23 April 2024
A special afternoon tea gathering at Horsham Town Hall next month will honour a much-loved mother while delivering an important message on heart health.
Horsham business owner Judy Carter will tell her heart disease story at the Love Your Mum event to honour and remember Horsham mum Susan Schilling who passed away from a heart attack in November, 2021. Captain Tom Ryan of the Royal Flying Doctors Service will lead a four-piece band to entertain the gathering.
Susan Schilling had once told Horsham sisters Teresa and Mary Marchesini that Horsham should have a Mother’s Day event, so the pair plan to cook up a storm in memory of their friend. Teresa said Susan’s passing had given them good reason for honouring her vision by having an afternoon tea and celebrating what would have been her 60th birthday.
“We will also use the event to raise funds for the Royal Flying Doctors Service and Grampians Health because both play a vital role with the treatment and prevention of cardiac disease in our community,” Teresa said.
Mary said Susan lived life to the fullest.
“She was hardworking for her family, generous and intelligent. She could turn her hand at almost anything but most of all she was an adored mother and grandmother,” Mary said.
“This afternoon tea will remember Susan and remember mums or people who have taken on that role for others while encouraging everyone to take time for themselves around health checks. Susan put everyone before herself and then found herself in a situation where her heart disease was fatal.
“She lived in the service of others, and we find great comfort in knowing she was the woman we loved right until the end.”
The Marchesini sisters want families to bring their mothers to the event.
“If your mother is not able to attend for whatever reason then guests are welcome to bring a photo,” Teresa said.
The delicacies will be provided by Mary and Teresa who are usually at local markets selling their cakes, jams, sauces, and salad dressings along with a team of volunteers who will be assisting.
Captain Tom Ryan is RFDS Education Program Manager and is best known for touring Victoria with an aeromedical simulator to schools and community events. At the Love Your Mum event, he and his colleagues will be entertaining guests as Shrewd Brass – the Flying 4. Tom has performed for audiences across Australia, Singapore, New Zealand, and Hong Kong for over 30 years. The talented Trombonist has performed with orchestras and rock bands on television and radio in various genres.
Cardiac disease significantly impacts regional Australia, where residents often face higher rates of heart problems compared to urban areas. This is largely due to limited access to healthcare services as well as lifestyle factors and socioeconomic challenges. Cardiovascular disease is increasingly becoming a growing public health concern in Australia, having caused 600,000 hospitalisations in the country in 2020 -2021 while heart failure contributed to 15% of all deaths in 2021, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.
Tickets for the Love Your Mum event are priced at $50 each and are available now at Horsham Plaza Centre Management. For further information please contact Robyn Lardner at 0400 769 900 or phone 5382 0912. The event is being held on May 12 is from 1:30-4:30pm and includes afternoon tea and complimentary refreshments on arrival.
Guest speaker Judy Carter with her daughter Emma,
son-in-law Ben and grandchildren Mason and Mia.