In the charming town of Mudgee, NSW, local real estate agent Wendy Box has big shoes to fill as the newly elected president of the Pink Up Mudgee committee. She has just been handed the blush-hued ‘baton’ from Hugh Bateman, who together with the McGrath Foundation, made the Pink Up Your Town campaign a reality back in 2016.
“Mudgee was the first-ever town to host Pink Up Your Town,” says Wendy. “Well-known local business owner Hugh Bateman, together with McGrath Foundation, was the instigator of Pink Up Your Town nationally… He drove a pink tractor around NSW to raise awareness of breast cancer. McGrath Foundation Ambassador & Director, Tracy Bevan sat down with him for coffee in 2016 to see what else they could do — and the rest is history!”
Wendy has been deeply involved in the committee since the beginning and is thrilled to be at the helm in 2023, as elected president as Hugh steps down. “This is a crusade for me personally,” she says. “One of my best friends sadly passed away from breast cancer two years ago at just 49, leaving four children. And her memory drives my passion for this important cause.”
“This is not only an opportunity to shine a light on breast cancer by spreading awareness, but also a poignant way to remember those we’ve lost.”
The Pink Up Mudgee committee has a dedicated team of eight and plenty of keen support from the wider community. In Mudgee, the focus is on fun, with a huge range of creative events, from painting houses pink to race days and pink polo.
“Over the years we’ve had incredible events that have raised so much money — I think to date Pink Up Mudgee has raised in the vicinity of one million dollars”.
Since 2016, the committee, together with local businesses, schools, and local volunteers, have organised golf days, barbeques at the local schools, and the fabulous Pink Ball. “In 2023, our plan is to incorporate more local businesses than ever before. We also plan to liaise with our local high schools to try and implement information sessions about breast cancer awareness for men and women,” says Wendy.
Wendy’s drive and passion to raise funds for McGrath Foundation is palpable, and she sees firsthand the difference having a McGrath Breast Care Nurse in Mudgee makes in her community. “The difference is astronomical,” she says. “If you are experiencing breast cancer, to have the opportunity to receive assistance in your hometown and not have to travel to unfamiliar surroundings without your support network around you makes a world of difference.”
Decorate your town pink and turn Breast Cancer Awareness Month into your month to support McGrath Foundation. From your streets to your schools, decorate your town in the colour of care and raise funds to ensure no one misses out on the care of a McGrath Breast Care Nurse.
