By Olivia Condous
Star Weekly has looked back at our editions and picked out a selection of our favourite stories from 2022, including this one from June 14.
The Moorabool community is rallying behind a local family by braving the cold and raising money for a worthy cause.
The Bacchus Marsh and Greendale communities are raising funds for the Big Freeze 8, to fight for a cure for motor neurone disease (MND) and support local resident Phil O’Keefe in his battle against the condition.
The fundraising efforts will culminate at the Big Freeze in the Marsh football match between the Bacchus Marsh and Sunbury football clubs on Saturday June 11, with many local community members going down the slide and into the ice.
Mr O’Keefe’s wife Triss said the close-knit communities of Greendale and Bacchus Marsh were getting behind the family.
“Rather than fighting this battle on your own, it’s so great to have this support and understanding,” Mrs O’Keefe said.
Mr O’Keefe was diagnosed with MND in 2015 and has experienced a severe decline in his health over the past two years.
“It’s one of the most horrible afflictions one can have,” Mrs O’Keefe said.
The community has raised almost $9000 so far, with the money going towards FightMND.
Bacchus Marsh Football and Netball Club president Mark Farrell said while the cause had always been embraced by the football world thanks to the advocacy of Big Freeze founder and MND sufferer Neal Daniher, members of the local community had their own personal reasons to get involved.
“There’s a few locals at the club who have parents or grandparents who had motor neurone disease as well,” he said.
“If we can be part of the solution, that’s really good.”
Mr Farrell said one of the highlights on game day would be former Bulldogs player Doug Hawkins joining in on the day by going down the icy slide.
“He’s well known around the area and he’s a really good guy, people say he’s a celebrity but he’s really just a local,” Mr Farrell said.
The family is looking forward to the day on Saturday, after the event had been cancelled for the past two years due to the pandemic.
“Everybody is rallying together for a good cause and it’s a great way to come out of COVID and all catch up,” Mrs O’Keefe said.
“We’ve been in Greendale for 22 years, it’s such a great community and that extends to Bacchus Marsh as well.”
