Keep abreast of your health

By Meg Kennedy

Ballan has become tickled pink, with Pink Up Ballan well underway across the town and surrounds.

Event organiser is Moorabool’s 2019 Citizen of the Year Kevin Harper who said he has been “overwhelmed by the response” over the last few weeks, and the way “the community has taken opportunities”.

“More people are doing this each week,” he said.

As well as community involvement, fundraising for the McGrath Foundation is rising steadily.

The recent Gordon Sensory High Tea event, held on Sunday, 6 October, saw $3,175 raised for the cause.

“The money tins [at participating businesses] are quite full, with sales of merchandise ongoing, such as candles and wristbands,” said Mr Harper.

As well as events throughout the remainder of the month; including a cricket day this Sunday, the event will culminate with the Pink Mayoral Ball at St Anne’s Winery on Friday, 1 November.

The Ball, which will be attended by Moorabool Mayor Cr Paul Tatchell and State Member for Buninyong Michaela Settle, will include a three-course dinner, pink wine, live entertainment, a silent auction and raffle prizes.

Mr Harper said community members can get involved by “supporting local businesses who are taking part in Pink Up,” such as Springfields Garage, Scruffy Fella, Millrose Cottage, and Ballan Commercial Hotel.

This weekend will see Ballan Cricket Club hold a ‘Pink Stumps Day’, with activities including a T10 ‘Mothers and Kids’ and ‘T10 current players match’, as well as a sausage sizzle, colouring-in station, prizes for best-dressed in pink, face painting, jumping castle, silent auction, guessing games and merchandise.

Ballan Cricket Club representative Cindy Connor said the event “is our way of giving back.”

“Together, with more knowledge, awareness, guidance and appreciation for the wonderful work the McGrath Foundation and McGrath Breast Care Nurses do…we are lucky enough to have McGrath Breast Care Nurse Leanne Storer, one of the two regional Breast Care Nurses in our area, joining our event to present and pass on her expertise. We are extremely grateful for her time,” said Ms Connor.

The Ballan Cricket Club ‘Pink Stumps Day’ will be held on Sunday, 20 October at Ballan Recreation Reserve, Cowie Street (enter via Edols Street) from 11.30am – 4.00pm.

Tickets for the Pink Mayoral Ball are now available to purchase for $110 (Adults 18+ only) at https://www.trybooking.com/book/event?eid=545588