Travelling with Tash

Through action, we make a difference

Beyond Blue

We knew we needed to do something for Tash - a challenge, a drawing together of the community that supported us.

And we needed to raise awareness of the impact of depression- for those suffering from it, for their families, and for the extended community. Beyond Blue was the right organisation to support us through this process, and we nominated them as the charity of choice for Tasha's funeral. They are doing so much good, and they certainly provided us with direction.

In March 2021, family and friends participated in the Gravel Giro at Warburton, a hilly gravel ride over 55km and 1200m elevation. As a tribute to Tash, we travelled through rain and sun, uphill and downhill, each of us challenging ourselves to our limits. We also used the event as fund-raiser for Beyond Blue, and through the process, I had the opportunity to tell Tasha's stories for the first time.

And in May 2022, with friends, we did the 30km Coastrek walk in Mornington Peninsula. Another place with memories of children playing in the sand, building dams and sandcastles with their cousins.

And this year, we rode in the Arapiles Cycling Event on 7 October 2023, in a team of 40 riders, 1/3 of all the riders at the event.. It was Mental Health Week, and Tash enjoyed climbing at Mt Arapiles with her brother.

Next year, I think we'll ride again...we shall see what time and space bring.

Please consider supporting Beyond Blue, Here's the link https://team.beyondblue.org.au/t/travellingwithtash

Lord Mayor's Charitable Fund

Tash loved Melbourne. She was a city girl, and having been away in Queensland for over 5 years , she was clear that Melbourne was her city. It was with such joy that she accepted the mid-year posting at Monash Health, and and we travelled back together to Melbourne in August 2019. In March 2020, she moved into her apartment in Brunswick East. She was finally back in the midst of her city.

We heard about the Lord Mayor's Charitable Fund (LMCF) through Compassionate Friends, a peer support organisation for grieving parents and siblings. Focussed on "Creating Positive Social Change in Greater Melbourne" LMCF is again the right organisation for us to support.

In August 2021, we set up an endowment fund in memory of Tash. Earnings on the fund are used annually for LMCF programs, or other charities we nominate. The "Travelling with Tash" fund will provide ongoing support for social initiatives in Melbourne through generations to come, and Tash you provided us the drive and reason to do it.

In November 2022, we confirmed that the distributions from this Tasha's fund will be allocated to the Homelessness programs funded by LMCF. Mental illness and homelessness are entangled, with each feeding the other.

If you would like to make a tax deductible donation to the "Travelling with Tash" endowment fund at LMCF, please follow this link http://lmcf.link/Tash.

University of Melbourne Medical School Scholarship

Tasha did her undergraduate studies at the University of Melbourne,. She had tried to get into the Monash direct entry medical course,, meeting the UMAT entry requirements but missing out on the interview. And so she selected the UoM Bachelor of Science, with a clear focus of pursuing the post-graduate medical course after that. However, the interview process triggered her anxiety, and once again, she missed out. She did not give up, and elected to go to Brisbane to do medicine at University of Queensland. A tough decision, leaving family and friends and starting a difficult course without her support network.

Tasha graduated as a doctor in December 2017. She was so proud of achieving this milestone, a goal set young and pursued with determination. From her first day as an intern, Tasha was fully immersed in the world of hospitals: the smiling doctor, skilful, caring and a team player. She was the quiet achiever – the one you could rely on.

Medicine was Tasha's calling, and the light through her tunnel. With its highs and lows, long days and late nights, lives saved and thankful patients, medicine is both rewarding and challenging. But in a system and culture that stigmatises mental illness, it can feel there is no way out when the darkness set in.

In June 2022, we set up a scholarship in memory of Tash within the medical school at University of Melbourne. The "Travelling with Tash" scholarship will be awarded to a medical student every four years. Students will be selected based on needs, and the scholarship will be awarded annually for the period of their course.

We would like to support the coming generations of doctors to carry on Tasha’s dreams. While they make a difference to patients’ lives, we ask too, that they work towards systemic change in hospitals for the betterment of mental health for doctors and healthcare staff.

The scholarship was awarded for the first time in May 2023, with Ms Madi McDonald as the first recipient.