3 days Ago By Murray Trembath
Artist Becky Louise recalls the conversation which led to an upcoming exhibition of "raw, honest, inspiring" paintings of her partner Nat, who passed away after an 18-month cancer journey. or signup to continue reading The exhibition, to be held at Hazelhurst Cottage on October 18, will not only chronicle that journey, it will also provide a platform for exploring the needs of carers. "Nat was lying there one day when she said, 'I want you to record this journey, because I know it's going to be complex'," Becky said.
"I said, 'yeah, okay', and she said, 'I want you to draw it. I want you to be able to draw what you truly see because what people think cancer is, is not what they're seeing'. "She said, 'I know your drawings are raw, true, happy, fun, colourful, and they will be able to show my pain and your pain'.
" The exhibition of more than 40 paintings, titled Rolling the Dice with Cancer, has been organised by Southern Cancer Care in partnership with the Michael Tynan Challenge, Hazelhurst and Sutherland Shire Council. Southern Cancer Care Centre, which grew out of the Prostate Cancer Care Institute, is a not-for-profit organisation advocating and fund-raising for projects inspired by cancer care centres in St George and Sutherland Shire. Tynan Motors' involvement continues the legacy of pioneering motor industry giant Michael Tynan, whose family accompanied him on his cancer journey.
The invitation says, ""Becky's images are raw, honest and will inspire this discussion with our community.". Becky said Nat "took her diagnosis with strength and grace".
"She was very brave, a very strong and resilient person, full of adventure, very kind and generous to anyone and everyone. She was all of that before, during and after cancer." "There has to be a better approach to support people going through cancer, going through the journey of chemo radiation, the side effects, the chronic illnesses that come with it.
" Associate Professor Julia Maclean, who has held the senior surgery /oncology speech pathology position at St George Hospital since 1997 and is on the board of Southern Cancer Care, said, "We will open a conversation with our community, asking, 'What resources can we build for you to make your journey as carers of cancer easier?' "Is it podcasts on the website about how to deal with cancer diagnosis, how to tell family someone's got cancer, dealing with the anxiety that goes with the cancer journey? Do they want a support group? "We will have a mechanism for carers to communicate with us on the night, and we will also be reaching out to them afterwards to see if they want to provide us with any further information. "We have worked for 25 years on the buildings and the cancer services, so that everyone in St George and the Shire has world class cancer facilities, and this is the next step." Madeline Tynan, of Tynan Motors, said the exhibition "allows us to continue my father Michael's legacy of supporting local medical research".
"It's also beautiful to be partnering with Hazelhurst for this event," she said. "The Cottage setting resonates with the community, creating a perfect space for reflection, support, and coming together for a greater cause." Tickets are $75.
Visit: St George and Sutherland Shire Leader reporter covering politics, urban affairs, council, development and general community news.Email: [email protected].
au St George and Sutherland Shire Leader reporter covering politics, urban affairs, council, development and general community news.Email: [email protected].
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