THE Sunflower Pick at Beverford will this weekend donate to Swan Hill Palliative Care Community Services in memory of Elizabeth “Betty” Salau.
Owner and manager of the sunflower farm Michelle Singleton decided to dedicate the weekend to Betty, a close family friend of 30 years who died in December.
On Saturday morning The Sunflower Pick will be having a raffle draw, as well as a competition in which visitors will have to guess the weight of a sunflower head and the winner will get a prize – with all proceeds of the day going to palliative care.
“We knew we always wanted to do something for her,” Ms Singleton said.
“She was one of the first people to welcome our family when we moved to the area 30 years ago.”
“Being my mum’s best friend, after she passed away, it was always in my head for us to organise a day for her because she was just a beautiful person who had made a great contribution to the community through her nursing over the years,” Ms Singleton said.
Betty Salau started her nursing career at Kerang and went on to work at Jacaranda Lodge at Nyah.
After being a nurse for more than 40 years, she entered palliative care in an 18-month long battle with ovarian cancer.
Her daughter Annemaree Stacey cared for her in her last six months.
Ms Stacey described her mother as a “beautiful soul” and someone who was always grateful.
“People commented that she was still saying thank you right up until the day she passed away.”
Betty mentioned to her family how great palliative care was for her, which led to Ms Singleton’s decision to donate to Palliative Care Community Services.
After Ms Singleton and her husband established their farm, they always sent flowers to Betty.
“Over the years Betty always loved a bunch of our sunflowers.”
However, she was unable to make it to the farm due to her illness.
“It was one of her things that was on her list to do, but we didn’t quite get there,” Ms Stacey said.
“She always said that she wanted to come out (to the field) but was just too exhausted after her chemo,” Ms Singleton said.
The Sunflower Pick is at 108 Scottie Point Road, Beverford.
The farm will be open on Saturday from 10am to noon, with proceeds going to Swan Hill Palliative Care Community Services.
Donations from businesses are also welcome.
