Andrew Willcox (Dawson, Liberal National Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Manufacturing and Sovereign Capability) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The words fall like stones in a silent room, heavy, cold and irreversible. A diagnosis doesn't arrive gently; it crashes in, shattering the quiet of an ordinary day and turning life as you know it upside down. In that moment, the world you knew just seconds ago vanishes, replaced by an unsettling shadow. Fear begins to coil around you—fear of the unknown, fear of the fight and the terrifying question of what this means to you and the people you love. This is the reality for thousands of Australian women, and this is why I rise today to give a voice to those fighting in the shadows and to advocate for the life-changing work of the Trudy Crowley Foundation.

Yesterday was World Cancer Day, a global day of unity in the fight against this disease. But for those living with cancer, the fight is not a single day on the calendar. It is the lived reality that requires a community led response. February is also Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, a time when we don the teal ribbon to shine a light on what is devastatingly referred to as the silent killer. It is a call to action to remember those whom we have lost and to bolster the courage of those currently in the fight.

Ovarian cancer is a particularly brutal disease. Symptoms like bloating, abdominal pain and fatigue are vague and easily dismissed as something else until it's too late. This is why the message of 'know your body, know your normal' is so vital. These were the words of the foundation's former ambassador, Bridgeen, and they are the words that now define the foundation's mission. Bridgeen battled ovarian cancer for many years with spirit—the foundation of the foundation. Despite her stage 4 diagnosis, she remained a fierce advocate for ovarian cancer awareness. As we mark the first anniversary of her passing this month, her legacy lives on through every woman who hears her words, 'Know your body, know your normal'. It's a plea to get women to trust their intuition, and it is a demand for our medical system to listen.

In my electorate, the Trudy Crowley Foundation was formed from a legacy of courage. Trudy Crowley was a woman of extraordinary grace and grit. When she was diagnosed with terminal ovarian cancer, she chose not to retreat. Instead, she proved that personal can be powerful. She turned her own private battle into a public mission, ensuring that no-one in the greater Mackay region would have to walk the cancer path alone.

This mission is powered by a board of locals and family members who lead with their hearts. I wish to formally acknowledge founding director Jacquie Camilleri; along with Trudy's husband, Damian Crowley; Trudy's sons, Levi and Jacob; Luke Phillip; Lassara Camphuis; Aggie Murphy; Sonia Crowley; and Pauline Townsend. Founding director Jacqui Camilleri is the driving force behind this organisation. Her journey began as a volunteer tea lady at the Mater Hospital, where she first met Trudy. In the quiet of a hospital ward, Jacqui saw a spark in Trudy and knew that this could not be extinguished.

What began as a chance encounter has blossomed into a beacon of hope that now lights the way for people with cancer. My own connection to this mission is personal. Board member Pauline Townsend is a valued member of my Mackay electorate office, and I see her work tirelessly for the foundation. The foundation is also championed by two patrons: the Queensland state member for Whitsunday, Amanda Camm, and my own media adviser, Amanda Wright. Ms Wright faced her own stage 3 cancer battle less than two years ago. Her presence here in Parliament House today is a sobering reminder that this disease does not discriminate. It doesn't care about your age or your plans for the future. The scourge of this disease touches us all.

While the foundation's roots are firmly planted in the soil of ovarian cancer awareness, its branches have grown to support families facing all forms of cancer across the greater Mackay region. By offering this simple human comfort and support network, they are easing the journey for locals living with cancer. They remind us: while these diseases may be silent, our response must be loud! This February, I urge everybody to learn the symptoms of ovarian cancer. Be a shining light for this disease. We are raising awareness. We are saving lives.