Celebrating resilience at annual Kellion awards

The Kellion awards recognise the outstanding courage, commitment, and resilience in living well with diabetes for many decades.

The medal is named after the late Claude Kellion AM, who created a foundation to promote diabetes research after his son died from diabetes complications.

Diabetes Victoria CEO Glen Noonan congratulated the Kellion recipients, some of whom have lived with diabetes for more than 80 years.

“The stories are remarkable and inspiring, and while each journey is unique, there’s a few common themes,” Mr Noonan says.

“Team effort is the first. We hear from countless Kellion medallists that managing diabetes has been a team effort. Be it parents, husbands, wives, partners, children, friends and health professionals.

“Resilience is another theme. These incredible people have managed diabetes for decades without the assistance of the technology available today.

“The strength and determination of our Kellion medallists inspires all of us at Diabetes Victoria.”

Peter Eaton: 80-Year Recipient 

At the age of seven in 1946, Peter Eaton was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. He spent six months in hospital learning to adapt to his new life. “From memory, my stay was fairly pleasant, as after the first two weeks I had the run of the place,” Peter recalls. 

Over the ensuing decades, Peter has witnessed extraordinary changes in diabetes treatment and technology. From the introduction of blood glucose testing and smaller, sharper needles to his first insulin pump in 2004, each advancement has made managing diabetes easier. He now uses a Medtronic insulin pump and continuous glucose monitoring sensors, which have given him his best control yet. Peter credits specialist Barbara White for helping him make the most of the technology. 

Peter has also been fortunate to have the unwavering support of his wife, Bernie. The pair married in 1962 and together they raised three children (and now have nine grandchildren). “She has been my support mainstay – the best thing that ever happened to me was meeting Bernie in 1958,” Peter says. After 64 years of marriage, Bernie remains his number one supporter, making sure he stays on track. 

Peter has always maintained an active and fulfilling life. After retiring from his own manufacturing business, he still enjoys golf, exercise, and travelling. These days, the sprightly 87-year-old hits the gym a few times a week, is a member of his local Probus and garden clubs and enjoys coffee outings and weekend day trips with Bernie and his family. 

Reaching this amazing milestone has long been a personal goal for Peter, and it marks an extraordinary eight decades of living with type 1 diabetes. “It has been my ambition to attain the 80-Year Kellion Medal, and it means a huge amount to reach this goal,” he says. “I am very proud to make this my fifth medal!” 

Cheryl Ann Bright: 60-Year Recipient 

In 1965, Cheryl Bright had just started grade six at Timboon Primary School and noticed that she couldn’t see the blackboard properly. This was a frightening experience for an 11-year-old, and she initially didn’t want to tell her parents. 

When she finally explained what was wrong and received her diagnosis of type 1 diabetes, Cheryl recalls that her mother was devastated and didn’t know how they were going to manage. She remembers the challenges of having to manage her illness with little support or education. “We had no one to help or guide us,” she says. “We were sent home with a few typed up information sheets on diets and the like. Basically, I was on my own with my mum to figure it out.”

As an adult, Cheryl made sure others with diabetes didn’t feel isolated the way she did. She was involved with the Diabetes Support Group in Ballarat from 1994-2023, taking over the running of the group in 2003, and won an award for her achievements as committee member, secretary and later president. 

Reaching the 60-Year milestone is a source of great pride for Cheryl, and she hopes it can provide hope. “With determination, people with diabetes can still achieve amazing things.”

Elizabeth Veeken: 50-Year Recipient 

It was late in her first pregnancy when Elizabeth Veeken was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes after collapsing in the street and being admitted to Ballarat Base Hospital. She was discharged after a week with syringes and an orange to practice her injections on. Her baby, Daniel, was born soon after, giving Elizabeth little choice but to learn to manage diabetes and get on with life. 

Elizabeth managed well in the early years, but the birth of her third child in 1985 was a major turning point. Following a difficult birth in which she almost died, her husband left soon afterwards, leaving Elizabeth to raise three young children on her own. She was administering up to six injections a day and feeling overwhelmed, but her family provided a source of inspiration. “My children were my will to keep going,” she recalls. 

During this challenging period, Elizabeth found valuable support and friendship through a local diabetes peer support group. The group continues to meet for lunch each month. Elizabeth is now the only surviving original member, but the families of past members still attend. 

Advances in diabetes technology has transformed Elizabeth’s management, from blood glucose monitors and finer disposable syringes to insulin pump therapy and continuous glucose monitoring. Her husband Jack, who she met in 1990, encouraged her to try an insulin pump and has remained her greatest supporter.

“He has gotten me to where I am today,” Elizabeth says. “Jack attends all my appointments and manages all my changes. As I've become more disabled, he's become my carer, and he does almost everything for me. We are part of a wonderful team.”

Elizabeth believes her family is her greatest achievement, having raised three children as a single parent, and she now cherishes time with her grandchildren. She hopes that her Kellion Victory Medal can serve as inspiration for others, saying, “It shows newly diagnosed young people and adults that they can live a productive and satisfying life.”