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Former radio personality Roxie Bennett gives her time and energy to support a range of community organisations, in particular Barwon Health Foundation. She spoke to Matt Hewson about her experience with breast cancer and what a $20,000 Westfield Local Heroes grant could do for Geelong’s University Hospital.
Having survived breast cancer, Roxie Bennett considers herself one of the lucky ones.
And it’s no exaggeration to say she is the reason many other women can also count themselves among that number.
In 1997 Roxie was co-host of K Rock’s breakfast show and, in her own words, “living large”.
“I had two little kids… so a young mum, great job, loved what I was doing,” she said.
“And then, you know, you get knocked for six. These serious illnesses just come out of nowhere.”
Roxie discovered a lump and was soon diagnosed with breast cancer.
In a decision she described as “crazy”, she continued to work on air full-time. But more importantly, she took her listeners on her journey with her, sharing the story of her diagnosis, treatment and recovery as it happened.
“I shared that journey with Geelong, and I think that really helped a lot of women,” Roxie said.
“It raised awareness, particularly for younger women…because you almost feel like you’re a little bit immune.
“Over the years I’ve lost count of the amount of people who said they heard me back then talk about it… and that prompted them to get their breast check or breast screen.
“(And) they found that they had cancer and were been able to get treatment that they otherwise may not have.”
Roxie’s treatment was difficult, but she said she only ever received “the most exceptional care” at University Hospital.
“I would be on air and then finish and come up to the hospital and have my chemo.
“Then when you’re having radiation, you’ve got to come every day for six weeks at exactly the same time.
“And I think that really made me realise how important it is – and that’s many years ago now – for our community to have a facility where you can actually do that.
“We don’t have to go to Melbourne or somewhere else to get what is the exemplar in cancer care. It’s quite extraordinary, so that gave me a real love and appreciation for our hospital, which then led me to support Barwon Health Foundation.”
An independent charity that engages in ethical fundraising and investment, Barwon Health Foundation exists solely to support public healthcare and the work of Barwon Health.
Since 2010, Roxie has been involved with the foundation, initially lending her services at fundraising events.
“The thing about cancer is, the moment somebody tells you you have cancer, from that moment in time you are never, ever the same afterwards,” she said.
“You are never going to be someone who doesn’t have cancer. For the rest of your life, it is always your default; if you’re coughing a bit too much or you’ve got an itch, anything, you think to yourself, this could be it. It’s come back.
“It changed the way I looked at life, changed the way I looked at who I was, even my purpose and how I could utilise my very minor celebrity to be able to shine a light on not just cancer and breast cancer, but also women’s health, our hospital and our services.”
Roxie, who works full-time as head of Strategic Partnerships and Special Projects at disability service provider Leisure Networks, is a member of Barwon Health Foundation’s board of directors, a position she has held for six years.
“The hospital is an amazingly run organisation that employs thousands and thousands of people and ticks along even through massive crises like COVID,” she said.
“But what the hospital doesn’t do, and it’s not its job to do that, is go out and toot its own horn. That’s not their business; their business is the health service they’re providing on behalf of the people of Victoria who pay for this service.
“What I love about the foundation is the way we actually connect with the community. We can draw attention to things that might need fundraising, like the children’s ward a few years ago, or the new emergency department.
“One of the things that is super close to my heart is some research that we’re doing here at Barwon Health around breast-cancer treatments, which is going to change the lives of all the people who receive treatment moving forward.
“That’s incredible. The thought that I could raise some money that’s going to improve the experience of another woman, or man, or anybody who’s going through this…isn’t that just wonderful?”
In addition to her work with Barwon Health Foundation, Roxie currently volunteers her time to Geelong Gallery, Lifeline, Geelong Connected Communities, Geelong Animal Welfare Society and Active Geelong in board member, ambassador or advisory roles.
Her extensive community work has led to a nomination for the Westfield Local Hero program.
Roxie has been shortlisted as a finalist, alongside Christ Church Community Meals Program volunteer Jan McGowan and founder of charity Friend in Me Louise Larkin.
Becoming a finalist will see Barwon Health Foundation receive a $5000 grant from the program. Now Roxie hopes to be awarded the title and increase that grant to $20,000.
“I’m totally embarrassed by it, it just kills me,” she said.
“I will toot my own trumpet any day of the week, but having someone else do it is actually really uncomfortable for me.
“But what I love about it is it’s the foundation getting the award. It’s already $5000…and if we get me over the line, then it’s $20,000, to be used for patient transport and transfers, which is phenomenal.
“I don’t do it for me, although I get such a buzz out of what I do. I do it because I deeply, deeply love this community.”
Roxie said there were “absolutely, definitely silver linings” to going through her cancer journey.
“It’s given me a purpose, it’s something that I can really find meaning through and that’s really important to me,” she said.
“It changed the trajectory of my life in ways that nobody could ever have predicted. I think it has helped me live a better life, because you don’t take it for granted.
“And imagine if there is a pearly gate and I turn up and they say ‘you helped keep XYZ amount of people alive because you spoke about it and they checked early’.
“So if I’m not here for any other reason, having that happen to me, with all the crap that came with it, I do think it’s been a great gift.”
Visit westfield.com.au/local-heroes/vote to cast your vote before 6pm on Monday, September 8.
