The Sunshine Coast entertainment community and patrons have banded together to support a much-loved musician in her battle with an inoperable tumour.
Bec Findlay is a fairly new arrival on the local music scene but she has already made a big impression.
A professional musician and recording artist since the age of 15 in Melbourne, Bec later moved to Brisbane and has been singing in covers and original bands playing pubs, clubs, weddings and corporate gigs for more than 20 years.
She moved to Noosa to be closer to her daughter whom she had missed dearly while living for an extended time overseas.
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While working on the Coast, she has been playing solo and in a duo, while also collaborating with various musicians to suit client/venue requirements throughout the region.
Friend and fellow musician Janice Smithers has organised a Go Fund Me crowdfunding page headlined “big love for Bec’s battle with cancer” to help cover medical costs and living expenses “for one of the most beautiful souls I know”.
Bec said she had been overwhelmed by the depth and breadth of support from her adopted community.
“Firstly, I’d like to say a big thank you to my beautiful friend Janice who knows me too well,” she said.
“I am so overwhelmed with the response from our music community and community as a whole – whether it be a beautiful message, offerings of homemade food, fruit and veg, or driving me to treatment.
“I feel incredibly humbled, supported and loved. Saying ‘thank you’ just doesn’t seem like enough.”
Janice said their paths had crossed long before Bec moved to the Sunshine Coast two-and-a-half years ago.
“We met while I was playing on Heron Island many years ago and she was telling me she had also been a muso on the island,” Janice said while about to drive Bec to a hospital radiation treatment.
“We chatted there but then re-met on the Coast because it was not that long ago she came back from living in Spain and the UK where she was concentrating on getting her son into professional football. He’s now living in the States.
“She spent her life savings getting him set up as international footballer.
“We’ve been good mates a good couple of years now.”
Janice said COVID-19 had affected the whole music industry with the number and types of gigs available to musicians, even before Bec’s health crisis.
“It hasn’t been easy,” she said.
“She’s been fairly OK with solo and duo gigs. Her last proper gig was probably with me on Heron Island in April over Easter.
“I know for a fact she has not worked since it all came down. She’s been in pain and couldn’t actually do any gigs.
“Now she’s in treatment, there’s no chance at all of her working.”
Janice said Bec took some convincing to agree to the Go Fund Me page.
But Janice believes “many hands make light work” and that most people want to help others in need.
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On the fundraising page, she wrote: “It hasn’t been an easy task as Bec is both private and independent but it’s definitely time.
“Bec has begun five days-a-week chemotherapy and radiation treatment for an inoperable cancer tumour which means she won’t be able to work as a musician for an unknown length of time.
“Bec lights up a room with her smile and always fills it with laughter, and did I mention she also has the voice of an angel?”
More than half of the $30,000 goal had been raised, with donations totalling $17,835, and Bec wanted to thank all those who had donated so far.
“I know there is a lot of love for her in our Sunny Coast music community as she is often helping out others with gigs or being an avid supporter of her peers at theirs,” Janice wrote.
“Bec is a proud single woman who wouldn’t dream of asking for help so I’m inviting you to reach out at this time so together we can at least ease one burden for our beautiful Bec through this tough time.”
Bec said plans were under way for a Musos For Mates charity event (Covid restrictions permitting) to be held at The Dock at The Wharf Mooloolaba in October for an afternoon of music, food and wine.
Musos for Mates is a Coast-based group of musicians who, together with The Dock, hold events to raise money for local causes.
“As for now, I’m just putting one foot in front of the other and focusing on healing,” Bec said.
“I’m grateful for the life I have lived and shared with so many amazing family, friends and community.
“I have so much more life to be lived. Watch this space.”
