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A legacy that lives on

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Meet the Makers

Meet the Makers

It was when rewriting his will, in light of the changing circumstances, that Tony indicated he would like to make a gift to Barwon Health once he passed.

“Dad said that he wanted to make sure Dr David Campbell and that team were supported in recognition for the help that they gave,” Shannan said.

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A life member at Newtown Cricket Club - in large part for his work with the Milo program - Tony’s skills as a mentor continued to shine through even in his most challenging days.

It was a final wish of Tony Gove’s that his family give back to Barwon Health’s Andrew Love Cancer Centre once he passed.

He had spent more time there than anyone would have liked him to after being diagnosed with prostate cancer at age 56.

The father of two - an adored teacher and enthusiastic cyclist - had dismissed symptoms for some time.

His score on the PSA test used to screen for prostate cancer – which measures the amount of prostate-specific antigen in your blood – was deceptively unproblematic. By the time they found the cancer, it had escaped his prostate. The doctors regrettably informed the family that, at best, they would have five more years together.

They had five years and four months.

With surgery no longer a treatment option, he began a month of daily radiation combined with hormone therapy once every three months. Tony’s wife Carmel - with whom he shared two adult children, Shannan and Sophie - said for three years, this combination kept his cancer at bay. He accompanied this with regular exercise where possible and a healthy diet at the advice of nutritionist Rob Claridge to help fight the disease.

“He always saw Dr David Campbell at Andrew Love. He had all of his radiation there and anytime he needed iron or blood transfusions,” Carmel said.

“He was very brave and never bemoaned his condition. He decided very early on that whatever time he had left, he would make the most of.”

By February 2020 Tony’s condition had deteriorated and the health service became like a second home.

“After that the calendars were full of appointments,” Carmel said. “It was amazing and such a relief to have access to care that close to home. My Mum died many years ago and had to travel to Melbourne for cancer treatment and it made it so much more difficult.”

“When he spent a week at University Hospital Geelong in the November before he passed, one of the women caring for him was a qualified teacher but she was working as an oncology nurse and looking to go back to the classroom,” Carmel said.

“He offered to review her resume one night and was calling his contacts trying to line up a job for her. That sort of thing was pretty constant for dad the whole way through,” Shannan recalls.

Not long after that stay, Tony transitioned to the palliative care team.

“At the beginning they came to the house every morning and then in the end he spent five days at the palliative care facility at the McKellar Centre,” Carmel said.

“They are amazing, truly fantastic.”

In every day since, Carmel, Shannan and Sophie have continued to take inspiration from Tony’s journey.

Shannan, along with wife Alice and best friend Dave, created a ‘Tour de Tony’ an event to raise money and awareness for prostate cancer which generated $60,000. For Tony’s family, the ultimate legacy is early detection and helping to improve the services which cared for him so they can continue to support the next local family in need.

“I think locally we are so fortunate to have the care and services we do. It’s about supporting those who support you,” Shannan said. “And to think that it is available to people without charge - we were amazed,” Carmel adds.

To make a donation to Barwon Health in memory of a loved one phone (03) 4215 8900.

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