Some truly amazing women with a huge amount of talent and energy.

Whether it's through imagination or drive and determination, Girls Night In girls really know how to make things happen. Read about some of them and get inspired. Or you may want to nominate a girlfriend as a Girls Night In hero. Contact us and tell us about a hero host that you know.

Kerrie Garlick and Melanie Ellis

Kerri Garlick and Melanie Ellis hosted their fourth Girls Night In last year.

Kerrie and Melanie hosted a Sugar & Spice Girls Night In to raise awareness of women’s cancers and support Cancer Council Queensland. Their strategy was simple. They set a theme and sold tickets for $30 each. The ticket entitled guests to drinks and hors d'oeuvres and provided an automatic donation to Cancer Council.

“We're both working mothers, each with three young boys, juggling work, homework, sporting commitments and the housework. Our lives never seem to stop, however we can’t imagine having all of this plus battling cancer,” Mrs Garlick said. 
“We both feel very blessed to have healthy families and Girls Night In is the perfect opportunity for us to give back and help Cancer Council Queensland raise much needed funds. This year is our 4th Girls Night In, and we are now at the stage where family and friends are always asking us ‘what next?’. We theme our Girls Night In events differently each year, to make each event new and keep up the interest of the guests and keep them wanting to come back each year.
“Our aim is always to get a little bigger and a little better than the previous year and to raise as much money as we can for Cancer Council Queensland.
“My aunt, who is like my second mother, was diagnosed with breast cancer ten years ago this month.
“She has radical surgery, chemotherapy and radiation treatment, and we are blessed to have her here with us today! 
“I have had a suspected melanoma removed recently and am so grateful I followed the Cancer Council’s recommendations for annual skin checks because this means it has been caught early and the outcome is much more likely to be positive for me.
“Melanie has also been affected by cancer, her cousin was diagnosed with cancer and is thankfully now in remission. Her husband’s nanna is currently fighting cancer at the moment, so this year’s Girls Night In will take on a different meaning for us this year.
“Cancer Council Queensland does not receive any government funding, so Melanie and I feel it is up to us as a community to give our time and effort to help those battling against cancer,” she said. 

Joan Gauci

Joan shares some of her thoughts about her cancer journey, the importance of family and friends and the opportunity to fund-raise for Cancer Council.

As soon as the specialist saw my test results, she knew straight away. I had breast cancer.
Watching what my mum went through with her breast cancer prepared me in a way. I wasn’t shocked, I wasn’t surprised. There was something in the back of my mind that told me, be prepared because it’s coming.
Knowing that it’s genetic, you do think: ‘Does it really happen? Can that really possibly be happening to so many of us?’

I fund-raise so that eventually, one day, there will be a cure - for my children and their children. That’s all I want.

My whole year is based around Girls Night In. It means everything to me – it’s my life. Us girls get together to discuss what we’ve planned for the night and have a laugh - I love it. 

I’m giving something back to the community. To see everyone so happy and having fun on a crowded dance floor, I feel so proud. I think, “Oh my God did we do all this?”

My first Girls Night In started off in my garage in 2007. All I asked was for was a small donation to Cancer Council. I raised $500 and I was so excited! It’s grown so much that this year we are aiming for $25,000.

It’s a great opportunity to get dressed up and have some fun. Everything we get is donated and this year we’ve got a trip to Vegas with airfare, TV’s for prizes, drag queens, Elvis impersonators and a free DJ. We sell out every year!
I keep doing Girls Night In for my mum. After our first event in 2007, she lost her battle with breast cancer. Before she passed away she said, “don’t forget, you still have to do Girls Night In.” Joan and her friends haven't forgotten and are still doing it for her.

It’s empowering, we have to keep doing it.
It’s a blast for every woman to do. Put your heart into it and start off small, whatever you can do is a help to Cancer Council.