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Connecting people and communities
Thursday, 5 June, 2014 Page 9
Memory kept By LACHLAN MOORHEAD A 30 SECOND phone conversation was all it took for her world to change. It was a February afternoon last year when Fawn Brady was told over the telephone that her little brother and best friend, Kane, had taken his life at the age of 23. “That phone call, that 30 second phone call changed my life and Jess’s life, because Jess was the first person I called to say ‘get to my house’,� Fawn said. “From that point I then went from living quite a normal structured life, with an immaculate home and in the click of a finger I had my mum, my step-dad, my two little brothers and sisters that I had to then tell. I had to deal with coroners. “In that six months I didn’t have time to think, I didn’t have time to breathe, sometimes.� Fawn and Jess White, both 26, had been inseparable since they were teenagers at Berwick Secondary College so there was never any doubt who Fawn would turn to in the wake of the tragedy. Also inevitable is how they have used Kane’s passing as an opportunity to assist all those like him who are in need of help but don’t always know where to find it. Fawn and Jess began Kane’s Crusade
in August - a depression support and awareness group specialising in, but not restricted to, helping young men. The Kane’s Crusade Facebook page has amassed more than 5000 likes in less than a year, while the group’s first trivia night is set for 9 August where donations to the cause are being welcomed. “It started out people liking the page, people commenting and then people started contacting us saying ‘this had happened to me’, or then there were ones where people said ‘I feel like I am Kane’, ‘I’m living Kane’s life’, ‘I don’t know where I can get help from’,� Jess said. “We don’t claim to be medical professionals, we’re not health professionals, we’re just there to talk and we’re there to support.� And they have spread that support far and wide, even visiting patients in health facilities to lend a helping hand, where Fawn believes their age helps her and Jess relate to those young men who are struggling. Kane’s Crusade has its beginnings six months after her brother’s passing, when Fawn finally had a moment to herself and found inspiration in music. “I’d lived such a hectic life for so long in that first six months that I sat on the couch and everything was quiet, there
was no one in the house and I heard a musician that I’m really inspired by - 360,� Fawn said. “A song came on that Jess has always said is about me - Miracle in a Costume. “This (Kane’s Crusade) can be a miracle in a costume because the lives that we have, can and will continue to keep on saving, really is that miracle.� Now formally trained in Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST), Fawn and Jess have huge plans for Kane’s Crusade, including their hope of introducing an ‘ALIVE’ centre to the City of Casey - a facility specifically for people suffering from depression where they could get medical treatment, physiotherapy, alternative medicines and counselling all under one roof. Having set a fund-raising target of $50,000 to get the centre started, Fawn and Jess hope a trivia night will be a significant step towards realising their dream. For more information on Kane’s Crusade or to get involved with the trivia night, visit https://www.facebook.com/ Kanescrusade, or www.kanescrusade.net. Those who need immediate assistance or to talk to someone they can trust can visit beyondblue.org.au, call Suicide Helpline Victoria on 1300 651 257 or Lifeline on 131 119.
Jenny’s fight goes on
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Victoria’s Largest and Most Vibrant Municipality
Community Grants 2014/2015 Information Sessions
By BRIDGET COOK THE local community will come out swinging in the fight against cancer this weekend to honour the legacy of Casey’s Jenny Black. The Narre Warren mother and her children Adam, Renae and Bianca had been busy organising the Jen’s Charity Baseball Match for this Saturday, 7 June. Sadly Mrs Black lost her battle with cancer on Tuesday but the event will still go ahead with more gusto than before. The event was to be Mrs Black’s last attempt at raising as much money as she could to go towards the Cranbourne Narre Relay for Life, of which she was a committee member and keen participant. Her children and the community will ensure the event will go head this Saturday and have urged the community to get behind the fundraiser to raise much-needed money for prevention and finding a cure for cancer. Mrs Black had twice survived breast cancer in the past, but it recently returned again
Fawn Brady, left, and Jess White are driven to achieve their goal of building an ‘ALIVE’ centre in the City of Casey, a new type of facility to cater for people suffering from depression. Picture: DONNA OATES
Applications are now open! Not-for-proďŹ t community groups and organisations can apply for up to $3,000 to provide programs and events that beneďŹ t the Casey community.
Jen’s Charity Baseball Match will take place this Saturday in memory of Jenny Black, who lost her battle with cancer this week. with a vengeance. She has been involved in many aspects of the community, particularly the Relay for Life and the Casey arts movement. She supported the development of young people in the arts as president of the BATS Theatre Company and volunteered her expertise for a range of production and co-ordination roles for more than 12 years, including mayoral arts concerts, Star Search, Casey Idol and People
in the Parks events. In 2010 she was announced as the recipient of the 2010 Lindsay King Arts Initiative Award. Jen’s Charity Baseball Match will take place at Cyril Molyneux Reserve, Mansfield Street, Berwick, this Saturday from 2.30 to 5pm. For more information or to donate to the day, call Louise Higgins on 0400 688 586.
Applicants are encouraged to attend an information session. These will be held on: Ĺ˜ :HGQHVGD\ -XQH DPĹŽ DP Balla Balla Community Centre, 65 Berwick-Cranbourne Road, Cranbourne East Ĺ˜ :HGQHVGD\ -XQH SPĹŽ SP &LW\ RI &DVH\ 0DJLG 'ULYH 1DUUH :DUUHQ A workshop to assist community members to apply online is also available: Ĺ˜ 0RQGD\ -XQH SPĹŽ SP /HYHO ĹŽ 9HUGXQ 'ULYH 1DUUH :DUUHQ Bookings are essential. To book, contact City of Casey Customer Service RQ For grant guidelines and further information visit www.casey.vic.gov.au/fundingandgrants. $SSOLFDWLRQV FORVH DW SP )ULGD\ -XO\ 1137542-EG22-14
THE CITY OF CASEY’S WINTER ARTS FESTIVAL
INCLUDES SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE There’s a range of arts events and activities across the municipality and many activities are low cost or free!
a r d t n s a f s u p n o h s k for the whole family! Wor
For a program brochure, contact City of Casey Customer Service on 9705 5200 or visit www.casey.vic.gov.au/winterartsfestival. 1138728-CB23-14