Pampering for peace of mind

For a third year, 60 ladies will experience a weekend of pampering as part of local charity Peace of Mind Foundation’s Women’s Retreat for Brain Cancer.

The event at Waurn Ponds Estate will see patients and carers, both local and from interstate, come together for a weekend of friendship and indulgence.

The Peace of Mind Foundation was founded in 2013 by brother and sister Bec Picone and Clint Matthews, after Clint lost his wife Caroline to brain cancer in 2011.

“The organisation runs a brain tumour support group, offers funded counselling and financial aid for affected families and a small range of in-home services to help alleviate day to day stresses,” Ms Picone said.

“Peace of Mind Foundation has become most well-known for its social days and incredible retreat weekends that we run every year; a Family Retreat, and a Women’s Retreat.”

Founder and director, Ms Picone said she made the decision to start running the retreats after recognising the isolation that a brain cancer diagnosis can have on families.

“Brain cancer is still a fairly rare disease and Australia is such a widespread country geographically that many patients/carers may never get the opportunity to meet others on the brain cancer journey.

“Launching an annual event that brings brain cancer affected families together was a way of helping support families in their greatest time of need and help bridge that gap within the brain cancer community.”

The 2018 Women’s Retreat kicks off on October 19 with the Rotary Club of Torquay annually volunteering their time to cook a barbecue dinner for everyone.

“We run these events on an extremely small budget but manage to recruit over $80,000 of in-kind support to help make these retreats possible each year,” Ms Picone said.

“The favourite day of the retreat is always the Saturday, where all the ladies are welcomed into the ‘pop up’ pamper room; a floor to ceiling glass walled room that overlooks a stunning view.

“While in the pamper room the ladies enjoy a selection of pampering activities run by over 40 volunteer professionals; massage, reflexology, facials, nails, spray tanning, hair styling and make-up.

“At lunch the ladies are surprised with a smorgasbord of food, wine and live music. The ladies will be glammed up and excited in preparation for the Saturday night cocktail party and guest speakers – Marcella Zemanek (the late wife of TV/ radio personality Stan Zemanek) and Torquay local and inspiration Sean Purcell.”

The final day consists of a chauffeured winery tour by over 25 classic cars to Mt Duneed Winery, followed by a lunch at the Batesford Hotel.

“As we all know, the brain cancer journey is challenging and life changing, so having people who truly understand is a real blessing.”

For more information head to peaceofmindfoundation.org.au.