A Shocking Diagnosis

In 2016, everything changed. Liam was 18 and in his first year at university when his mum mentioned an ulcer on her tongue that wasn’t going away. She was preparing to travel to the UK, but a friend encouraged her to get it checked before she left.

“Mum was completely healthy before that,” Liam says. “She went to Shepparton Hospital where they took some bloods. When the results came back, they told her to go straight to Melbourne. By the Monday, she was at the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Centre and the doctor told her she had cancer. It was stage four leukaemia. From there, everything happened so quickly.”

Treatment began immediately, but the family soon learned it wasn’t working. “She had radiation for about a month, then completed her next round of chemo a week later at home. It was very emotional,” says Liam. “When she was admitted to the cancer centre again, she was told things weren’t getting better. Mum came home to be comfortable and say goodbye to everyone. She was diagnosed in June and passed away in August, at just 42.”

The Hidden Burden of Distance

For Liam’s family, the emotional toll of the diagnosis was compounded by geography. “From our farm it was about a two-hour drive to Melbourne, so a four-hour round trip,” Liam explains. “Dad was doing that constantly, sometimes six trips back and forth. He wanted to be with Mum as much as possible, but he also had a farm to run. It was really hard to balance everything.”

It’s a challenge familiar to many rural families: wanting to be by the side of their loved ones, while also keeping life afloat at home. “For families who live even further away, four or five hours from Melbourne, it would be really tough. I couldn’t imagine having to do a ten-hour round trip to get treatment,” says Liam.

Community Support

Stories like Liam’s are the reason FDC focuses on giving initiatives year-round. Since 2022, FDC has raised more than $2.7million for charities with a personal connection to our team.

“Each year, we select a grassroots organisation where our donation can have genuine impact,” says FDC Victoria General Manager, Cam Jackson. “In honour of Liam and his mum, we are proud to dedicate the 2025 Golf Day to supporting the Fight Cancer Foundation, which funds groundbreaking blood cancer research and provides vital accommodation for patients and families undergoing treatment. Their centres in North Melbourne and Albury Wodonga give families like Liam’s a home away from home during the hardest of times.”

This year, FDC is targeting a record fundraising goal of $100,000. Money raised will go directly towards helping families in need – equivalent to 1,333 nights of accommodation, a week’s stay for 190 families, or essential goods for more than 2,200 families spending their first night away from home.

Liam has been part of FDC for just over five years. “What initially drew me to FDC was the reputation for delivering high-quality projects and the strong focus on people and relationships, both within the business and with clients,” he says. “What I enjoy most however is the teamwork, and seeing people rally together for a project, for one another and for causes making a significant difference to people’s lives.”

“Having grown up in a rural town, I’ve seen firsthand how challenging it can be for families needing to travel long distances for treatment. An accommodation centre in the area would make a huge impact to so many, offering support and stability during what’s often a really difficult time,” he says. “If we’d had access to a facility like that instead of travelling for hours at a time to treatment, it would definitely have made things less stressful.”

Liam says the Golf Day isn’t just about raising money, it’s about honouring his mum, supporting others, and remembering what truly matters. “I wish I’d had more time with Mum. Through losing her, I’ve learned the importance of being more present with those around you and being grateful for the moments you get to spend with them. Reflect on your relationships with family and friends and always be thankful for the time you have together.”