George Christensen (Dawson, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you very much, Deputy Speaker Hogan. It is with great sadness that I report the passing of Trudy Crowley, a much-loved and highly respected advocate for ovarian cancer patients. When Trudy was diagnosed with incurable ovarian cancer in 2016, she saw the opportunity to do something important with the time she had remaining. With a dedicated group of friends in Mackay, she created the Nude Lunch, where ovarian cancer would be exposed, raising more than $100,000 in the first two events. Trudy also visited us here in Parliament House last year to tell her personal story and to meet with the Minister for Health on Teal Ribbon Day. Even in her final few weeks, Trudy was still working to save other women from suffering the same fate. I'd like to share a quote from Trudy about making a difference. She says:

The biggest thing I've learnt is, don't think you can't make a difference just because you live in a small town. It's a matter of knocking on those doors, we can still have what the big cities have ... knock on the doors and make sure it helps others. Some people (fighting cancer) aren't fortunate enough to have beautiful families like I do; and it's a lonely journey for some of them so if I can help make it a little easier for them it makes everything worthwhile.

We extend our deepest sympathies to her husband, Damian; her sons, Jacob and Levi, and their families. We thank those who worked with Trudy in fighting this terrible illness. Importantly, we thank her family for the time that they sacrificed while Trudy sought to help so many others.