By Nicole Williams
BROOKE Collins was a happy young woman who left an impact on everyone she met.
After a five-year battle with a rare brain tumour, 16-year-old Brooke passed away on Thursday 17 January.
Brooke grew up in Queensland with her mother and sister and a love for spaghetti bolognese, Winnie the Pooh Bear and fishing.
In December 2007, Brooke moved to Melbourne to live the ‘farm life’ with father Adam and stepmum Kelly.
“She helped create a little hobby farm with ducks, chooks, cows, sheep, pigs and rabbits,” Kelly said.
“Brooke was always such a positive, happy, giving, inspirational girl that everyone admired, even those who only knew her for five minutes!”
Five years ago, Brooke was diagnosed was anaplastic astrocytoma after seeing a doctor for constant headaches and the next day was at the Royal Children’s Hospital to have a seven-centimetre tumour removed.
Brooke had chemotherapy and radiation for most of 2008 and was given a couple of years to live, but that did not deter her from loving life and being positive.
As a student at Kooweerup Secondary College, Brooke continued to love school and attended at every possible chance but when she was forced to stay home, spent her time doing as much homework as possible.
The birth of her half-brother and sister gave Brooke a change of focus and after the family moved to Kooweerup she looked forward to walking them to kinder/childcare before continuing on to school herself.
Brooke tried many ‘concoctions’ and natural medications to try to buy more time and also endured at least 15 more operations, all with a smile and positive attitude.
She was always supported by her loving family.
In September 2010, she was awarded a wish by the Make-A-Wish Foundation to meet High School Musical heartthrob Zac Efron.
At the time, she told the Gazette, all she could say in his company was ‘Oh my God’.
She also experienced many other exciting moments, including meeting Michael Klim, Essendon Football Club players and hot-air ballooning thanks to friends, family, Make-A-Wish, Camp Quality, Challenge, Canteen, Redkite, Kids with Cancer, Kooweerup Secondary College, Kooweerup/Lang Lang Rotary Club and the Royal Children’s Hospital.
On Saturday 13 October, Brooke celebrated her 16th birthday surrounded by friends and family.
Kelly said the effort everyone put into their fancy dress costumes overwhelmed Brooke, who dressed as Goldilocks.
“Thanks to the Royal Children’s Hospital, Brooke’s party included a jumping castle, sticky wall, fairy floss machine and slushy machine,” Kelly said.
“Brooke couldn’t party as hard as her friends, but it didn’t bother her. She loved watching them all have a ball because of her.”
Brooke started to lose her memory and become unsteady on her feet and by the end of December her condition declined rapidly.
She was surrounded by friends, family, fellow students, and teachers as well as her mum and sister who came from Queensland to be at her side.
Kelly said Brooke’s closest friends spoke to her about normal ‘teenage stuff’ and took their bracelets and anklets off so Brooke could take them on the next journey with her.
She passed away on Thursday 17 January and was farewelled by hundreds of people at a service at Westernport Marina; people wore purple and green to honour her.
“Brooke was a very positive, inspirational young woman and will be sorely missed by all,” Kelly said.
“We would like to thank every single person for their advice, love and support now and always.”
