December 15th, 2025Doing Cartwheels for Pamela’s birthday

Pamela Ansell is all about creating memories – which is why she asked The Cartwheels’ Dave Patterson and Wendy Phypers to play at her 68th birthday last weekend.
Plenty of friends turned up and most of her family from New Zealand and around Australia.

Nothing unusual there, except that Pamela was diagnosed with breast cancer almost six years ago and given just two years to live.
She’s still going strong, well, strong enough but has decided treatment is no longer an option. But, with luck and a strong will, she still plans on making her 70th birthday.
“I’ve tried every treatment available. I’ve come to the end of what’s available and decided I’m just going to let the cancer ride its way. I don’t want any more interference.”
With a big shout out to her medical team in Ballarat, Pamela is also keen to thank her husband Richard for his care – especially after moving from Daylesford to Ballarat.
“We moved from our farm in Daylesford so that I could be closer to all the treatments, and it was the best thing we ever did. He misses the ride-on mower but I’ve had about three episodes where I’ve stopped breathing, and he’s had to resuscitate me. Which is a bit scary.”
Pamela’s cancer started as a lump in one breast, followed by a biopsy, but it was already too late for a mastectomy. The cancer has since progressed into many of her organs.
But she is far from giving up on life. Travel around Australia and back to her home, New Zealand, has kept her busy, as have many catch-ups with family and friends.
“It’s so good to have something to look forward to. I’ve got incredible friends and family around me – including four adult children and eight grandchildren. Most of them were there on Saturday. They keep me going.
“I think when you have an illness, you’ve got to have things to look forward to. I keep myself happy and meet up with friends for coffees and have a good time still.
“Not to say every day is like that, I have my bad times too. Sometimes I wake in the night just feeling quite panicked, thinking, ‘I can’t do this’. The nights are the worst. But certainly having Richard, a partner to help is huge. I don’t know how people do it on their own.”
In their former life, Pamela and Richard had accommodation for more than 20 people in Daylesford and were always booked out. And before that, Richard worked in banking with the couple moving around the world with his corporate work, “halcyon days”.
Pamela said she asked Dave and Wendy to play because she loved their music and “it just makes the party a bit more special”. “We had a country group play for Richard’s 60th birthday and people are still talking about that. It leaves a lovely memory.”
Pamela said she also wanted to remind people to make sure they had their mammograms and kept up with their tests. “I left mine a bit long, I think.
“Now I just want nice memories with the kids and friends. Making the most of what I have. At least I have had time to prepare for things like the songs I want at my funeral. I’m not hugely religious but I do believe there is a God there.”