80,000 turbans in 10 years

The project began in June 2015 with quick witted Yarrawonga Lion and recent OAM recipient, Debbie Van Corler trying to find turbans for her mother who was diagnosed with bowel cancer.

After extensive searching, Debbie could only find some quite expensive turbans.

Ten years later, the beautiful group of volunteers named the Turban Angels and the Made With Love Free Chemotherapy Turban Project are still operating as determined as ever, stretching their distribution channels across Australia and overseas with the group completing their 80,000th turban, here in Yarrawonga.

“A very senior and well-respected Lions member, Phil Oliver said to me a couple of months after I started the project, ‘watch this…and be ready for this project to snowball’,” Debbie said.

“His wife loves reminding me.

“I believe it’s one of the best projects I have been involved with in 26 years of Lions.

“Just last week, standing in the queue at Woollies, the lady behind me said thank you for looking after her through her journey, then I recognised the turban on her head.

“While it’s an amazing achievement for our beautiful group of Angels to have reached this goal of 80,000, it’s also sad that this insidious disease keeps raising its head in so many different forms to so many people.

“Longevity of the project? I don’t know. What I do know is that Yarrawonga Lions Clubs Turban Angels will continue to support cancer sufferers for as long as we are able and our beautiful products are needed.

“My precious girls are so very dedicated to what we do; we have become family.

“Together, we will continue to sew each Tuesday with love and laughter and the support we receive from all over the country in many different ways.

“Our Angels are superstars, and I’m just humbled to be a part of a great team of women.”

The project has grown since it began at Debbie’s kitchen table with Debbie sewing and her friend Joan and her mum packaging the turbans.

The Yarrawonga Lions Club have provided a venue and facilities for the project since 2016 with the club always there to support the Turban Angels, as many of the angels have been touched by cancer in some way themselves.

One of the longest serving Turban Angels, Marg Dripps, who has been a part of the project for almost 10 years, said it was a wonderful project to be involved in.

“We moved up here, and someone recommended them because I was lonely, and that's why I joined them.

I love it,” Marg said.

“It's just wonderful. It really is just the people. We all get together and some days we call it a healing day.

“Deb is wonderful. She cares for everyone and does a lot of work. Her heart and soul are really in it.”

Jean Chessells said it was a humbling experience to know you have been involved in brightening someone’s day who is receiving cancer treatment.

“I started at Turbans late in 2015 and just love what we do. It is a lovely feeling to know you are helping people who are going through so much.

“We have all become good friends and are there for each other if needed.

“Deb is good value, and her heart is in the Turban Angels. It is a wonderful project.”

Fellow angel Sandra Hart summed up the project and its creator in the perfect sentiment with Deb quick to change the subject or turn praise away from herself.

“I think the project is fantastic, and we have to give Deb an awful lot of credit,” Sandra said.

“I love the feeling of walking into an oncology department with a box of turbans and saying, ‘Would you like these? These are free’.

“And it is always a positive reaction; that's what we're giving to these women everywhere.

“We're giving them back their dignity, their pride, and we're letting them know that someone's got their back apart from their family.

“There are people out there that just say, you can do it. We're there for you, and that's what the project's about, and that's why I love it.

“We couldn't be prouder. I'm just hopeful the project will be ongoing for many, many years and there'll also be that band of women who say, well, I can do something to help.”

Yarrawonga Lions past president, Joan Tufvesson conveyed her pride in Deb and the Angels, saying the project was the awe of all Lions Clubs around the country.

“When the project started, there was no way we (the Lions) thought it would evolve to what it has today,” Joan said.

“In a way it is sad that it has evolved as much as it means that so many people are going through a cancer diagnosis and treatment, but the whole Yarrawonga Lions Club are so proud of our Turban Angels and the amazing work they do.

“Personally, I think it is just the best project in the district.

“The whole Lions fraternity are in awe of the girls, the project and all are in support. I could not be prouder of everything they have achieved.”

As well as turbans for cancer patients, the Turban Angels also make bandanas for men and children and tried their hand at face masks during the Covid pandemic.

The Turban Angels are always after materials, so if you would like to donate money or materials, contact Deb or Yarrawonga Lions Club to assist.