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Ofa Fitzgibbons

Stars of Newcastle 2024

Say hello to Ofa Fitzgibbons!

Meet Ofa Fitzgibbons, pronounced like ‘offer’…and here’s her little story of why she wanted to go on this journey and support a great cause 😊

From Ofa: “We all know it – cancer sucks. I’ve many family members and friends that have been impacted by cancer but the one that’s closest to home is my Mum. She had breast cancer twice, and sadly passed away in 2020. I miss her every day. She was a kind, strong, resilient and loving woman and she’s my inspiration for participating in Stars of Newcastle.”

Ofa is passionate about connection and community, and the idea of spreading love and kindness to make the world a better place. Helping to raise awareness and funds for cancer research and support is just one small but positive thing she can do to help make this happen.

She’s fortunate she gets to see first-hand the impact scientific research has on the lives of everyday people through her work at the CSIRO, Australia’s National Science Agency. When she’s not supporting scientists, she sits on the board for the Newcastle Writers Festival and also dabbles in social justice advocacy through Women of Colour Australia.

Even though she was born in Aotearoa, she moved to Awabakal Country as a baby so considers herself local and loves being so close to the ocean. In her spare time, you’ll often find her hanging out at the beach with her family, walking her pups around town, or checking out a new café.

She’s nervously excited to be on this dance journey and look forward to giving back in a way that will make her Mum proud. “Thanks in advance for your support and for being here with me.”

Please Help Me
Reach My Goal

Raised

$6,737

My Goal

$10,000

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My Updates

Polynesian supper plate fundraiser!

I recently held a Polynesian Supper Plate fundraiser and raised over $2K!  A huge thank you to Mama Fusi's Kitchen who provided the food for the fundraiser, as well as the Tongan/Pacific Islander community for getting behind it as well. Grateful to all my family for their support with this event. 

Karma Keg fundraiser

I recently teamed up with fellow Star Crocq to host a Karma Keg event at The Exchange Hotel. It was a fun afternoon/evening chatting with new and old friends, raising money for a good cause. 

A huge thank you to the team at The Exhange for hosting our event! 

Weekly tap lessons

We're on the home stretch now and weekly tap lessons are now being supplemented by some practice at home. I have a tap board to help me learn the tricky steps at home. There's a lot going on in the routine but I'm doing the best that I can. Anne Marie has certainly given me a lot to try to remember, which I do love! Looking forward to showing everyone the dance very soon :)

Bite Sized Yarns

I had the privilege of hosting Bite Sized Yarns last month.  We shared stories on the loss of dreams, expectations, identities and communities…and the courage and growing pains it takes to build anew.

I’m so grateful for the vulnerability and openness of everyone in the room. And the support of the community in helping to raise over $1K.

A massive thank you to the speakers - Ree Hodges, Nerissa Jones, Ennia Jones and Tia Van De Mortel - who all generously shared their stories and donated their time. Huge thanks also to Skin Juice, Mustard Made, Ree Hodges Art and High Tea with Mrs Woo for also donating prizes for the raffle. 

Visit to Genesis Care

Late last month (August), I was fortunate to visit the Genesis Care radiation oncology department at Lake Macquarie Private Hospital with my fellow Stars. I learnt a bit about what happens during a treatment journey for a cancer patient....and met some amazing medical professionals doing amazing work every day. A very humbling experience. 

Taking tap dancing lessons to the streets of Newy

This week's lesson was a bit of a challenge - we took it to the streets! Anne Marie and I set up our tap boards at the Station in Newcastle for something a little different. I thought I'd be nervous being out in the open trying to learn new tap moves, but to be honest, I was too busy trying to get the steps that I didn't have time to be nervous! It was lots of fun. It was nice to chat with a few people who were curious about why were we tapping as well. Grateful to Anne Marie from Your First Dance Co who has really patient as I learn but also definitely challenged me with the routine!!! 

Tickets for Bite Sized Yarns is live!

I'm hosting my first fundraising event called Bite Sized Yarns.  It's a lunch at Bernie's Bar in Newcastle with some special guest speakers yarning on the topic of Lost & Found. More information is at the link below. 

https://events.humanitix.com/bite-sized-yarns-lost-and-found

Tapping has begun!

Hello friends!  I wanted to share a belated update on my Stars of Newcastle journey.  I can't believe we're almost at the half way point! 

Thank you so much to everyone who's donated so far. I'm super grateful for your support! 

Learning to tap has been an interesting and fun experience. It's harder than it looks! And Anne Marie from Your First Dance Co has been amazing and patient with me. 

I've also got a couple of fundraising events in the works, details to be announced shortly! 

Thanks again for being here :)  

Thank you to my Sponsors

$2.1k

Ofa Fitzgibbons

Polnesian supper plate fundraiser . Thank you to everyone who bought a plate!

$1,000

Event Fundraising

$520

Adam Fitzgibbons

$496.50

The Exchange Hotel

$340

Ofa Fitzgibbons

$263.75

The Team At Lanecampos

Hi Ofa, thanks for putting in the hard yards for such a worthy cause! All the best of luck - Dave, Roland the the LC team

$263.75

Covet Beauty

Good Luck Ofa, you’ll shine bright on the stage 🌟

$105.50

Salesforce

$105.50

Neridah

Best wishes for your fund raising Ofa. Enjoy the Tap!

$105.50

Phoebe Trongchittham

I'm really sad to hear about your mum Ofa. My mum also had a battle with breast cancer but thankfully survived it. The care and support she received through her treatment and recovery was second to none and I'm forever grateful. You're a superstar for stepping up to improve the outcomes of others who are coping with cancer. Can't wait to see you strut your stuff on the dance floor! 💃

$105.50

Gemma Saunders

Inspired by you!!

$105.50

Amanda Meys

Happy to play my small part in supporting you to raise much needed funds for the Cancer Council, Ofa.

$105.50

Clinton, Sharne & Loulou

We love you Ofa-girl! You're a star x

$105.50

Ford Family

Go Ofa! What an amazing effort. Love Evan, Sally, Ruby and Oscar ❤️

$63.30

Bev Simpson

You’re already a star in our eyes! So super proud of you, can’t wait to see you take to the stage!

$54

Ryan Stiff

$52.75

Nicola Gardner

$52.75

Anonymous

$52.75

Mark Woodcock

$52.75

Karen Deegan

Thank you (and your family for supporting you) to put the energy and time into raising funds and awareness for cancer. It has been heart warming to feel connected with others who have lost loved ones but also to share how we have kept their legacies alive. I am so grateful to you for being both vulnerable and strong on this journey.

$52.75

Mike Collins

Go Ofa!

$52.75

Sam Sood

Thrilled to support your incredible efforts to raise funds for the Cancer Council, Ofa! You are a star - not only for tap dancing towards making such crucial impact :) but for being authentically yourself and juggling life through multiple hats that you wear! Proud to see you making a difference x

$52.75

Elle Shepherd

You're so impressive Ofa! Can't wait to see you smash it!

$52.75

Shandel Faleako

All the best Ofa. Inspiration to us all xxx sorry we can not make Sunday, I know you will be awesome! Be thinking of you x Aunty is watching over and is so damn proud of you, we all miss herxxx love always xx

$52.75

Safiyah Faleako

❤️

$52.75

Flick Dillon

You got this Ofa. What a great way to honour your Mum

$52.75

Kirsten L

You are toe tapping goodness x

$52.75

Caroline Johnston

You go girl! Your mum would be so proud. Hope you reach your goal.

$52.75

Sean Fullerton

We look forward to seeing you from the front row

$52.75

Kirsten Lea

$27

Anonymous

$26.38

Indra Tomic

What you’re doing is fantastic! Break a leg! 🌟

$26.38

Leigh Holdsworth

$26.38

Anonymous

Well done for learning to dance as an adult and supporting such a worthy cause

$26.38

Polly Jaeger

Yay Ofa! I’m a tapper from way back so I’m so excited to hear how it goes! 😍

$26.38

Lindsey Lynn

Well done Ofa!!