The group of about 100 held a mini-field of women ceremony at John Wright Park, where they planted pink ladies and enjoyed a morning tea, complete with birthday cake.

Along with the pink, a number of white ladies also were to honour members who could no longer participate in the event.

Verelle Miller understands the value of focusing on the little moments of life. 

“I like to enjoy the moment; I’m lucky to still be here, and I’m glad that I’m able to play golf and enjoy my life,” she said.

Varelle was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009, after she found a lump while preparing for her husband’s 70^th birthday.

“I thought oh well, I’ll go (to the doctor) on Monday, which I did, and I had a mammogram and ultrasound,” she said.

“When the doctor rang me and said ‘we need to see you urgently’, I knew then that something was wrong. I had the lumpectomy, and then I had chemo therapy and radiation.”

Varelle believed her experience was made easier by a strategy she found to help her throughout the treatment.

“I went to a bowen therapist before I had the chemo, and that helped me with the operations, and getting my body in the best balance I could, and I think that really helped me. When I see what a lot of people go through, it makes me realise I was lucky.”

Since her experience, Varelle has had a great appreciation for the work that Breast Friends undertakes, and the support it provides.

“Events like this are so important, some people just stay at home and suffer in silence, which isn’t how it should be when we have this sort of support available,” she said, and she’s not the only one who thinks so.

Breast Friends hospital librarian Barbra Dolahenty was eager to get the Breast Friends message out into the community.

“Our aim is giving a high profile to the breast cancer movement,” she said.

“We do a lot of fundraising, and we like to invest that money to help people who are having a rough time, but we also send a lot away to breast cancer research.

“We are doing what we think is the right thing to do with the money that we raise.”

“Look Good, Feel Better is another supportive initiative run by a few hairdressers in the area,” Varelle said.

“They help people feel better about losing their hair from chemo with lots of sparkly hats. That was one of the worst things for me, it’s demoralising losing all your hair. 

Full story and more photographs are on-line.