Vol. 16 No. 44
FREE PUBLICATION
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
LIFE AND LUNCH: Patch, the flockprotecting Meremma dog and Harry, the mohair billy-goat at Sylvania Park Mohair Farm steal the moment with, from left, Simone Embleton, Rowena Doyle and Cris Semmler in preparation for a Relay for Life lunch. Picture: MICK SHANNON
Sylvania setting for ladies lunch
Organisers expect about 80 guests to gather at an inaugural Horsham district Relay for Life Ladies Luncheon at Sylvania Park Mohair Farm on Saturday week.
The luncheon, featuring guest speakers breast cancer survivor Jenny Thomson and Jane McGrath Breast Screen nurse Wendy Crafter, is raising money for the fight against cancer. It will start at noon and include a major raffle as well as various spot and door prizes. Kirsty O’Connor of Kirsty’s Cakes and Catering is providing food for the event and Horsham’s Sassi Beauty Bar and Hair Design will use the occasion to launch its new skin-care range. Cris Semmler, who has organised the event with Simone Embleton, said Horsham district businesses had provided ‘tremendous’ support for the occasion. “We plan for a delightful ladies day out, while raising money towards a significant cause with all proceeds to Cancer Council Victoria,” she said. Tickets are available at $80 from Watts Price Accountants at 44 Wilson Street, Horsham on 5382 3001 during business hours or 0400 823 904 or 0438 223 266 after hours.
Rally for baby Sophie T
By LAUREN HENRY
he first eight months of Sophie Hustler’s life have been a battle.
The Ararat baby, born with a heart problem at Melbourne’s Royal Women’s Hospital on October 9 last year, has only just come home to her parents. To say it’s been a tough time for young parents Paige Mills and Ash Hustler would be an understatement. Paige has spent the whole time by Sophie’s side while Ash has continued to work and look after the couple’s eldest child, Isaac. It is a story that prompted members of newly formed regional hot-rod club, the Grampians Grease Monkeys, to raise money for the young family. And what better way for a car club to raise money than to organise a hot-run run. Grampians Grease Monkeys have
organised a ‘Run for Sophie’ this Saturday with the event starting at Elizabeth Park, Ararat at 10am and following a route to Pomonal for lunch and then a stop at the Pickers Market in Stawell. Paige gave birth to Sophie knowing that her newborn had hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a severe and life-threatening condition that would require almost immediate surgery. This meant Sophie came into the world with a poorly developed left side of the heart which would fail to support blood circulation throughout the body. All had been revealed in a 20-week scan. At just two days old, Sophie underwent her first operation, where surgeons inserted a shunt into her tiny frame. But the shunt developed a kink which in turn compromised blood flow to her left lung, leaving the bottom half of her lung nonfunctional.
IN THIS ISSUE
TOUGH START: Sophie Hustler with her mum, Paige Mills.
She underwent emergency surgery a week later to replace the shunt and spent the next six and a half weeks
in intensive care and the next four weeks in a special cardiac ward. A third surgical procedure involving more heart repairs followed in February and Sophie suffered another set-back as cardiologists discovered fluid around her right lung. Sophie will be on heart and bloodpressure medication for the rest of her life and have to undergo more surgery when she is about three. The young family’s plight struck at the heartstrings of the Grampians Grease Monkeys. President Mark Rudolph said the not-for-profit club had been on the look-out for good causes to support and raise money for and Sophie’s more than qualified. “We just want to give back to our community, and a club member knows Sophie’s family so that’s how it came about,” Mr Rudolph said. Various businesses have donated goods to raffle and auction and the
cost of $10 a car for enthusiasts taking part in a ‘Cruise for Sophie’ will go to the family, which continues to face various expenses and medical costs. “Being a hot-rod club we particularly want people with older cars to join us but if you want to come along in your Commodore, we welcome you to join us too,” he said. Mr Rudolph said the club welcomed new members and anyone interested in joining could attend Saturday’s event to find out more information about the club. The club, which has 30 members who have an interest in hot-rods and custom cars, also meets on the first Thursday of every month and organises various monthly activities such as visits to other hot-rod shows. Mr Rudolph said anyone requiring more information can contact him on 0428 532 888 or Bernadine Streeter on 0417 395 995.
• Cheetahs’ new home • Awakenings Ball returns • Ararat art • Netball wrap
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