TIMOTHY Batinich loved his cherries.
A fourth generation cherry grower, it was his passion to grow the tiny fruit at his family’s 800-hectare property “Cherrymore”, Young, one of the largest cherry producers in the district.
He also had a beautiful wife Natasha and daughters Ariahana and Arabella.
But earlier this year, after nearly seven years with a brain tumour, the 29-year-old father lost his battle.
And Natasha has made it her mission to keep his memory alive.
Natasha, who lives on Tim’s family property with their daughters, now four and two years old, is helping to raise funds and awareness through the Young Cherry Festival about this deadly disease.
Tim was working on the family property in 2010 when he was diagnosed with the brain tumour.
“He was quite young, he was just 22,” Natasha said.
He had the tumour removed by renowned neurosurgeon Dr Charlie Teo, as well as two rounds of radiation and three rounds of chemotherapy.
But the tumour kept coming back to his left frontal lobe.
“In the end he had eight craniotomies,” Natasha said.
“He fought it for seven years. Most people who are diagnosed with a brain tumour only live for five years.
“Charlie just kept operating.”
Tim and Natasha got married in 2012, and as well as raising their two daughters, spent time travelling to the US and Fiji.
Tim also kept working on the farm, even taking some of the waste cherries to be juiced at a winery and pitting cherries, canning them and selling them.
“He was quite amazing. He never stopped,” she said.
During this time Natasha, who is a nurse, cared for her husband.
Another round of chemotherapy gave Tim another six months, but then the treatment just stopped working.
He died in March this year.
Despite her huge loss, Natasha, with the help of Tim’s family, has dedicated her time to raising awareness of the disease, which is the number one cancer killer of children.
“Every eight hours someone dies of brain cancer in Australia,” she said.
“And there is very little government funding for research.
“I’m trying to get the word out there. My end goal will be to get more government funding for brain cancer.
“It is such a big killer. My daughters shouldn’t have to grow up without a father, and no one should have to lose a loved one. It’s not fair.”
Due to Tim’s love of growing cherries, the popular Young Cherry Festival is the perfect opportunity to raise awareness of brain cancer.
The festival, which will run from December 2 to 4 and attracts thousands of people, includes a Cherry King and Queen competition, where locals raise funds for charities in their bid to be crowned the winner.
And Natasha’s friend Jacqui Everdell is using her bid for the crown to raise funds for the Cure Brain Cancer Foundation.
Natasha met Jacqui, a child care worker, when she put her daughters in care while Tim was ill.
“Usually the charities people raise for are local charities, but this is a problem which is not just affecting people from Young. It is affecting people across Australia,” Natasha said.
“And Jacqui is running in honour of Tim.”
Natasha said they had approached local businesses, who have donated items which will be placed in a box trailer, also donated by Young Tyrepower. This prize, worth $6500, will be raffled to raise funds.
But the fundraising does not stop there.
The girls are also hosting a Walk for Tim on October 22, just after Tim’s birthday, at Wombat Oval.
Entrants buy a t-shirt to enter, and then can walk as much or as little of the 29 kilometres to help raise funds.
Natasha said there would be stalls, a jumping castle, bungee and races for children, as well as antique tractors and steam engines.
“It will be a big family day. It is about celebrating Tim and keeping his memory alive. I don’t want him to be forgotten,” she said.
Natasha is also hosting a black tie gala ball on November 19, which will be held at the Young Empire Hotel.
The elegant event, which will include a three-course meal and a charity auction, will donate all profits to the Cure Brain Cancer Foundation.
To purchase tickets, call Natasha on 0400 575 783.
Natasha said people can donate directly to the Cure Brain Cancer Foundation at www.curebraincancer.org.au.
Natasha said the ball, which will be held every year from now on, was another way to remember her husband.
But it is also about brain cancer awareness.
“I was unaware of it until it happened to Tim,” she said.
“I just don’t want someone else to go through life without their life partner.
“There is a cure out there and I want someone to find it.”