Along with the community, her family had been fundraising to buy a chemotherapy drug called Avastin, which is not subsidised by the Pharmaceuticals Benefits Scheme.

Sue’s daughter, Melissa Cetkovic told the News Weekly that her mum had been diagnosed with a brain tumour in May 2013 and had surgery in September. However in May this year Sue was given the bad news that it had returned.

Melissa said: “It came back quite rapidly, it was really aggressive and it was only eight weeks. There were hopes that the drug would cut off the supply of blood to the tumour but mum deteriorated very quickly and further surgery was not an option.”

Sue, her husband Nik and daughters, Renee, Melissa and Katrina have lived in the area for almost 30 years. During that time Sue was a member of the Pambula Surf Life Saving Club and took part in the George Bass. She also worked at the Bega women’s and children’s refuge for 20 years.

Melissa said that her mum was a caring person. “She was the kind of lady who would do that. She was very kind. She was a loving mum and will be very much missed.”

Melissa said that not all the money raised for Sue had been used and the family hoped to put the remainder back into the community.

There will be a celebration of Sue’s life, to which friends and relatives are invited, on Monday, July 14 at 11am at Clavering Park Crematorium, Wolumla and after at Oaklands, Pambula.