The Trudy Crowley Foundation was created to break down the barriers of ovarian cancer…

and all that comes with it

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Meet our inspiration

Trudy Crowley

Trudy’s story is a beautiful one and the Foundation that commenced in her name is carrying on her legacy of love, compassion, education, and support for all women walking the journey of ovarian cancer.

When Trudy was diagnosed in 2016 with ovarian cancer, she was appalled to discover there was no support, literature or anywhere to turn to, to assist her with her diagnosis. Consumed with her fight to find information about this deadly disease, the only brochure available that was given to her, was information about breast cancer. Trudy found this totally outrageous and unacceptable.

This was the beginning and driving motivation of Trudy’s journey that saw her become a strong advocate within our region, spreading knowledge and education for women to recognise the signs and symptoms of this dreaded disease. This extended nationally to the Cancer Council, Ovarian Cancer Australia and even to the walls of Parliament. She used her story to raise funds to support her desire of bringing awareness to other women.

“Her mantra was, “Ovarian cancer may be a silent killer, but I’m NOT going to stay silent about it.””

— And she wasn’t.

Hence, the Trudy Crowley Foundation was in place before her passing in 2018. The Foundation’s aim is to raise awareness and vital funds, connecting people with the right information, support services, and resources that are readily available to them at this difficult time.

However, Trudy was much more than a fierce advocate of educating women about ovarian cancer. She also

Possessed a wicked sense of humour
Had a huge zest and passion for life
Was a loyal and loving wife, mother, nannie and friend
Loved Veuve champagne – she often referred to her chemo infusion as Veuve and strawberries
Would always say “Have to pull up my big girl pants” whenever she was experiencing a bad day
Was known as Trud’s or Troodles
Never, ever said “Why me?”
Loved huge belly laughs
Was inspirational
Was determined
Was tenacious
Was much loved and adored by all whose paths she crossed

The Trudy Crowley Foundation Board of Directors knew Trudy’s vision, shares her passion and is determined to continue to work in her memory.

Together, we can change the story of ovarian cancer.

— Trudy Crowley

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Meet our founder

Jacquie Camilleri

Jacquie met Trudy while she was volunteering at the Mater Hospital. It was Trudy’s first day of chemotherapy, and the two instantly clicked and became dear friends.

Trudy had told Jacquie, in December 2017, that she needed to step down from everything she was doing, to focus on her family for the last couple of months. Jacquie heard her dad’s voice, as clear as a bell, telling her “You just have to step up Jacq”, and this was when the idea of the Trudy Crowley Foundation was born.

Trudy had worked hard to raise awareness for ovarian cancer and advocated for people to know their bodies, and Jacquie didn’t want the momentum to stop. With Trudy’s blessing, the Foundation was formed in her name to honour and recognise all her work. The support the Foundation had from Mark McGrath and Suzanne Brown, with the development of the constitution, along with the ATO and ACNC, to get Deductible Gift Recipient status before Trudy passed was an absolute miracle.

“Trudy had done all this amazing work, and I realised there was nothing in our community that recognised all that she had done – the funds she had raised, the women she had helped, and all the people she would help into the future.”

— Jacquie Camilleri