to was one of the big things.” She also joined a Facebook group, “Survivorship — the new normal,” and said it helped to speak with other local people in the same boat. Nicole said in her journey she had met women as young as 22 who were dealing with breast cancer. “Then you would see a two-year-old walk by with a drip in,” she said. “I remember saying to my husband, ‘We’ve got nothing to complain about,’ I always considered myself lucky.”

“When those depressing moments hit, they were huge. It was a difficult part of it, now it is okay, that is just part and parcel of it.”

Nicole’s family and close friends created a blog called Orange for Nicole, and every day she had chemotherapy, they wore something orange and posted a picture on the blog.

She said the knowledge of how low you could get would also let you know how much happier you could be — and it was all about riding the wave.

“I know my family and friends really love me because they put up with a lot, and I also know how strong I am to have gotten through this,” Nicole said.

“I know through the journey you have to hit rock bottom to get up to the top,” she said.

“I have a second chance at life and that makes you do look at things differently.

“I saw a great psychologist here in Shepparton and that really

“There is a reason why you live; you have to find that reason.” n

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Pink Ribbon Day 2014

One of the lucky ones I can’t remember when I first felt a small round lump under my arm. It wasn’t a real concern to me because I had lots of cysts under my arm and this was just another one. Those are the words Theresa Murray first wrote on March 31, 2006. Her cursive writing is in blue pen and looks rushed as each letter blends into the next — as though her thoughts were racing. Just three single pages, now torn from their source, hold the memory of when Theresa was diagnosed with advanced breast cancer. It began with a routine check-up on February 22, 2006, when Theresa’s doctor noted her left breast was thicker than her right and said the lump wasn’t a cyst but a lymph gland.

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In support of breast cancer research

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| OCTOBER 2014

Pink Ribbon Day 2014

Story: Alexandra Bathman Photography: Ray Sizer

A mammogram and ultrasound was recommended. I took the referral home and left it on my dresser for about a week. A teacher at St Luke’s Primary School, Theresa wrote that it was very busy at school and thought she would leave it until the school holidays.

During this time I became aware of an ache in my breast. She made an appointment for March 6 at 4 pm.

The girl who took the mammogram was not communicative. She did my right breast then left. I was asked to wait again then called back to have “that troublesome breast” looked at again. Theresa considered herself to be a normal and healthy 44–yearold woman, happily married to husband Ken with their three daughters: Jess, Karina and Georgia. She never thought of her left breast as “troublesome” before.

The radiographer did the right breast first, carefully and symmetrically all around. Then she started on the left breast — straightaway she started measuring dark shadows and clicking. I knew I was in trouble.

Thank you

FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT OF BREAST CANCER RESEARCH Shepparton Showcase Jewellers and PANDORA are deeply indebted to your generous contribution to this cause. Thank you for joining us today and helping us raise funds for Breast Cancer Research.

Each Moment is a Gift…

The doctor wanted to perform a biopsy but the nurse had gone home.

It was 5.15 pm. I came back the next day ... It was pretty scary ... Yet Theresa went to work as if it was any other day.

Not a good idea. I was a bit of mess and very scared ... After a while I was good and took my class. The kids were the best medicine. But the children’s medicine wore off when the doctor called and asked to see her that afternoon.

That was the start of this fast-track ride. I was out of control and in the hands of the medical people. I had a sick feeling in my stomach. Theresa was told she had four tumours in her breast and needed a mastectomy.

It was like they were talking to someone else and I was listening. However, every day 42 Australian women listen to their breast cancer diagnosis. Statistics also show nine out of 10 Australian women who get breast cancer don’t have a family history of the illness and neither did Theresa. “I’m proof that it can happen to anyone,” Theresa said. Theresa entered remission one year after her diagnosis and she decided to have her breast reconstructed five years ago. Today, Theresa looks bright, happy and confident. It’s hard to image her on what she has described as a bad day during her intense chemotherapy treatment and radiotherapy. “I know I was one of the lucky ones,” Theresa said. “No-one has ever said it to me directly but when I see my doctor I can tell he thinks it’s a miracle.” n

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OCTOBER 2014 |

Pink Ribbon Day 2014

Early detection IS VITAL It is not new information — but it could save your life, or that of someone you love. Early detection is key for improving breast cancer survival rate and October — Breast Cancer Awareness Month — is a timely reminder to be breast aware and to book in a routine mammogram. Goulburn Valley Health breast care nurse Allison Hartney said breast cancer was the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in Australia. “One in eight women develop breast cancer in their lifetime,” Allison said. “In 2014, it is predicted that 15 270 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in Australia. “Early detection can significantly improve breast cancer survival rates, so we encourage women to have regular check-ups and be proactive about their health.” Allison said Goulburn Valley Health had a dedicated team of breast care nurses as well as diagnostic, clinical and support services to collaboratively support those with cancer and their families.

“Treatment for breast cancer is available locally at Goulburn Valley Health. However, early detection is key to help ensure a better outcome,” she said. “The biggest risk factor for developing breast cancer is being a woman and age. The older we become as women, our risk of developing breast cancer increases.” She said BreastScreen Australia was a valuable early detection program targeted at women aged between 50 and 74 years of age. However, women aged between 40 and 49 are still at risk of breast cancer, and are welcome to have a free breast screening mammogram with BreastScreen Victoria every two years. “Screening mammograms can detect most breast cancers when they are very small, often before any signs or symptoms are noticed,” Allison said. BreastScreen Victoria health promotion manager Nikki McGrath said survival rate for breast cancer had improved, and currently stood at 89 per cent in Australia. “This is a result of early detection and improved treatment,” Nikki said.

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Pink Ribbon Day 2014 Story: Rhiannon Gavalakis Photography: Bianca Mibus

She said BreastScreen Victoria participation rates for Shepparton show that 56 per cent of women aged between 50 and 69 living in the area took advantage of the free service from 2011 to 2013, which was lower than the 70 per cent target, but higher than Victoria’s average of 54 per cent for the same time frame. “Regular mammograms are the best way to find breast cancer early, and this is when treatments are most likely to be successful,” she said. “It is a free service that takes 10 minutes and there is a clinic in Nixon St, Shepparton.” For more information on breast care services at Goulburn Valley Health, phone Allison Hartney on 0408 322 455 or Michelle Parish on 0400 569 828. To book a mammogram, phone BreastScreen Victoria on 132 050 or visit www.breastcreen. org.au To raise awareness of Breast Cancer, Goulburn Valley Health hosted a Breast Cancer Network Australia Mini-Field of Women event at Victoria Park Lake on Thursday, October 16. n

Goulburn Valley Health breast care nurses Michelle Parish and Allison Hartney.

Proud patrons of the Shepparton News Pink Ribbon Brunch OCTOBER 2014 |

Pink Ribbon Day 2014

Breast cancer awareness tips Did you know? •

Increasing age is one of the strongest risk factors for developing breast cancer. More than two in three cases of breast cancer occur in women aged between 40 and 69 years.

•

Australian women diagnosed with breast cancer have an 89 per cent chance of surviving five years after diagnosis.

•

Improvements in survival are attributed to earlier detection of breast cancer through regular mammograms and improved treatment outcomes for breast cancer.

•

On average, seven women die from breast cancer every day in Australia. Finding breast cancer early increases the chance of surviving the disease. Although rare, breast cancer can also affect men, accounting for about 1 per cent of cases. Around 110 men are diagnosed with breast cancer in Australia each year.

•

Changes in the skin of the breast, such as any puckering or dimpling of the skin, unusual redness or other colour change.

•

Changes in the size or shape of the breast.

•

Unusual or persistent pain that is not related to the normal monthly cycle and occurs only in one breast.

Tips for checking breasts •

Use a mirror to get to know the usual look and shape of your breasts.

•

Become familiar with the feel of your breasts at different times of the month. You might find this easiest in the shower or bath, lying in bed or getting dressed.

•

Feel all the breast tissue from the collarbone to below the bra line and under the armpit.

Early detection — signs to look for •

A lump, lumpiness or thickening of the breast.

•

A change in shape, crusting, a sore or ulcer, redness or inversion of the nipple.

— Source: All information accessed from National Breast Cancer

•

Discharge from the nipple that is blood stained, clear or occurs without squeezing.

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| OCTOBER 2014

Pink Ribbon Day 2014

Not horsing around Among the many breast cancer awareness events hosted throughout the Goulburn Valley this year was the 2014 NCHA Victorian Futurity women’s pink cutting competition. The event was held in Tatura on Saturday, September 13, with riders and horses donning the pink ribbon and matching attire for the cause. Right: Zannie Randall and her mount More than Reddy and Alice Dawson and her horse Lil Tanya’s Tiara got in the pink spirit for breast cancer awareness. Far right: Alice Dawson and her horse Lil Tanya’s Tiara select their beast.

Sea of pink at fun run

Competitors embraced the theme by dressing in various shades of pink to complete the 5km Pink Ribbon Run in August. Held as part of the Shepparton Running Festival, the run raised funds by collecting a portion of the participants’ registration fee for donation to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

Shepparton News marketing co-ordinator Lisa Kubeil said about 100 people of varying ages and fitness levels completed the event thus contributing to the $1200 tally. “Many of the participants were family members of people who have breast cancer or were running in memory of family members,” Lisa said. The $1200 will be added to the money raised at the Pink Ribbon Brunch and from donations to aid the NBCF’s research for the prevention of and a cure for breast cancer.

Kaye is proud to support

Pink Ribbon Day

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316 Wyndham Street (PO Box 1838) Shepparton Phone: (03) 5831 6521 Email: kaye.darveniza@parliament.vic.gov.au

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Pink Ribbon Day 2014

Group proves

invaluable

Barb Burr

| OCTOBER 2014

Pink Ribbon Day 2014 Story: Rhiannon Gavalakis Photography: Julie Mercer

Breast cancer survivor Barb Burr said attending her first cancer support group meeting in Shepparton was the best decision she ever made. “I nearly didn’t go to the support group, because I went over all of the insecurities in my head,” Barb said. “But I thought, ‘No, I am going to go to this meeting’ and it was the best thing that I ever did.” Barb, 68, was diagnosed with hormone-positive breast cancer in late 2007, after it was detected in a breast screen. Her treatment included radiotherapy and a lumpectomy.

“As a health professional, I can give ladies guidance and let them know the information,” Michelle said. “But to actually hear about things like side effects from another lady that has gone through a similar experience is so beneficial, because it is from someone who has walked the line, so to speak.” Michelle said the support group had a mixture of women, ranging from those who were just out of treatment, to women who were two to three years in remission, and those who had passed the five-year mark as well.

She said the camaraderie and friendships that were fostered within the support group were a wonderful help.

“It can be practical advice that is shared, whether it is side effects of treatment; as different people suffer different side effects,” she said.

“The information that you get often by talking to other people in the group, as well as the professional staff, is really good,” Barb said.

“Some have hot flushes for example and others in the group may be able to provide advice on what works for them and what doesn’t.”

“I have met some fabulous people and made some lovely friends.” Having passed the five-year-milestone, Barb said she was happy to share her experience if it could help others.

She said the informal meetings were confidential and also included guest speakers who presented on a range of topics, including side effects, such as lymphoedema.

“You are on this journey and you know so little about it, I always said, ‘Well it is never going to happen to me’ — but it did.”

Michelle also assists with breast cancer support groups in Cobram, Nagambie and Yarrawonga.

She said the support group also raised awareness in the community about the importance of breast checks. Barb also plays her own role in raising awareness, through wearing a pink item each day in October — Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Goulburn Valley Health McGrath Foundation breast care nurse Michelle Parish said breast cancer could be an isolating experience. Michelle said one of the main benefits of the support group was to connect with other women who were in the same shoes.

The Shepparton breast cancer support group meets on the fourth Thursday of the calendar month from 10.30 am to noon throughout February to November at Legacy house, Edward St, Shepparton. Cost is a gold coin donation. For more information on breast care services at GV Health and support groups, phone Michelle Parish on 0400 569 828 or Allison Hartney on 0408 322 455.

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For more information about Breast Care Services at GV Health, contact: Allison Hartney GV Health Breast Care Nurse 0408 322 455

Michelle Dunne GV Health McGrath Breast Care Nurse 0400 569 828

H E A LT H Wo r k i n g To ge t h e r t o Ach i e v e

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Healthy Communities OCTOBER 2014 |

| OCTOBER 2014

DESIGNING WOMEN

It takes strong belief, unwavering dedication and a sharp eye for design to make a mark in the competitive world of fashion. Although they are at different stages in their careers, Sheppartonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Kadime Mehmet (left) and Kyabramâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Leila Besim (right) share these unique attributes. Fashion designer and dressmaker Kadime has established herself as a designer to watch in the evening and bridal wear markets, while fashion student Leila has her sights set on making it to the top of the industry. One thing is for sure, the sky is the limit for these two women.

OCTOBER 2014 |

careers IN FASHION

MAKING DREAM

dresses come true Shepparton fashion designer Kadime Mehmet has taken her career from strength to strength, and shows no sign of slowing down.

When I met Kadime Mehmet at her Shepparton home two days after this year’s Brownlow Medal, she was wearing a black blazer, white tee, distressed denim and canvas flats.

“I was asked by a couple of others to design dresses for the event, but I had to decline, it would have been too much having just had a baby,” she said.

The fashion designer is the epitome of cool and her relaxed style today gives the impression she leads a laid-back lifestyle, but working in this glamourous industry is anything but chilled out.

Kadime has recently built a new loft-style studio at her residence; a necessity after business became so full on that she outgrew the room inside her home.

It is hard to believe she gave birth to her second child, daughter Indiana, just six weeks earlier.

This has created space for her true passion, bridal wear.

Kadime said crafting the lace gown for the girlfriend of Carlton’s Bryce Gibbs was a whirlwind process that evolved several times throughout the production. “Lauren’s dress was originally designed with a (sheer skirt),” Kadime said. “Then we changed it to a skirt with a different coloured bodice, which I actually made, but I didn’t like how it looked.” Finally, Kadime said she showed Lauren the lace, and the final design of a strapless dress with sheer elements was created.

“I’ve always loved bridal and having my own studio with a work and showroom is a dream come true,” she said. “I just really needed the space, and the dresses always look better at fittings when they are in the right light, with the right mirror.” The eye-catching oversized silver mirror has been in a box in storage for five years, with Kadime waiting for the day she could unpack it.

“

I’ve always loved bridal and having my own studio with a work and show room is a dream come true. Kadime Mehmet

“

Even harder to comprehend is the fact she designed and constructed Lauren Tscharke’s stunning red-carpet frock for this year’s Brownlow Medal in September, in less than two weeks.

Lace armbands were planned to be incorporated as well, similar to the design Gary Ablett’s partner Jordan Papalia wore, but Kadime said the lace material was too heavy to include that feature.

“I bought the mirror in Melbourne, it has been in its box for years — I’ve had it for ages, but I knew I was always going to use it,” she said.

This was the fourth consecutive year Kadime has designed frocks for the partners of AFL players invited to football’s night of nights.

Kadime said lace and sheer fabric were in style for spring and summer.

| OCTOBER 2014

Story: Rhiannon Gavalakis Photography: Ray Sizer

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Carlton AFL player Bryce Gibbs and his partner Lauren Tscharke attended the 2014 Brownlow Medal. Lauren wore a dress by Shepparton designer Kadime Mehmet. Picture: AAP

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“The thing with bridal is you want it to be timeless and something that won’t date, you don’t have to focus on trends. “It really is about the individual; one person might want a princess dress, while another might prefer something more in line with the current trends.”

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So what’s next for the Shepparton designer? She has plans to create an affordable range of ready-to-wear bridesmaid’s dresses, but for now she is focusing on the apples of her eye — her two children.

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“I am so busy with weddings and my children that I haven’t really had time to work on that,” she said.

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OCTOBER 2014 |

careers IN FASHION

SETTING HER SIGHTS

on a career in fashion They say you should never wish for something more than you work for it.

“The runway shows were a lot of fun. So much effort goes into those shows and the timing has to be spot on,” Leila said.

Melbourne’s Leila Besim, formerly of Kyabram, has been working towards a career in the fashion industry for as long as she can remember.

Meeting Victoria’s Secret angel Jessica Hart’s younger sister and model, Ashley Hart, was a career highlight, as was rubbing shoulders with Miss Universe Australia pageant representative Rachel Finch at a Fashion Week event.

“It may sound clichéd but honestly if you ask anyone around me, I’ve wanted to work in fashion for as long as I can remember,” she said. “Still to this day in my spare time I find myself watching red carpet events, reading every fashion magazine possible, and spending hours on the internet getting lost on fashion blogs.” Leila is in the midst of applying for a fashion internship with a high profile brand for summer, but she has already gained valuable industry experience; having undertaken work experience as a fashion merchandiser at Myer, and assisted at runway events, including backstage at Cosmopolitan Bride and Fashion Aid. “I loved being a fashion merchandiser at Myer; I sat in on fashion meetings, fitted models, helped with the sampling process and allocation, and even carried out analysis reports,” she said.

“

Still to this day in my spare time I find myself watching red carpet events, reading every fashion magazine possible, and spending hours on the internet getting lost on fashion blogs. Leila Besim

“

At 19 years old she is chasing her dream, and is undertaking the first year of a Bachelor of Fashion and Business at the Melbourne School of Fashion, after graduating from Kyabram P-12 College last year.

Leila has also met Australian modelling export Miranda Kerr at a signing at David Jones a few years ago. “That was an amazing experience,” she said. Leila said her course consisted of a variety of subjects and was mixed with business studies in the first year. Fashion design, history, visual merchandising and promotions were her favourite classes.

“Buying would be a fantastic sector to work in — that’s for sure.”

“I really enjoy learning about the history of fashion and fashion designers all around the world; who wouldn’t love learning about Coco Chanel or Yves Saint Laurent?” she said.

Chaotic and crazy were the words she used to describe runway shows, which are timed to the second.

“It is people like them who have made the fashion industry what it is today.”

| OCTOBER 2014

Story: Rhiannon Gavalakis Leila Besim is creating a stylish career and shooting for the Hollywood stars and a front row ticket to the most prestigious fashion weeks in the world.

Although sewing isn’t her favourite thing, designing garments, selecting fabrics and working on the finer details are a thrill for Leila, especially when she sees her sketch come to life. “I haven’t really decided what sector of the industry I wish to pursue my career in yet. I love so many parts of it, which makes it hard to choose just one,” she said. “One thing is for sure, I long for the day I can sit front row at Fashion Week with the editors of Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar, going from New York to Paris to see Dior’s latest collections. “I dream of going to the world’s fashion capitals, New York, Paris and Milan, and of making New York my second home.” Leila said she hoped to combine her career with a love of travel, and could envision herself as a fashion buyer, editor or as a celebrity stylist. “I have just recently created a fashion and lifestyle blog called ‘LA IN MLB’ with my boyfriend, Arton, who is also a fashion student,” she said. “Together we hope to bring to people a daily dose of fashion, food, travel and all things Melbourne, plus a little insight into our lives.” Leila’s philosophy on crafting a fashionable life that she loved was simple and inspiring. “Dream big and work hard,” she said. “I live by the quote, ‘You are never fully dressed without a smile.’ ”

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Health Story: Alexandra Bathman

DON’T WORRY

about the worry

Stress. The word itself is enough to make your heart start palpitating. After all, stress has been linked to health problems such as weight gain, depression and insomnia. Oh, wouldn’t it be great if we could always be relaxed and stress didn’t even exist? But stress can be beneficial. Wait — don’t turn the page! Research has shown stress and anxiety can help us perform at our best. The trouble is we think feelings of stress are all bad. Yet these feelings come mostly from our bodies pumping more blood and delivering more oxygen to our brains in order to get a task done — or to escape a hungry bear in the Stone Age. Shepparton psychologist Carole McGregor said these physiological stress responses could help us perform whether we were faced by a bear or a large pile of paper work. “There are optimum anxiety levels. If we are too anxious then our performance is going to suffer, even so if we are not motivated enough or not anxious enough,” Carole said. “There are peak levels of performance, whether it is in sport or public speaking or just being at our best form for what is important in our lives.”

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Carole said the ‘Inverted U Hypothesis’ was a sports psychology theory that illustrated how a person could reach their peak level of performance with stress — even in everyday life. It said performance improved as arousal levels increased to an optimum point, but if it increased any further or below this point our performance would deteriorate. Carole assists a range of different people from families to couples to children, and of all different ages, and said anxiety was a common problem.

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“There are a lot of stresses and high expectations on people these days and a person’s personality will affect their experience of stress.” “If a person had too much anxiety we would need to look at developing relaxation skills or some reassuring self-talk or mantra to help them stay focused — rather than get caught up in thoughts related to their catastrophic fears.”

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As an example, instead of saying: “I have a lot of work to do,” try: “I’m excited to get my work finished”. “Weigh up the chances of your worst fear coming true. Many people give something that has a little chance of happening, a lot of worry,” Carole said. “Being aware of how anxiety can be self-fulfilling or a vicious cycle is important.” So next time you’re on the sporting field, at your desk or just in everyday life and you’re feeling under the pump, try not to feel so negatively about it and reach your peak level of performance. n OCTOBER 2014 |

Story: Elaine Cooney

Angel Gowns area representative Alita Reed and Gowns and More owner Karen Bourke are helping transform wedding dresses into baby gowns.

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ANGELS A charity that turns wedding dresses into gowns for stillborn babies scored the jackpot at Shepparton’s Gowns and More recently. Angel Gowns collected three boxes of bridal gowns from the Fraser St store.

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Owner Karen Bourke said she usually gave her old stock to opportunity shops but liked the idea of donating her gowns to help families of stillborn babies.

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Angel Gowns area representative Alita Reed said one wedding dress could make between 12 and 24 baby gowns.

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“To me wedding dresses are made for love and this way they are going to end up being used for love,” she said.

She said the charity was close to her heart because when her first son was stillborn, he was buried in whatever clothes the hospital provided because she did not know about the gowns. “It would have been nice if he had a beautiful outfit,” she said. Alita said once Angel Gowns made the baby dresses, they were given free to families who needed them.

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She said the charity was always looking for gowns and volunteer sewers.

481 Wyndham Street, Shepparton. Ph: (03) 5821 5822 www.parklake.com.au

To donate dresses — wedding or other gowns — post them to 34 Sandleford Way, Hoppers Crossing, 3029 or email Alita Reed on angelgownsaustralianbabiesalitareed@hotmail.com or info@angelgowns.com.au

| OCTOBER 2014

Story: Sharon Wright Photography: Ray Sizer

DIRTY FIGHTERS

and loving it

Crawling through mud pits, scaling slippery ropes and being zapped by cables packing volts of electricity is not everyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ideal day out. But for three Shepparton women those challenges represent the ideal way for them to test their strength and endurance. Melissa Hinchcliffe, Mel Jones and Leanne Tremellen are members of Dirty Fighters, a club which trains for the burgeoning obstacle racing circuit and caters for athletes of all fitness levels. OCTOBER 2014 |

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Mel Jones Picture: Jackie Em Photography

Mel Jones Time out for marriage and children punctuated Mel Jones’ running career. A promising athlete during her teens Mel, 32, got back into running after the birth of her second child in 2010 with the aim of improving her general fitness. Her initial goal was to get fit enough to compete in a Tough Mudder 20 km event which, despite injury and recovering from a knee reconstruction, she achieved in 2013. She has since gone far beyond that, most recently finishing third in the Ipswich Spartan Ultra Beast — a gruelling 42 km run peppered with 70 confronting obstacles. Mel says she is “hooked” on obstacle racing and has joined Obstacle Course Racing Australia which enables her to compete as an elite athlete in the annual series with events all around Australia. Work and family commitments — Mel has two children with husband Steven, Milla, 6, and Harper, 4 — are continually being juggled to accommodate her heavy five-day-a-week training schedule. “If you want it bad enough you make the time to train,” Mel said. “I want to promote the sport and be a role model for other women, especially mums, who have talent or a passion.” Mel’s motivation is all about personal challenge. She has completely changed her lifestyle, focusing on training and nutrition. “Every time I go out there to compete I just want to better myself; complete the course faster or get through an obstacle quicker.”

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Spartan racing is timed and there is the added penalty of having to complete repetitions of burpees for every obstacle which is not mastered. “It’s tough. But you’re out there with a great bunch of people; we’re all on the same journey and everyone is there for each other,” Mel said.

Leanne Tremellen Leanne Tremellen, 39, travelled to Melbourne, Ipswich in Queensland and overseas to Hawaii to achieve her 2014 goal of achieving the “Spartan Trifecta”. It involved a 7 km sprint event in Melbourne, the 14 km super challenge in Hawaii and most recently the 21 km beast course in Ipswich. The busy mother of two has participated in about 15 obstacle races since taking up the sport two years ago. It’s a family affair for the Tremellens; Leanne’s husband Troy is a personal trainer and after completing a Tough Bloke obstacle race in 2011 decided to get a small group of like-minded friends together to train, fundraise and compete in Phillip Island’s Tough Mudder challenge. From there the Goulburn Valley Obstacle Racers Club, the Dirty Fighters, was born. Troy leads the club’s training sessions which Leanne usually can’t attend due to her caring for their children. Instead her training schedule involves playing midweek netball and a couple of weekly boxing sessions. “As I run these (obstacle courses) for fun, my preparation has been minimal,” Leanne said. “I really enjoy the fun, challenges and friendships that come from these mud runs. Mel Jones Picture: Jackie Em Photography

“The obstacle racing community is awesome. It doesn’t matter if you’re at the top of the sport or just run for fun, everyone encourages each other to get out and have a go. “The best feeling is coming over the finish line and having everyone congratulate you, regardless of the time it took you.” Looking ahead Leanne plans to improve her running times and further master the obstacles. Some of those obstacles include jumping over flaming heaps, scaling rope ladders, balancing on narrow lengths of timber, crawling through pipes or dragging yourself through mud pits. Injuries are common although Leanne said she has been fortunate to escape with only general scratches and bruises.

Leanne Tremellen Picture: Jackie Em Photography

Leanne Tremellen Picture: Jackie Em Photography OCTOBER 2014 |

Dirty Fighters athletes Melissa Hinchcliffe, Mel Jones and Leanne Tremellen. Picture: Ray Sizer

Melissa Hinchcliffe Melissa Hinchcliffe’s early years were spent growing up on a Goulburn Valley farm so mud, climbing trees and being zapped by electric fences gave her a small taste of the challenges she would face competing in obstacle races. A hairdresser who runs her own business from home, Melissa, 43, has always been active but her long-term sport of tennis is in stark contrast to her new pursuit. Obstacle racing represented a chance for Melissa to train and compete with people who shared her passion for health, fitness and camaraderie. “Three years ago Troy Tremellen, a local personal trainer wanted to get a small group together to train and compete in Tough Mudder and we ended up with 60 entries. I had an awesome time and I’ve been hooked ever since,” Melissa said. Last year she completed 12 races, with the 21 km Spartan Beast being the toughest and the 30 km Mud, Sweat and Beers being the longest. “The camaraderie and friendships that have been formed through this racing has been amazing . . . either

| OCTOBER 2014

within our club or other races from all over Australia,” Melissa said. “Everyone is always encouraging each other no matter what standard of fitness and are always there at the finish line to congratulate.” Melissa’s most challenging event to date has been the Spartan Trifecta weekend in Hawaii where she completed three individual races, measuring 7 km, 14 km and 21 km over two days. Only a few short weeks later Melissa travelled to Ipswich in Queensland with 17 of her fellow Dirty Fighters club members. “Nerves were at a high knowing I had 42 km to run with 30 burpee penalties at any obstacle I couldn’t complete,” Melissa said. Persistent knee and foot injuries have hampered Melissa’s running in the past few months. Instead she does up to nine gym classes a week to improve her cardiovascular fitness and strength. “The injuries don’t seem to stop me when it comes to race day. No Dirty Fighter gives in easily.”

Obstacle racing Obstacle racing is rapidly gaining in popularity and a recently formed group, International Obstacle Racing Federation, is lobbying for its inclusion as an Olympic event. In Australia obstacle racing events are staged in many states; the challenges vary but have the common theme of pushing participants to their physical and mental limits. Competitors take on a lengthy run through challenging terrain which is punctuated by obstacles such as crawling under barbed wire, carrying heavy objects, climbing rope ladders and over steep walls, jumping into ice-cold water and mud pools and avoiding electric cables.

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OCTOBER 2014 |

Story: Sharon Wright Photography: Ray Sizer

Young leaders look

TO THE FUTURE The Building a New Generation youth leadership program brings together young people from a range of cultural backgrounds to learn from one another and promote tolerance and understanding. Auspiced by the Goulburn Murray Local Learning and Employment Network, the program is open to young people from refugee and migrant families, Indigenous Australian families and Australian families. Participants have the opportunity to hear local, national and international speakers, improve their leadership skills and develop networks which could enhance their future study or employment aspirations. The 2014–15 program was launched in Shepparton in September and ME spoke with two young women who are looking forward to the experience. Shepparton Christian College student Gloria Du.

Gloria Du, 17, Shepparton Born in China, Gloria moved to Shepparton with her family in December 2013. Gloria learned of the program through her principal at Shepparton Christian College where she is a Year 10 student. She is confident that participating in the program will help improve her language and communication skills as well as foster a healthy environment to exchange ideas with other students. “I have had a dream of being a lawyer since I was a little girl and leadership skills are really important to being a lawyer,” Gloria said. “I used to watch television programs about the law and I want to help bring justice to people.” Since relocating to Australia Gloria has been struck by the healthy 54

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environment and high standard of education and is hoping her involvement with the young leadership program will help contribute to further improvements in both of those areas. And after hearing Federal Member for Murray Sharman Stone address her school’s politics class, Gloria is looking forward to meeting the MP when the young leadership group travels to Canberra. Gloria said there was a mix of backgrounds represented in the young leaders’ group and she believed the experience of being involved would be a positive one. “We will be able to talk about different issues and exchange our opinions,” Gloria said. Her dream is to study at University of Melbourne which Gloria said raised another challenge for country students; that of having to leave home to pursue their goals.

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Notre Dame College student Cara Dooley-Heath.

Cara Dooley-Heath, 16,Tatura An immersion trip to East Timor sparked an interest in the country’s political relationship with Australia for Notre Dame College student Cara Dooley-Heath. The Tatura resident already had a keen interest in politics and international relations but the trip further strengthened her resolve to be informed of and participate in, world events. Hence her keenness to join the young leadership program which encourages students to network, ask questions and make connections with the leaders they meet. Already Cara’s involvement in the program has paid dividends.

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At the program’s launch in September, Cara met several people who were able to secure her a meeting at the East Timorese Consulate in Melbourne. She intends to discuss the issue of the Timor Gap and encourage the fostering of an agreement which allows for the equitable division of its oil and gas resources between Australia and the East Timorese. Cara is looking forward to meeting diplomats and politicians through the young leaders program in the hope of gaining insight into the career she wishes to pursue. Her plan is to study politics and international relations either at University of Melbourne or Australian National University in Canberra and her subject choices reflect this goal, being largely humanities based.

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Cara was encouraged to join the program by friends who had participated last year and gained from the experience. An initial written application was followed by an interview process. “The people in the group are from really diverse backgrounds and different cultures. It will be awesome to get to know everyone,” Cara said.

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OCTOBER 2014 |

Health Story: Alexandra Bathman

Surviving ACNE Zits, pimples, spots or blemishes — whatever you call them, it’s hard for many teenagers to avoid acne. The condition affects about 85 per cent of adolescents and understanding why and how teenagers get acne is the first step in controlling the condition. Acne isn’t caused by dirt and it isn’t caused by hands touching the face — it’s an inflammation of the sebum (or oil) glands caused by the hormone androgen. Sebum glands naturally moisturise our skin and hair but excess oil leads to whiteheads, blackheads or in some cases more severe cysts. Shiromali Ekanayake from Wyndham House Clinic in Shepparton said acne could be stressful for teenagers and for parents who see their children unhappy. “When you don’t have a clue it’s difficult to understand why it is happening,” Dr Ekanayake said. “Everyone’s chemistry is different and some people produce more androgen than others. The main management is support, counselling and medication.” Acne is categorised as mild, moderate or serious. “If it’s a mild case I would educate (and suggest) simple measures like cleansing and topical treatments, which means applying creams,” Dr Ekanayake said. “If it’s moderate to serious, it’s better to combine that with an antibiotic. When acne spreads to larger areas like the back a patient should see a dermatologist.” A dermatologist can prescribe oral retinoid to reduce sebum production and unblock pores. Dr Ekanayake stressed it was important to be patient with any treatment of acne and consistency was key. “It doesn’t get better overnight — it’s a minimum of three to six months. I often have patients come back and say it isn’t working

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Female and male doctors Bulk billing for under 16’s Women’s health General practice services including a holistic approach to health and wellbeing Men’s health Children’s health Minor surgery Gynaecologist/Obstetrician – Dr Hervinder Kaur joins us on 15th October.

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after only two weeks,” Dr Ekanayake said. “Don’t switch from one (treatment) to the other. You need to understand that skin takes time to renew itself.” She said teenage girls could use a gentle foundation to help cover-up spots but washing make-up off at the end of the day and having make-up-free days were important to avoid a condition called cosmetica acne. Cosmetica acne is caused by the prolonged and heavy use of skincare products and make-up such as foundation, moisturisers and creams.

It’s not forever I was only in Year 5 when I started getting called pizza-face at school. It wasn’t pleasant, but I didn’t let the bullies get to me. I held my head high and became school captain the following year.

Old make-up applicators also posed a risk of infection.

But as my hormones raged on through my teenage years I developed a more moderate condition that spread to my back and it became difficult to keep my self-esteem.

“Some people use make-up that was purchased three years ago,” Dr Ekanayake said.

To battle the blemishes, I had professional facials, spent my weekends steaming my face in the bathroom basin in a bid to unblock my pores, and picked at my face before I went to bed.

“We have a lot of bacteria on the surface of our bodies and sometimes people use make-up brushes over and over again even though they are moist and smelly.”

I also adopted a religious routine of cleansing, toning and moisturising my face every morning and night.

When it comes to diet, Dr Ekanayake said many people found acne was often alleviated by cutting back sugary processed foods.

I was lucky my skin wasn’t sensitive and handled topical products that contained benzoyl peroxide, such as the skincare range Proactiv. Benzoyl peroxide reduces acne by causing the skin to dry out and peel — this might sound like a horrible side effect but for my oily skin it was perfect.

A joint study by RMIT University, the Royal Children’s Hospital and Royal Melbourne hospital devised a Teenage Anti Acne diet that reduced acne by more than 50 per cent after 12 weeks.

Tinted moisturiser also became my best friend — a better option than heavy foundation for pimple-prone skin.

The diet was high in protein such as lean meat (red meat, fish and chicken) and low Glycaemic Index foods (GI) such as fresh fruit and vegetables, wholegrain bread, basmati rice and baked beans.

I remember the first time I used tinted moisturiser (after sneaking into my mum’s make-up bag), my dad commented on how my skin was looking a lot better. I was chuffed.

Dr Ekanayake encouraged people to avoid squeezing pimples — no matter how tempting it might be.

My skin cleared up properly when I was about 16. I believe my dedicated skin routine played the biggest part in clearing my complexion.

She said the face’s blood vessels flowed to the brain and sinuses and squeezing pimples made broken skin vulnerable to external bacteria that could lead to a serious infection.

I’m now 23 and continue to be acne-free. For all teenage girls out there troubled by unwanted spots — hang in there! I know it’s hard but it’s not forever.

“Nobody wants to have a white blot on their face but you shouldn’t squeeze your skin because it causes trauma. Just cleanse by gently padding the area”. n

— Alexandra Bathman

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Story: Sharon Wright

| OCTOBER 2014

Global travel

ADVENTURES A desire to experience different cultures first-hand has led Glenda Haigh to embark on a diverse travel itinerary taking her from the heat of Africa to the icy expanses of Antarctica.

Imagine sitting so close to a silverback gorilla you could reach out and touch him; or witnessing, at close range, a lioness carry her two-week-old cub carefully in her mouth; or taking a microlight flight over the majestic Victoria Falls on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe in Africa. These are just some of the remarkable experiences Glenda Haigh has enjoyed on her global travel adventures. Born and raised in the Goulburn Valley Glenda, 67, always had a penchant for travelling. However, marriage to husband Herb, being a mother to three daughters and her job in the Notre Dame College library were her first priorities. But 12 years ago Glenda packed her bags for her first trip and since then she has visited almost every continent and has had her passport stamped so many times she is onto her third travel document.

beaten track,” Glenda said. “I love to meet the people and hear their real-life stories and see how they live.” Like the Masai tribesman she encountered on one of her early visits. Employed to guard the perimeter of their camp, the tribesman told Glenda he would rather be tending livestock but he wanted his children to receive an education — hence the paid role. “The African people are so friendly; they have so little and yet they are happy with what they have. They like to practise their English by talking to us and education is becoming a priority for them,” Glenda said.

Europe, South America, South-East Asia, Antarctica and the Arctic have been on Glenda’s destination list, but Africa is her passion.

She has trekked through impenetrable forest to sit for an hour and wonder at a group of 24 gorillas ranging in age from mature silverbacks to three-week-old babies; she has been woken from sleep by a hippopotamus meandering through her camp-site; and she has seen three humpback whales playing in the Southern Ocean.

“I’m not so much into the big cities, I prefer getting off the

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OCTOBER 2014 |

Photography: Glenda Haigh

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time she travels.

But her trips are not all about sightseeing; Glenda has also had to confront some harsh realities.

And as for culinary adventures, she has come across some exotic dishes including ostrich and zebra on menus but prefers to stick to westernised meal options.

Her most recent — and sixth — African trip, which concluded in late August, took her to Zanzibar from where the infamous slave trade originated. “Our tour took us to the areas where the slaves were held before they were auctioned and shipped off to all parts of the world,” Glenda said. She has also visited the Sheldrick elephant orphanage in Nairobi where calves left orphaned by the poaching trade are rehabilitated. “I love watching the animals in their natural environment. I love the dynamics but it can be brutal. I’ve seen the hunting . . . but that’s nature,” Glenda said. Watching elephants and the myriad of other animals which call Africa home has been a revelation for Glenda and led to another interest — wildlife photography. She takes up to 5000 images each

“I would rather watch the animals and photograph them than eat them,” Glenda said. Close inspection of Glenda’s passport will reveal she has visited the Arctic, Antarctica, India, Nepal, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, England, France, Switzerland, Italy, Egypt, Argentina, the Falkland Islands, the Galapagos Islands and numerous African countries. Most of her travel is with tour groups organised by Lyn McNaught Travel. And while Glenda has travelled extensively there are still some places she hasn’t made it to yet including parts of Europe, Canada, United States of America and New Zealand. “Travelling broadens your horizons, I intend to do as much as I can, while I can,” Glenda said. n

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Reviews

Book

Review: Elaine Cooney

When the Night Comes by Favel Parrett, Hachette Australia, RRP $27.99.

As I eagerly leafed through the pages of Favel Parrett’s novel When the Night Comes, I felt her literary genius was akin to Ernest Hemingway — and had a similar vibe to The Old Man and The Sea — albeit more upbeat in parts. The novel starkly contrasted the dreary new life Isla, her mum and brother embarked upon in Hobart, Tasmania full of grey skies concrete and sadness to the colourful adventures of their sailor friend Bo. Bo befriended the mum, although their relationship is unclear — she is in a depressed state while Bo is larger than life and brings happiness, adventure and knowledge to Isla’s world. Bo’s description of his travels to Antarctica was almost tangible. It took you to the spot where “deep crisp snow” was underfoot and “penguin tracks crisscrossed the human path”.

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While there was tragedy throughout the novel, Bo’s stories seemed to lighten the mood — and taught the children how to appreciate the good things in life such as a chocolate-hazelnutcherry cake, sunrises and good coffee.

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Even if you’re a regular gym-goer, research has found that sedentary lifestyles (more specifically desk jobs) are reducing the life expectancy of adults by an average of three years. David Dunstan, a researcher from the Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute in Melbourne, said in a report too much sitting should be considered a significant part of the physical activity and health equation. He said during a 14 to 15-hour waking day, moderate or vigorous exercise only occupied about five per cent or less of our day, which meant most of us were still sedentary for 55 to 75 per cent of the time. University of Queensland researchers analysed the television habits of 8800 Australians and found for each hour of television watched, 22 minutes was shaved off the average life expectancy of an adult older than 25. To put that into perspective, if you watched six hours of television a day you could die five years earlier just from watching your favourite comedy show. While I don’t watch much television, I do watch a computer screen at a desk for many hours of the day so I found these results alarming — alarming enough to find something to motivate me to move more. That something was the new Fitbit Flex. Fitbit Flex is a wristband that tracks your daily steps and exercise with GPS maps, along with your sleep, weight and calorie intake. The wristband connects to your smart phone (iPhone, Windows Phone or Android device) through Bluetooth 4.0 and a mini USB stick that downloads data to your Fitbit account online, which is handy for those who don’t have smart phones. The waterproof wristband features five lights that resemble 20 per cent increments of your daily goal — an option of calories burned, distance travelled, active minutes and how many steps taken a day. The device recommends 10 000 steps a day and you would be surprised how hard it is to clock up some active minutes. Plodding around the office counted towards my daily steps but active minutes were only counted if I was walking with a quick | OCTOBER 2014

The friendship and father figure-relationship Bo had with Isla seemed to happen at a crucial point in her life and helped her understand the world when her mum was not in a mental position to teach her.

Review: Alexandra Bathman

How inactive we are has become the key to our health and life expectancy.

The imagery of this book has a permanent place in my imagination: I can still see the sailors playing football on the ice next to the red ship stranded in the frozen ocean near Antarctica and the snow petrels fluttering their wings, and Bo’s delight in tasting a crisp apple after weeks without one.

pace or running. I’m now more motivated to take a 15–minute walk to and from where I eat lunch rather than drive. I soon built up my steps, distance travelled and calories burned and my tracker sent a message to my phone calling me an “over–achiever” — another hit of motivation and encouragement. From my experience, the Fitbit is accurate but I’ve noticed it tracked some steps when I was applying make-up. For those who like to track their daily food, Fitbit Flex uses your BMI (body mass index) and daily activity to guide you on how much you should (or shouldn’t) be eating during the day. If you want to lose weight, the application will calculate how many calories you need to burn each day to reach your goal. The only down side I found was the application is yet to have an Australian food database, so entering my food was tedious. But now the foods I eat on a daily basis are entered, it’s similar to logging foods with the popular fitness app MyFitnessPal. While the wristband itself is quite plain, it does come in a variety of colours and for women who like their arm candy, designer bands can be purchased online such as gold plated bangles which the Fitbit tracker can be slotted into. The Fitbit Flex sleep function is interesting to use — it records my tossing and turning, which I analyse the next morning. I’ve noticed positive changes in my quality of sleep depending on how much I move each day — some extra motivation. A silent alarm can be set on the device and the wristband will wake you up by vibrating. Additionally, if you’re someone who likes to share their fitness achievements, the application allows you to post on Facebook and Twitter. The battery life of the device is impressive — it lasts about five days and after a quick charge it’s back on my wrist tracking my steps to a more active, longer life. • For more information, visit http://www.fitbit.com/au/flex/specs

Beautiful yet tough

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Now providing the Goulburn Valley with more medical specialists At GV Specialist Centre (consulting rooms previously known as ARC Plastic Surgery), we now provide access to a wider range of leading medical specialists and complementary services including: ARC Plastic Surgery

eReports

Specialist Plastic Surgeons: Mr Howard Webster, Mr Richard Bloom, Dr Kim Taylor & Mr Dean Trotter

Melbourne Vascular

Skin Cancer GPs: Dr Robert Brun, Dr Krista Tavcar & Dr Shiro Ekanyake

Molemap by Dermatologists

Specialist Vascular Surgeon: Mr William Campbell

Hyperdermics

Regional Dermatology

Experts in Facial Injectables: Dr Vilma Di Maria & Dr Fiona Jane

Consultant Physician & Specialist Dermatologist: Dr Gordon Rennick

ARC Medispa Dermal Consultants: Carmela Watson & Karen Thompson

ARC Women’s Wellness Women’s GP: Dr Fiona Jane

To find out more visit www.gvsc.com.au, call or drop in and see one of our friendly team today 20 Wyndham St, Shepparton • Tel: 5820 0500 • Fax: 5820 0501 64

| OCTOBER 2014