General News
19 December, 2025
Cooking up a storm for others
WHEN it comes to baking Christmas cakes, and doing what she can to help others, Carole Manifold is up there with the best.
Carole, a two-time breast cancer survivor, knows only too well the importance of the South West Regional Cancer Centre in Warrnambool and the need to ensure its doors remain open for generations to come.
With that in mind, she has devoted the money raised from the sale of her famous Christmas cakes to fund further cancer research.
And that’s where her relationship with breast cancer care nurse Rebecca Hay has flourished.
“Having undergone treatment for breast cancer both in Melbourne and here in Warrnambool, I’m very aware of just how important this centre is for our district,” Carole said.
“In many cases people no longer have to travel long distances to Melbourne or Geelong to receive treatment like they did in the past; we’re fortunate to have this wonderful facility here in the south west, and with wonderful staff who are caring, compassionate and professional.
“I’m thrilled the money from the sale of these cakes will help further cancer research.
“And I’m grateful for the help of my good friend Fiona (Hall) who does all the wrapping, and to Fonterra for donations of butter, and the Terang Rotary Club and Terang RSL who have also been extremely generous with donations.”
To date, the cakes have raised around $1500 – and Rebecca couldn’t be happier.
“My brother Christopher and I have entered the 2026 Shitbox Rally and the money raised from these cakes will go towards our overall rally tally,” she said.
The 2026 rally will take participants from Mildura to Townsville via the Flinders Rangers, the Birdsville track and the Gulf of Carpentaria from June 19 to June 27.
Entrants are required to raise at least $5,000 and their vehicles cannot be worth more than $1500 – hence the name of the trip.
The Hay siblings are confident (and more than a little hopeful) their 2003 model VY Commodore wagon will make it to the finish line.
“We bought the car from the wreckers, and that’s probably where it will end up again after the rally,” Christopher said.
“It’s taken a bit of work to get it roadworthy but she’s a pearler! She looks a bit rough around the edges at the moment but it’s a work in progress.
“We’ve called our team The Haymakers.”
Anyone wishing to purchase a Christmas cake, or make a donation towards The Haymakers, can call in to the cancer centre.
“Any donation, big or small, will be most appreciated and will make a big difference.”
