Robin’s Reflections – November 2026
November 02, 2026
This Frocktober was a month of firsts and bests for the OCRF.
First, the firsts:
This year’s Frocktober campaign – and our creative colourful Frockstars - were everywhere this month! Launched by Frock Up Queen and journalistic legend Annabel Crabb, our first ever Frock Up Day was a smashing success, raising $194,000 for the OCRF in a single day. Another first was the launch of our first downloadable Virtual Frock, including a spooky Halloween edition that delighted the ol’ Canadian in me. In exciting news, we had over 500 first-time Frockers sign up to raise funds and awareness for ovarian cancer research. We loved seeing you turn it on and frock out, guys and girls! Thank you, thank you.
As for the bests:
The wonderful new people I met this month top the list. So many new supporters at our Next Horizons in Ovarian Cancer Research evening in Perth (another first!); at Frock You Cancer, Freo Tammy Style in Fremantle; at the very special Frocktober in the Ballroom function hosted in Adelaide by Young South Australian of the year nominee, Jemima Leydon and Chelsea Regan.
Listening to Candice Hung, Julian Muldoon and Vera Ou-Young speak persuasively at the Frocktober 1 Hotel breakfast in Melbourne was powerful and memorable; and watching the lustrous Vanja Wilson and Rhiannon Anderson literally everywhere this month was amazing to see!
Ann Prunty OAM shared her lived experience of ovarian cancer at the Low Survival Cancers Mission Roundtable I attended last week in Canberra, and she is an incredible survivor. Hosted by Cancer Australia and the Medical Research Future Fund, the roundtable itself will set priorities for next year’s funding, so that was another ‘best’.
News Corp launched the new ‘Over it’ campaign
In other huge news, News Corp launched the new ‘Over it’ campaign, a weekly editorial media campaign to ask the Australian Government for an urgent $21 million investment for each of the next four years in ovarian cancer research. The main aim of the campaign is to improve the current 49% five-year survival rate. The stories this month were hard-hitting – and the national reach of this campaign is spectacular.
We’re very grateful to News Corp for telling the government and anyone else that we are over it, it is time to increase ovarian cancer survival through government investment in ovarian cancer research. Thank you to all those interviewed, for sharing your stories so courageously. The campaign will roll out weekly, so keep your eyes on these publications, and write to your local MP in support.
Behind the scenes, the OCRF research team coordinated two major grant evaluation rounds this month, evaluating 54 expressions of interest for research funding (yes, 54! another record!) toward our next grant announcement. After a truly spectacular month, I’d like to take a moment to acknowledge and thank the entire OCRF ambassador group for your remarkable achievements this Frocktober.
Hearing you speak, shine, raise funds, raise your voices – many whilst still in treatment, and some grieving - is truly humbling. I never forget for whom we work and strive each day. To our donors, sponsors, fundraisers, corporate partners and everyone else who makes Frocktober sing, frock yeah! You are the best of the best. Lastly, kudos to the entire OCRF team who work tirelessly behind the scenes to make the magic happen. This hard-working mob leaves no stone unturned to support the OCRF community with warmth, good humour, teamwork and energy that is truly infectious.
Onward to November!
Warm regards,
Robin Penty, CEO
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