Stop and smell Brucedale's roses for fundraiser for rare cancer

Trevor Bruce and his wife Deb were watching television one night in 2019 when actor Samuel Johnson danced across the screen.

“Deb remembered his sister had died from cancer and he had been fundraising,” Trevor said.

“So I said, ‘Why don’t we do something like that?’ but I thought that would be it.

“A couple of nights later Deb came home and said ‘We’re going to have an open garden day’.”

That’s how the Brucedale Open Garden and Market Day was born.

Deb was diagnosed in March 2018 with uterine leiomyosarcoma after experiencing some stomach discomfort for about six months.

It had reached the point at which she needed to take days off work because of the pain. She visited her gynaecologist in January of 2018.

She underwent a hysterectomy for fibroids (growths in the uterus) when the cancer was found.

“Inside one of the fibroids was cancer … there were no other indicators,” Trevor said.

“It came as a bit of a shock. We’re no different from anyone else in that respect.”

Deb underwent several operations, chemotherapy and radiation therapy before she died in October 2020.

But before she died, she wanted to do something to raise more money and awareness of the rare cancer.

The inaugural Brucedale Open Garden and Market Day featured four gardens and was held in November, 2019.

“When Deb was going through her treatment, we became aware of so many cancers and they’re all vying for funds for research, but the more common cancers get the lion’s share,” Trevor said.

“We thought if we could do something to raise awareness for gynaecological cancers and a few funds, that could help more people down the track, that was Deb’s aim.”

The pair had hoped they could convince 150 people to walk through some of Brucedale’s gardens, aiming to raise about $3,000.

About 650 people visited the gardens and raised $20,000 instead.

“It was a bit of a success,” Trevor said.

For 2022, six gardens can be explored, ending at Trevor’s home with market stalls and food vans.

There will be ice cream, coffee, homemade woodfired pizzas and a sausage sizzle, along with wares from Tumut River Brewery, Borambola Wines, Junee Licorice and Chocolate Factory, Dough Re Mi Cookies, Killer Pies and Rusty Barb Designs, among others.

Face painting and other children’s activities will also be on offer for younger garden enthusiasts.

Trevor hoped this year the event would raise $25,000.

“But the truth is, anything we can get is something we don’t have now,” he said.

“Deb’s aim was to try and make things better for people in the future.”

While Deb can’t be on hand this year, Trevor is sure she’ll be there in spirit.

“She’s out there helping us in the garden, I can assure you.”

The Brucedale Open Garden and Market Day will be held from 12 pm on Sunday, 23 October, starting at Brucedale Hall. Guests will be provided with a map of the gardens to explore, ending at the market. All proceeds will go to WomenCan.

Tickets can be purchased online, or on the day at Brucedale Hall, 1575 Olympic Highway, Brucedale.