“I love being at the event overnight – it is quiet and a little darker with the overhead lights around the oval…I love watching people of all ages walking the track at 3, 4, and 5am and into sunrise – I love the look on their faces of peace and contentment. They should be tired and looking forward to a sleep – but no – they are walking the track with a family member, a friend, chatting to each other or by themselves. They are walking for their Mum or Dad, sister or brother; for their best mate or a work mate. Or for someone they don’t know that well.”
Anne Miller describes the rewarding experience of being involved with Relay For Life, a major fundraising event supporting Cancer Council Victoria. Geelong’s Relay For Life is celebrating 20 years this year, please join in to make it the biggest and best yet!
Anne grew up on a sheep farm in the Moorabool Valley, and after traveling the world in her working life, feels lucky to call Geelong home. Giving back to her community is something Anne is passionate about. “We all have time – it is how you choose to spend it.” Anne has demonstrated that if you want to spend your time taking positive action, just ask how you can help!
“In 2006 a work mate asked me to join her team to walk around the track and raise money for the work of Cancer Council Victoria. I had no idea what it was about for the first year – I was just happy to join her team. I then started to actually look at the people in yellow shirts (the committee) over the weekend, organising things or assisting people. I asked if I could help them out next year.”
2008 saw Anne joining Team Recruitment. “I had a great time talking to people about Geelong Relay For Life. I also felt this was a practical way I could do something in the fight against cancer.”
Anne has been the Chair for the Volunteer Organising Committee for the past seven years.
“Cancer Council Victoria is for all cancers and all people. The Geelong Event has raised over $4.2 million in the past 19 years.
“Relay For Life is not just a fundraising event…It is also a ‘safe space’ for all to come along and Remember (those who have passed away), Celebrate (our survivors and carers) and Fight Back against cancer. We shed tears together and we laugh together – this is my Relay family. We are there to support each other over the weekend and during the year. We are walking for a cancer free world!
“Relay For Life also enables people to get involved in a practical way, and we have many different jobs for people of all ages and abilities. It could be asking a local business to display a Relay poster, helping set up or pack up, or joining the committee.”
Geelong Relay For Life:
11:45 am Saturday March 2nd to 12 noon (overnight) Sunday March 3rd 2019
St Albans Reserve, Boundary Road, Thomson
relayforlife.org.au
PH: 1300 65 65 85
Story: Sarah Treacy. Photo: By John Holman. Anne is in the centre in the blue shirt, with fellow committee members Maeghan Lee on the left in the yellow and on the right is Elaine Holman.
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