Paula, the most obvious question I've got to ask relates to your maiden name, which was World. Did you cop much rubbish from your schoolmates when you were growing up?
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Yes. It was a great joke among my schoolmates that my maiden name was World. There would be some days when kids would walk around me and say they have just walked around the world. I was the butt of plenty of jokes at primary and secondary school.
My dad also copped a lot. He was known as Mr World. It was all quite funny back in that era.
What did you study at the Agriculture College at Glenormiston?
I studied horse management, but my life was tipped upside down when I was 18.
Can you please give me an insight into how your life was tipped upside down?
I was living on the campus and was suffering with bone pain when I found out that I had McCune-Albright syndrome, which is a complex genetic disorder affecting the bone, skin and endocrine systems.
There are some people who suffer bone fractures and deformity of the legs, arms and skull if they get the syndrome. In my case, I had to have surgery to my left leg.
What did the surgery consist of on your left leg?
I had two rods inserted into my left leg. The first rod goes from my knee to my ankle, while the other hip goes from the side of my thigh to my hip.
The operation meant an end to my sporting dreams. I had played junior netball with Dingley and represented Springvale and District in netball carnivals before I went to agriculture college.
But having McCune-Albright syndrome meant my sporting career was over. It was all devastating news.
I still get bone scams down regularly to make sure I don't have any issues.
I ended up getting a job as a veterinary nurse in Camperdown when I left agri college.
I stayed there for 10 years and went back to university at Deakin in Warrnambool with the view of being a teacher.
I studied for more than five years and ended up getting a job in 2006 as a primary school teacher at St Patrick's Primary School in Camperdown.
I'm now the librarian teacher at St Pat’s after being a classroom teacher.
It's a wonderful school to be involved in, as the staff are all great people.
We've got more than 330 students, which is a very good number.
I received amazing support from the staff and parents of students at the school in 2012 after news of a health problem.
Do you wish to talk about that health problem?
l’m fine talking about it. I was diagnosed with breast cancer at Easter in 2012. I had surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment. I was off teaching for the rest of 2012.
I got involved with the McGrath Foundation while I was having treatment.
Our two boys were playing cricket with Camperdown Cricket Club and I asked if we could have a Pink Stumps Day. The club jumped on board with the idea and we had our first Pink Stumps Day in 2013.
The day raises money for women who are going through treatment and their families plus to assist nursing staff who look after patients.
The day has turned into an annual event. This year's Pink Stumps Day will take place on February 18.
Camperdown Cricket Club has been a magnificent supporter of the day, and so have many local businesses.
The club only has one senior side and this year we play Boorcan on the Saturday, while we've got a golf day planned for the Sunday.
It's the first time we've had a golf day, at this stage we've had great response.
We encourage anyone to come along to the cricket on the Saturday which will be played at Camperdown’s Lakes Recreation Reserve and the golf on the Sunday.
How much money has the day raised for the foundation since it started?
We've raised $18,000, which is a remarkable result.
We’ll have raffles and a barbecue at both events.
Paula, what’s your health like now?
Very good. I have regular check-ups.
I had my surgery at St John of God Hospital in Ballarat and travelled to Geelong for my radiotherapy. Warrnambool’s Terri Hayes is my oncologist.
I've been really lucky because I've had a great group of medical staff including nurses supporting me, plus my family and friends.
My husband Jamie and our two children have been wonderful with their care and understanding.
I've spoken at a couple of pink events about my journey with breast cancer.
I also spoke at Camperdown’s Relay for Life event in 2015.
It was very humbling and I was so proud to speak at the event. My family was there. I think that made the day more special.
I know I've been very lucky because of the support I've received from the community of Camperdown and at St Pat’s has been overwhelmingly.
Are you involved in any official capacity at Camperdown Cricket Club?
I'm the secretary of the club and the junior co-ordinator. We've only got the one senior side and two junior sides.
The numbers in the senior ranks have dropped back over the last few years because of people having other commitments.
Blokes are now training for footy three nights a week, which has taken a big toll on our numbers.
We've got good numbers coming through our junior program.
The club hopes to build on that in the future.
Away from cricket, do you have any other sporting interests?
Our two boys play footy at Cobden. We’re volunteers down there, doing different jobs like cleaning the jumpers, but our involvement is not as much as it is with the cricket.