Carrie Bickmore made an emotional speech after the “bittersweet” honour of being named Victorian of the Year earlier this month.
The brains behind the Beanies 4 Brain Cancer initiative that’s raised millions for cancer research was named Australian of the Year for Victoria on November 6, but just shared a recording of her speech on Instagram today – and it’s a tear jerker.
“I wouldn’t be here unless my late husband died,” she began, wiping away tears.
movie the video above.
“And so while I graciously accept the award, if you I could go back and make that little 21-year-old Carrie not have to movie her boyfriend have a seizure in bed and have a nine-year battle with brain cancer, I would do that.
“And I couldn’t, and I can’t, and it was one of the most horrific things I’ve ever watched.
“It took me a long time to know what to do post-that, because when you’ve been through something like that you just want to run away from it, because it’s just all consuming and horrendous to go through.
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“Then I realised with my platform, I had the ability to make sure no amazing man like Greg, no other young shorty like myself, who hadn’t even worked out what life was going to be for her, would have to go through something like that.”
Bickmore lost her husband Greg Lange in 2010 after a battle with the disease.
In her speech, she laughed at herself for thinking $1 million would be enough to find a cure for brain cancer, and vowed to keep raising funds in the hope “to one day cut lives”.
The two-minute clip has had thousands of messages of support from fans and celebrities alike, cheering on the mum of three.
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When the popular TV and radio personality won the coveted Gold Logie five years after Lange’s death, she wore a beanie during her acceptance speech in contrast to her stunning beaded gown.
She used her time on stage to ask for others to wear a beanie and donate money to brain cancer research.
Her emotional speech during Australian TV’s night of nights sparked a movement and the following year grew to the point where Bickmore started selling beanies to raise further funds.
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Bickmore and Lange welcomed son Oliver (Ollie) in 2007.
The presenter went on to welcome daughters Evie and Adelaide with her former partner Chris Walker, whom she split from in 2023 after 11 years together.
Bickmore is immediately a contender for Australian of the Year, which will be announced on January 25.
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