General News
5 November, 2025
Funds raised for cancer research
A crowd of 70 people joined Grampians Health Edenhope's inaugural Pankind walk recently, raising $2598 for pancreatic cancer research.
In an emotional start to the event, Jessie Gillick-Walker shared the story of her father's shock pancreatic cancer diagnosis in January this year.
Just 69 days after that diagnosis, Wayne Gillick died.
The bombshell of the stage four diagnosis, with no possibility of treatment, was the reason Lynette Walker and her children Jessie and Ben partnered with Grampians Health Edenhope to stage its inaugural ‘Put Your Foot Down for Pancreatic Cancer’ walk.
“If there was early detection, maybe we could’ve found Wayne's cancer at stage one instead of at stage four, when there was nothing we could do,” Lynette said.
“We need to raise awareness because this is a hidden cancer and it creeps up on people without any clear symptoms.”
Community health nurse Cath McDonald, who staged the event, described the aggressive nature of pancreatic cancer and shared details of resources for individuals and families.
Attendees donned purple to demonstrate their support and were generous with cash donations.
The Gillick-Walker family had been working hard to raise money over several weeks, contributing $2000 to the cause.
Wayne had seen a list of specialists for several years before a neurologist recommended a specific blood test.
“It was that blood test that triggered further testing and within one day he was told he had four months until end of life,” Lynette said.
“The symptoms are so vague but, with more awareness, people might think of it and get onto it sooner.”
Wayne lived with Lynette on their Langkoop property for 28 years.
“He called it his ‘happy paddock’, with all the bird and kangaroos,” Lynette said.
“Wayne was such a character.
"He loved people and would talk to anyone – it didn’t matter who you were.
“We had a full life, camping and fishing and lots of family trips; he is so missed by his friends and family.”
