Recent Events

(Article Courtesy of the Warragul Gazette)

More than $3,700 was raised during a Breast Cancer Comfort Cushion group fundraiser at the Warragul Downtowner on Monday, October 24, 2011. Held to coincide with Pink Ribbon Day, the fundraiser attracted about 60 people to enjoy entertainment, auctions and lunch.
Group founder, Paula Summerfield of Bon Vista, said it was the first fundraiser held of its type and exceeded her expectations.

Mrs Summerfield said she thought the day might raise $1,000 or possibly $2,000, but certainly not $3,744.45.

An Auction, silent auction, raffle and door prize helped raise the funds.

Mrs Summerfield said the event was held nine years to the day after she underwent surgery for breast cancer. Having used a cushion in hospital to bring some physical comfort to the wound site,
Mrs Summerfield decided to use her sewing skills to benefit other women in the same situation and the Breast Cancer Comfort Cushions group was formed.

BCCC gives “gifts of comfort” to women in more than 20 hospitals for free. Having presented about 5000 “gifts of comfort” since late 2002, the annual costs facing the group are about $30,000.

Mrs Summerfield thanked the support of people in attendance at the fundraiser as well as businesses who donated products.

“We’re going to have it again next year,” said Mrs Summerfield.

She said next year’s event in Warragul would incorporate a fashion parade and wearing pink prizes.


Amongst the organisers of the Breast Cancer Comfort Cushions Group are (from left) Marianne Aalbers of Traralgon
Pam Klippel of Drouin, Paula Summerfield of Bona Vista, Irene Veenstra of Warragul and Fran Carroll of Cape Patterson.

(Article Courtesy of the Warragul Gazette)

The Drouin ADASS Wednesday group has been working on a knitted patchwork quilt depicting symbols in recognition of breast cancer awareness.

The group was inspired to make the quilt following a visit from a cancer care nurse guest speaker from Breast Screen Victoria who spoke to them about the disease, support and treatment options.

Nine members of the group decided they wanted to work on a project which would acknowledge people who have been touched by breast cancer as well as recognising the work of BSV.

Each of the nine worked on a section of the quilt, which were then compiled and sewn together to produce the finished product. The quilt was on display in the BSV office in Traralgon in October for Breast Awareness Month, and was admired by all who saw it.

Last Wednesday at the ADASS office in Young Street Drouin, the quilt was presented to Breast Cancer Support Cushions director Paula Summerfield.

Paula thanked the group for all the work they had put in and said that the quilt will be donated to a very special client who is going through breast cancer at the moment.

Group member Barbara Stafford said that about 100 hours of work had gone into creating the quilt, but all those hours were enjoyed by everyone.


At the handover of the ADASS quilt are back from left; Paula Summerfield(Breast Cancer Comfort Cushions), Gwen Aumann (ADASS staff), Sandra Gelley, Janet Giblett, Liz O'Neill. Front from Left: Adele Brown, Veronica Elston, Lynn Evans (ADASS staff), Anne Bisseling, Barbara Stafford.