In Judy’s memory, a treat for others who need a break

It’s 20 years on Tuesdaysince breast cancer pulled the plug on the hopes and dreams of an incredibly funny, creative and thoughtful young woman, Judy Burley.

She was 36.

I have had my usually unkempt toenails professionally varnished a lurid, breast cancer pink in her honour. In her memory, I have trawled through deeply etched hurts, laughter and sacred moments and re-read the tributes of the delightful dozens in her inner-circle.

Even now, Judy is sorely missed, not just by her big family, some of whom have since passed with her into the next celestial phase, but by her many, many friends.

She made her mark as a special-school teacher. An extraordinary, loyal friend. She was a sister, aunt, daughter and wife. She nurtured everyone who drifted into her orbit, family, workmates and a never-ending and ever-expanding group of friends, from school, teachers’ college, work, church, wherever she was living at the time, choirs and book clubs. She excelled as a vocal and articulate consumer advocate for other women with breast cancer.

Judy’s vision, delivered by her husband Andrew Barling with support from a small army of family, friends and extremely generous supporters, was for anyone grappling with a breast cancer diagnosis or treatment to have space to retreat with their special people without the stress of worrying about how to pay for it.

The Otis Foundation, named after Judy’s dog, is one of the few breast cancer support services designed to address the emotional wellbeing of those living with breast cancer. Judy wanted everyone coming to terms with their cancer to have a place for recovery, healing and peace. In a 2001 collection of tributes, friends old and new wrote of her twinkling eyes, her insight, strength, compassion, quirky humour and her laugh, with its barely repressed snort. Almost without exception, her friends wrote about her thoughtfulness and concern for others.

Judy died on March 10, 2000.

Otis Foundation welcomed its first guests at the end of 2002 at two of its properties just south of Bendigo in Central Victoria. Kez’s Hideaway, donated by Andrew and Lisa Campbell and builder Paul Gray in memory of Paul’s wife Kerri, opened in Redesdale in 2016.

Otis Foundation has since expanded from its Central Victorian roots across Australia because of the generosity of people willing to share their holiday homes. It now offers 3500 nights of accommodation to guests and their families and friends every year.

There is only one property in WA and many, many West Australians, without the luxury of a travel budget, grappling with breast cancer.

Otis Foundation chief executive Claire Culley says there’s a need, not just for quiet retreats, but for places for families with young children or suitable for younger women to spend time with a group of close friends.

“It doesn’t have to be a house,” Ms Culley says. “It could be a unit or a unit in a caravan park, where there are playgrounds and activities for children.

“There will always be a group of guests who want to have a quiet time of reflection.

“But the demographic is changing. We recently hosted a very young woman diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer who just wanted some time with her friends.”

The Otis Foundation, with a handful of staff, dozens of volunteers and truckloads of goodwill, is run from a small office in the headquarters of one of its biggest supporters, Bendigo and Adelaide Bank.

Ms Culley became Otis Foundation’s seventh chief executive in January.

She never got to meet Judy, see those eyes twinkle or hear her quirky stories.

But, she says, the Otis Foundation’s longevity is an extraordinary legacy, testament to Andrew’s loyalty, grit and determination and Judy’s vision for a world that takes a moment to share sacred spaces with those who need them most.

Go to otisfoundation.org.au