Advanced Breast Cancer Support Group

The Meetings

The meetings are held the second Wednesday of each month.

Venue:City Golf Club, South St. Toowoomba.The meeting room is quiet and private away from the general public.

Time: 11am–1pm. Complimentary coffee and food provided.

Please contact the Blush Breast Care Nurses with any queries. They are happy to answer any questions and support your inclusion in the group.
Contact your breast care nurse for a referral to the group, they would be happy to answer any questions & support your inclusion within the group.

A Little About the Group

Living with a diagnosis of advanced breast cancer can be a confronting and isolating experience. Connecting with other women who understand the experience has for many people has been a comfort and support. The Toowoomba & Darling Downs Advanced Breast Cancer Group is focused on sharing information and lived wisdom of coping with advanced cancer – women supporting women. Facilitated by a psychologist & breast care nurse, the group is responsive to the interests and needs of its members. Listen or contribute to discussions, the choice is yours.



You Are Welcome to Join Our Group

If you would like to join the ABC Support Group or just want a bit more information, email one of our Breast Care Nurses:

Gaye Foot: footg@sath.org.au
Tahlia Pauli: paulit@sath.org.au

Facilitators

Gaye

Breast Care Nurse, St Andrews Hospital Toowoomba 
Gaye completed her Certificate of Registration at the Toowoomba Base Hospital in 1987. 

After working extensively as a facilitator with Deacon University in Geelong Gaye completed a Ba of Nursing in 2001. It became obvious Gaye’s interests and passions were in Women’s Health and she completed a Graduate Certificate in Women’s Health at The University of Newcastle in 2003. 

Gaye worked with TAFE Toowoomba as a facilitator with the EEN course, along with predominantly surgical positions throughout the Eastern states, finally coming to St Andrew's Toowoomba Hospital in 2008 in a surgical admissions role. 

In 2012 a part time position became available in the Diagnostic Breast Clinic as a breast nurse and this prompted Gaye to undertake the further studies completing a Graduate Certificate in Nursing (breast care) in 2014, which led Gaye to the position of Specialised Breast Care Nurse at St Andrews Toowoomba Hospital.  From that time until now, Gaye has loved this role and takes much pride and joy in it. 

During COVID and lock downs Gaye decided to commence her Masters in Nursing and is currently finishing this study. She is very passionate about providing the best possible breast cancer support and care to the ladies and men in the Downs and surrounds. 

Gaye is married to Bob they have three beautiful children and 6 equally delightful grandchildren. Gaye loves to travel, the beach, golf and reading.

Alex

Clinical Psychologist
Alex Bryant is a clinical psychologist who works in private practice in Toowoomba. She has been working with people across their lifespan and across public and private health settings for over 20 years. .Alex completed her tertiary education with Macquarie University and the University of New England in New South Wales and then the University of Southern Queensland for the Clinical Masters program. Whilst she is passionate about individual therapy, as a group facilitator for our Wednesday meetings, Alex loves supporting the meaningful and authentic connections that are formed from this group. As a life-long learner, Alex approaches her role as facilitator with curiosity and appreciates that it is individuals that come to the group with their own unique perspectives and experiences. Through compassion, creativity and playfulness a safe space is shared, where both laughter and tears are welcome.

Mary

Registered Nurse & Breast Care Nurse,
St Andrews Hospital Toowoomba
Mary was born and grew up in Ireland. She trained at St James’s Hospital in Dublin and first registered as a RN in 1980. 

Mary emigrated to Australia in 1986. As well as general nursing qualifications Mary has completed certificates in Midwifery and Mental Health Nursing. In 2001 Mary completed a Ba Nursing followed by post graduate studies in Cancer Nursing in 2003. 

 Mary has a long career in acute Cancer Care having held nurse management positions in Medical Oncology and Radiation Oncology at St Andrews Hospital, Toowoomba. She has been a Breast Care Nurse since 2018. In addition to this current role Mary also works as a practice nurse with Dr Eric Donaldson and Dr Ian Ng who are both Breast and General surgeons in Toowoomba. 

 Outside of work Mary is married to Peter and has three wonderful children. Mary loves travelling, catching up with family, reading, gardening, walking and being outdoors and active. 

 Mary is proud to be a member of the Blush committee. Through her work she continues to make a difference to women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer.

Patient Support

Advanced Breast Cancer Support Group