A FAMILIAR face on Mornington’s beaches is stepping it up for a fundraising campaign close to her heart.
Mornington beach patrol leader Susan Young – part of a volunteer group that regularly cleans and monitors beaches across Mornington – is fundraising for the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation (OCRF) after her best friend of 50 years, Michelle, was diagnosed with stage four ovarian cancer late last year.
Young said Michelle began treatment almost immediately after her diagnosis.
To raise funds for the OCRF, which is Australia’s leading independent funder of ovarian cancer research, Young has pledged to shave her head once she reaches her $5000 target.
Michelle has lost her hair and her voice due to chemotherapy and has suffered a broken arm and other complications, all while fighting for more time with her husband, three children and two young grandchildren.
The pair’s friendship spans decades. Young introduced Michelle to her husband, served as chief bridesmaid at their 1988 wedding, is godmother to their son and was present at the birth of their youngest child in 1995.
“As a lifelong educator it comes naturally to me to help open people’s eyes to things that can help them,” Young said.
“Cancer is on the rise, and everyone is affected directly or indirectly. We need to fund research to find more cures,” she said.
“The discomfort of shaving my head just before winter is nothing compared to what Michelle is going through and it’s important to me to show solidarity with her as a friend; it’s what friends do.”
“Her husband is a testicular cancer survivor, and they were at the forefront of the recovery effort after last year’s floods in Taree. They’re the kind of people you want on your side; they’d take off their last shirts for someone in need. I have to look after them and can’t do nothing.”
A public forum aimed at increasing awareness will be held in Mornington on May 20 at 6.30pm at The Bays Cancer Centre. The evening will include a guest speaker and discussion about symptoms and early detection, as well as Michelle’s lived experience.
“There will be discussion of what to look out for in symptoms and to encourage people to not just take more of an interest in their health but to notice changes in their own body and to seek attention early if something is unusual or feels different.”
The head shave will be a first for Young – at least for this cause.
“First time, although as a 17-year-old rebel I did have a crew cut after high school. My mother didn’t talk to me for 2 weeks,” she said.
The foundation’s fundraising marketing and event coordinator Abigail Russell said in Australia, fewer than 50 per cent of women and girls diagnosed with ovarian cancer would survive more than five years – “a figure unchanged for decades, highlighting disparities and gender inequities in research and care that demand urgent action”.
“OCRF is rewriting this story. Our vision is a future where those impacted by ovarian cancer can live healthy, vital lives. To achieve this, we are catalysing change and accelerating progress by increasing awareness, advocating for greater investment and equity, collaborating nationally and internationally, and strategically funding high-impact medical research,” she said.
“Every dollar we raise comes from the Australian community, driven by a shared determination to make our vision a reality.”
Community members are encouraged to support Young’s fundraiser by donating online at ocrf.com.au and searching ‘Research 60’ to find Young’s story.
Donations over $2 are tax deductible. Free tickets to the 20 May forum are available online at tinyurl.com/thebaysforum. Gold coin entry on the night.
First published in the Mornington News – 10 March 2026