Two young members of the Crestani family were the stars of a special presentation in Port Macquarie on Friday, with Charlie Raatz, 11, and his sister Sophie, 6, receiving medals in recognition of their part in a donation initiative established by their family in honour of Chris Crestani.
Member for Port Macquarie Robert Dwyer MP joined the family at the presentation, which marked a $50,000 contribution from Crestani Scholarships to support education and training for cancer care professionals on the Mid North Coast.
Crestani Scholarships is a volunteer-run charity founded in 2007 by Yvonne Crestani in memory of her late husband Chris, who served for 40 years as Chief Radiation Therapist at St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney and was a lifelong advocate for young professionals continuing to learn and improve their skills.
Now celebrating its 20th anniversary, the charity has awarded more than 50 scholarships since 2008 and donated just under $1 million to cancer care, education and research, including $160,000 in the past financial year alone. Its newest program, Higher Education in Radiation Oncology (HEIRO), provides substantial donations that allow major cancer centres to build and run their own education and training programs.
Mr Dwyer said the presentation was a moving reminder of what one family's commitment can achieve.
“Seeing Charlie and Sophie step up to receive their medals, carrying forward a legacy that began with their great-grandfather, was the highlight of the afternoon,” Mr Dwyer said.
“Yvonne turned her grief into something that has now given close to a million dollars to cancer care, education and research, and every dollar of it has been raised by volunteers. That is an extraordinary achievement.
“This $50,000 will help educate and train the Health staff who care for local cancer patients, and it is patients and families across our region who will benefit.”
Mr Dwyer thanked Yvonne Crestani, her grandson Joshua Raatz, Clare Raatz and the whole Crestani family, along with the donors, supporters and volunteers behind the charity.
“To have this support reach the Mid North Coast in the charity's 20th year is something our community can be proud of,” Mr Dwyer said.
For more information about Crestani Scholarships, visit crestanischolarships.org.au.
Photo: Joshua and Clare Raatz with their children Charlie, 11, and Sophie, 6, following the medal presentation.
Media Contact: Emma Walker 6584 0977
