On stage with Olivia at the Myer Precious Metal Ball 2011

Hearing the great news that the Victorian Government would assist with funding the completion of the Olivia Newton-John Cancer & Wellness Centre at the Austin Hospital site in Heidelberg, Melbourne, was like a Call to Action, a flash of realisation for me.

I spent several months in the children’s ward at the Austin Hospital over fifty years ago, fighting against eye cancer.  I came through this, although without eyesight, and now to have a wonderful new treatment and research centre for people with cancer and support for their families, all in one place, is such a huge step forward.

My Call to Action lead me to offer my speaking services to the big fundraising event, The Myer Precious Metal Ball in May 2011.  I was excited and felt right on track as I prepared to travel to Melbourne for the black tie event, where Olivia would introduce me on stage to tell my story.  With a new ball dress and a black bow tie for my guide dog Elton, we spoke to an audience of 950 and received a standing ovation as we left the stage.

In the next 10 minutes, the generous donations mounted up to $230,000 to add to the rest of the total for the evening.

We are looking forward to the opening of the Olivia Newton-John Cancer & Wellness Centre in 2012.  It was a blessing to me to give my expertise and story to this event and to experience so many gifts in return.

To see more details on this centre, go to www.oliviaappeal.com

Judith & Elton with Dr Ken Michael AC.

A huge thank you to my friend and an amazing woman, Mabel Laidlaw – an Events Coordinator and Careers Counsellor.  Mabel recently nominated me to be one of a hundred women in Western Australia being inaugurated in a Hall of Fame to celebrate one hundred years of the recognition of women’s achievements in conjunction with International Women’s Day.

I am excited to be working with journalists to make a short video to highlight my life and achievements for the Nomination Selection and Induction evening on March 7, at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre.

This opportunity allows me a chance to honour my wonderful parents who helped me to aspire and achieve from an early age.

International Women’s Day is held on 8th March every year.  Go to www.powerof100.com.au for more information about the event in WA and to see the full list of the International Women’s Day Centenary Hall of Fame Inductees.    View more  photos from the event here.

Employment and esteem from having purposeful work is important to everyone, and I was able to convey the importance of career choices and directions for someone who may have a disability.  This is how I show that is possible, as well as purposeful, for individuals and society.

It seems to me that we ALL have limitations or so-called “disabilities”, seen or unseen.

Some people have learning disabilities; there are emotions which disable people, no one is perfect; yet we can all aspire to live our best lives and reach out for our hearts desires.

Wishing all, a Happy and Inspired New Year.

I am thankful to God that He is using me to teach in a small group of Christians and I have faith that with Gods grace and power, my reach and scope will extend greatly, internationally and where God leads me.

If so and if you fly with Qantas on any international or national flight in Australia,you can hear my interview with Julie McCrossin on the RadioQ Up and Away travellers programme.

Hope you catch me in flight and if not check back in March 2009 for a link to that interview.

It was fun!