EDITORIAL: EVERYONE struggles to cope after the death of a beloved partner, especially if that person has been taken too early.
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And although Vicki Jellie was shattered after the death from cancer of her husband Peter in 2008, aged just 49, his premature passing also lit a fire in her heart.
While working through her crippling grief she vowed that Peter’s death would not be in vain and the extraordinary campaign that has been Peter’s Project was born.
Almost six years on and a cancer care centre for Warrnambool and the south-west has become a reality, thanks to the Herculean efforts of Ms Jellie and the project committee.
The story has been told many times: how Vicki and the team badgered politicians for tens of millions of dollars in funding, how they never gave up and how they raised a staggering $5 million in just nine months. It is an inspiring tale of determination, commitment and generosity of spirit.
Ms Jellie was recently made a Paul Harris Fellow by the Rotary Club of Warrnambool East, the highest honour Rotary can bestow upon someone for outstanding achievement.
No one could argue that Ms Jellie was a worthy recipient of the award, only two of which are handed out each year and normally to Rotarians.
Ms Jellie is not a Rotarian, but club vice-president Joe Baptiste said Rotary sometimes gave the award to non-Rotarians who were exceptional individuals.
Typically, Ms Jellie deflected praise saying that, while she was delighted to have been made a Paul Harris Fellow, it was the community that truly deserved the credit.
She’s right. By any measure Peter’s Project has been one of this community’s crowning glories.
By pulling together and getting behind the dreams of a courageous and unassuming woman, something truly magnificent has been achieved for all.
She’d never admit it but it would never have happened without the tenacity and grit of Vicki Jellie.
Something tells us that this won’t be the last honour that comes her way.