Members of the Remember Me organising committee with the artwork that will be auctioned at the September event.
Photo by
Simon Ruppert
A bike ride 12 years ago was what inspired a group of friends to turn their grief into action – which has resulted in one of Seymour’s most anticipated fundraising events.
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Sarah Locke, who passed away from breast cancer in 2022, adored the Pink Petal Party, a fundraiser involving a very pink bike ride from Rutherglen to Wahgunyah run by Cofield Wines.
Twelve years ago, Sarah and her friends attended the event, which donates its proceeds to the Albury Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre.
Even since her passing, those whose lives were touched by Sarah continue to wear the pinkest outfits and whip out their wheels.
“(The Cofield Wines owners) lost their mum to breast cancer, and at the time Sarah was battling breast cancer,” Alison Elliott said.
“Four of us started doing it. It went from four and now, depending on the year, we might have 18 of us going.
“We always envisaged stealing that concept and bringing it here.”
In 2020 amid COVID-19 lockdowns, the group actually did bring the event to town after it was cancelled.
Riding around the streets of Seymour, it managed to raise about $1000 for cancer research, a testament to how important the cause is to the community.
After Sarah passed, the people she left behind knew they needed to act.
“We always wanted to do it, but we never actually got off our behinds to get it going,” Ms Elliott said.
“When Sarah died, that was the catalyst for us to actually do something.”
The day begins with canapés at Wine X Sam.
Go Seymour’s first Remember Me event was held four years ago.
The day is all about reflecting on the people we have lost, remembering their legacy and continuing to celebrate their memory.
First donating to larger men’s, women’s and children’s charities, the event has raised vital funds for the Lower Hume Palliative Care Unit, which is operated out of Seymour Health, since 2023.
Over the years, the event has supported the delivery of important items for the palliative care team, as well as training to provide dignity therapy, a type of therapy which supports patients to navigate and approach death.
While the bike ride is omitted from the Seymour event, the day involves a long walk between destinations to allow attendees to reflect.
Beginning at Wine X Sam for canapés, the group walks or drives along Anzac Ave to Seymour Racing Club, ending the day outside beneath wisteria trees at Brave Goose Wines.
“It’s not a birthday or an anniversary, but it’s an opportunity to reflect on the people that we’ve loved and lost, because we all have people,” Ms Elliott said.
“There’s all these steps through losing somebody or even going through it yourself. It’s about sharing that experience to make it easier on other people.”
This year’s theme, growth, will allow attendees to realise they can grow from their grief and move on without leaving behind the person they lost.
So far, local businesses such as Little Stones cafe and The Brewer's Table have got on board with the event, and money has been raised within the community.
Go Seymour is inviting anyone who wishes to donate time, products or money to support the important event.
Remember Me 2026 will be held on Friday, September 25, from 11am to 4pm.
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