Country music sensation Sara Storer reckons one of the best places to perform is in the back paddock at home.
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And the stage is set for her to do, well, pretty much that at a special fundraising concert for the cancer centre just down the road from the Bowna property she shares with husband Dave and their four sons.
The acclaimed singer-songwriter, who has 21 Golden Guitars to her name, will deliver an intimate garden concert on December 9 at Bradley and Kerryn Hayden’s Glandore property on Plunkett Road.
She’ll be joined by friend and fellow muso Pete Denahy as well as her brother Greg Storer, who will make a special trip from his drought-stricken farm at Warren, NSW to “sing a few tunes” with his sister.
Guests are invited to bring along a picnic, drinks, chairs and a rug and enjoy a special evening of music set in the homestead’s picturesque grounds with all funds raised going to the Albury-Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre Trust Fund Inc.
Fundraising manager Kristy McMahon said initiatives such as this were the lifeblood of the trust.
“We absolutely rely on community support to fill in the gaps government funding just can’t cover,” Ms McMahon said.
“We fund the wellness centre and have recently been able to put on a psychologist to support patients during their cancer journey, which has been a huge gap until now.”
On Monday the trust will launch a scholarship program for nurses to complete post-graduate studies in oncology.
“The program is designed to attract and retain skilled staff in regional areas,” Ms McMahon explained.
The concert is a cause close to the hearts of everyone involved.
Ms McMahon was diagnosed with breast cancer 6 years ago and in August celebrated her 40th birthday, her 5-year “clear” and a new job with the trust.
Her daughter Ella was diagnosed with osteoscarcoma 3 years ago and is still undergoing rehabilitation.
She said her family’s two entirely different cancer stories illustrated the vital importance of a regional cancer facility.
“(With my experience) I had so much community support here; I could go home every night after treatment, my husband was able to keep working and you didn’t have to worry about who was feeding the animals while you were away,” Ms McMahon said.
“With Ella we had to pack up our whole life and head into the unknown.
“I think we covered about 25,000 kilometres (back and forth to the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne) and our younger son developed anxiety because of it.
“In the end my husband and I would take turns to go with Ella and I’d meet him on the side of the freeway, we’d have a quick kiss through the car window and keep going.”
Ms McMahon said her direct experiences really helped drive her passion for the work of the trust.
“The things we do really help patients and we deliver a standard of care on par with Melbourne,” she said.
“It gives patients the treatment they deserve.”
Kerryn Hayden is still grateful she had access to a local medical facility of such a high calibre during her cancer journey.
She was diagnosed with breast cancer about 2½ years ago (Kerryn underwent surgery, 6 months of chemotherapy and 6 weeks of radiation and is currently “tracking well”) while Bradley was diagnosed with prostate cancer 5 years ago.
The couple has already hosted several garden fundraisers to support the centre that supports so many locals.
For Kerryn, the garden has always been a source of comfort and the Glandore grounds have evolved over about 10 years.
The well-established surrounds include shade trees, roses, salvias and succulents as well as a vegetable garden.
Tickets are limited (adults $55) with gates opening at 4pm and the concert to kick off at 6pm with corporate packages also available.
- Contact Bradley Hayden on 0412 461 392, email bradley@ccem.com.au or to book tickets go to www.awcancertrust.org.au (news and events page)