STAFF at Creek Street Christian College say the school is simply not the same without its former bursar, Bev Mole.
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It is for Ms Mole, who passed away from cancer in December 2014, that staff members have pulled together and registered a team in this year’s Relay For Life, which begins Friday, April 15.
Ms Mole, described as a larger than life character, was first thought to have gallstones when she fell ill in early 2014, but later that year it was discovered she had neuroendocrine cancer.
She had been a bursar at the school for 15 years, and had also worked there prior to taking on that role.
Teacher Kerryn Mackinder said she was a much-missed member of the staff team.
“She was hilarious,” Mrs Mackinder said.
“Everything was always fun – she made everything fun.”
The team has called itself the Creek Street Frogs for the back scratcher and key ring of Ms Mole’s that her sister sent down to be used as a baton, an item that should be on the track with a team member throughout the entire relay.
The key ring has an image of a frog on it and the acronym FROG, which stands for Fully Reliant On God.
It is a phrase that supported and comforted her during her illness, helping her maintain her usual cheerful attitude in the face of the fight she was undertaking.
The school had fielded teams of students and staff members in the event for several years as a way of getting involved in the community.
Following a break of a few years, this year’s team was brought together specifically to honour the memory of Ms Mole, as well as support the Cancer Council.
About 12 people are expected to walk with the team.
Mrs Mackinder said the school community had been supportive of the Creek Street Frogs in the lead up to the event.
The Bendigo Relay For Life will start at 6.30pm Friday night at the La Trobe University Bendigo Athletics Complex, with registrations open from 2pm.
Cancer survivors and carers will walk the first lap of the track, which will be followed by a candlelight ceremony.
The Bendigo event aims to raise a total of $180,000 and as of 4pm this afternoon, had generated nearly $92,000 in donations.
The money raised goes to the Cancer Council to fund its research and support programs.
These include free exercise programs for people with cancer and the provision of transport to and from hospital for treatment.
Relay For Life began in the USA in 1985 when when surgeon Dr Gordy Klatt spent 24 hours walking around a track to boost cancer awareness and raise funds for a local cancer charity.
