:: Fundraising show for Olivia Hewton-John Cancer Centre - Esplanade Hotel - December 2006

By: Carmine Pascuzzi; photos by Matt Deller

Some of Australia's emerging female artists joined forces for a special show in the Gershwin Room at the Esplanade Hotel to raise money and awareness for the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Centre.

Performers on the night included the McClymonts, Carmen Fraser, Lillian Thoms and Abbie Cardwell, plus Grace Knight.

One in every three Australians is touched by cancer. The Olivia Newton-John Cancer Centre will be a world class facility at the Austin Hospital, Heidelberg, providing treatment for all cancers. The Centre also provides a range of services and facilities for cancer care, research, education and training. The Centre will also offer complimentary therapies such as patient support programs, meditation and relaxation to benefit the whole person - body mind and spirit.

There were plenty of messages of support read out by the host of the evening, Julia Zemiro, and organiser of the event, Jodie Harrison, including those by Olivia and Kylie Minogue, who have both battled cancer. They both wished that they had have been in attendance, but each had prior commitments.

Olivia Newton-John's statement read, “I am proud to put my name to this Cancer Centre, a Centre that will provide excellence in clinical as well as therapeutical care - caring for the whole person. A Centre I dreamed of when I was going through cancer. You can help me build a cancer centre like no other in the country at the Austin Hospital. It will provide new therapies not available anywhere else in Australia.”

During the evening, fantastic prizes generously donated by local businesses were raffled off to raise additional funds for the Centre. The night also featured super-screen messages from other high profile Australians and
a tribute to a number of brave Australian artists who lost their battle with cancer in 2006 including Belinda Emmett, Pete Wells, Roger Treble and Ian Rilen.

Jodie Harrison	Millie McClymont

Brooke McClymont	Samantha McClymont

The McClymonts

The McClymonts

Lillian Thoms

Carmen Fraser

Abbie Cardwell	Grace Knight

Julia Zemiro