BERNADETTE Phillips is like most women going through life changing circumstances, tragedy or the many other problems that come their way, she put on a brave face in public, but it was in those private moments when the enormity of her situation often hit her.
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As this year's Ambassador for the Ararat Mother's Day Classic, Bernadette completed 10 months of treatment for breast cancer last year, including chemotherapy and radiotherapy, but she overcame those dark moments and obstacles and faced the new year with positivity - all helped by a little bit of lipstick and pair of earrings.
"I feel good now, it would be different if you were still having treatment and there was still the unknown, but I've finished treatment and things are looking positive, I've no hesitation to get out there and show people you can get through it I guess," she said.
"I've always felt, too, that if I walked out the door and I've got my lipstick and my earrings on, I was alright."
While a very private person, Bernadette agreed to become the Mother's Day Classic ambassador and share her story in the hope that if she only helped one woman it would be worth it.
She also hopes to encourage women to be breast aware and to get checked out if they have any concerns, no matter how small.
"You've got to know your breasts, know any change and get to your GP as soon as you can. Don't lay in bed thinking about it like I did," she said.
Bernadette was diagnosed with breast cancer in March last year, after finding a lump in her breast.
"I found the lump and I was scared, and it took me some time before I told (husband) Don, and of course, what's he say? 'Get to the doctor'," she said.
"The doctor here was very good, straight way the next day he had me down to Ballarat for ultrasounds, mammograms, a surgeon's visit and then a biopsy and then that's the scary part. Once I had the biopsy it's the waiting, and that took four to five days because it was over the the long weekend in March.
"I was only 47, I've had a family history (grandmother and an aunt), but they were in their sixties and you don't think it will ever happen to you.
"That was hard, there were a lot of tears with Don, but you get the phone call that it is cancer, and obviously it's upsetting, but then you think right, we know what it is, you've go to move on."
"I was fit, I'm young I'm healthy, but I never thought why me, you have to deal with what comes ... I looked at it as an obstacle, a bump in the road."
Bernadette has taken part in the Mother's Day Classic since its inception seven years ago, never believing that one day she would one day be its ambassador, and still took part last year after her diagnosis.
"I've done it for seven years, a friend who I always walk with, her mother passed away six months before last year's Mother's Day Classic, so it was emotional for both of us, I remember being in tears," she said.
"That walk last year, that was when it was the unknown, I was thinking 'what I am in for?'. But once I saw the surgeon and he came up with this plan, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, you feel much more comfortable. But it's scary at first, of course it is," she said.
Bernadette underwent three chemotherapy cycles, a lumpectomy, another four months of chemotherapy and then four weeks of radiotherapy.
Two weeks after her first chemotherapy session her hair began to fall out. She opted for a 'buzz cut' and then a wig in a similar style to her own hair but while physically she was looking well, on the inside it was taking its toll.
"Physically I was really good, it probably affected me more emotionally. I would walk up the street and people would say 'oh you're looking good' and then I'd go home and burst into tears. I'm looking good, but am I really good on the inside?"
Already fit and healthy prior to her diagnosis, Bernadette kept up her exercise routine throughout treatment.
"I wanted to keep as normal as I could and I was able to because I was quite well through it and I kept up my exercise classes, or I was out walking, getting a bit of fresh air," she said.
Bernadette said her husband Don saw her at her worst, while 16 year old son Thomas was always 'good for a hug' when she had tears. Her other two sons, Stephen 20 and Nicholas 19, who are both studying at university, were also extremely supportive.
Bernadette praised the medical staff who assisted her through her breast cancer journey in Ballarat and the Stawell chemotherapy unit but in particular the help of East Grampians Health Service breast care nurse Sarah Carter, who provided a wealth of support and information.
"Sarah Carter is very good, she said if you want to have a cry, cry, you're probably better off to let it out if you can," Bernadette said, pointing out that you don't have to be strong all the time.
Despite finishing treatment Bernadette will take hormone therapy for five years and will have three monthly oncology/surgeon checks.
Now in its seventh year, this year's Mother's Day Classic will kick off at Richardson Oval this Sunday in Ararat and organisers hope to add to the more than $50,000 raised over past years.
Once again both the four kilometre and eight kilometre courses will start and finish at Richardson Oval in Golf Links Road. On the day registrations will commence from 9am with events beginning at 10am.
Bernadette is this year looking forward to the event and encouraging women to look after themselves.
"If it makes someone think 'Oh I'd better go and get it checked out', well it's worth it," she said.
"One in eight women are diagnosed with breast cancer, so please show your support.
"It is an emotional day, but get your family and friends out for a walk, help raise money and bring awareness about breast cancer."
After completing her treatment last year, Bernadette's motto was 'look out 2015' and with a new job at Latus Jewellers and the honour of being the Mother's Day Classic Ambassador, Bernadette is ready for anything.
"I'm feeling positive - I have a new job, I'm feeling good, it's time to move on. This was just a little hiccup along the way," she said.