SEPTEMBER 2019:

Jenni Seton, who is a Redkite Patron and former CEO, was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 2019.
Her connection to Condobolin and the Lachlan Shire is extensive. She is the daughter of well-known local couple, Allan and Nancy Dodgson.
Jenni was educated at Tullibigeal Central School for her primary education, and later attended Condobolin High School.
Her award, was given for dedicating much of her life to the cause of childhood and youth cancer. There are tens of thousands of young people with cancer and their families who have benefitted from Jenni’s vision and selflessness.
Jenni’s visionary leadership over two decades helped transform Redkite from a small state-based cancer charity into a leading national cancer support organisation.
She was honoured and excited to be appointed a Member of the Order of Australia.
“It is humbling,” she explained. “I just feel so honoured, I’m happy it shines a light on the importance of improving supportive care for young people impacted by cancer and their families.
“I’ve been driven by the importance of fairness. No child, teenager or young adult should ever feel alone or unsupported through the months, and often years of disruption due to cancer. I wanted to be a part of helping to bridge the gap in need, to ensure all young people and their families had the right support when they needed it, particularly country families.
“This includes essential care that ensures financial stability, counselling in hospital and at home and support with education and career needs.
“Having been brought up on farms near Condobolin and Tullibigeal, I had a real understanding of the added pressures on young patients and their families from the country. The great distances travelled for treatment, the extra hidden financial and emotional costs, along with their sense of isolation being so far from their local support network. Often they are having to run a farm or small business with their family, torn apart due to a life threatening illness for weeks, months and sometimes years, creating enormous strain.”
She was also a champion water skier. At the age of 12 years as a sub junior, she skied 216.06 miles in the time of six hour, six minutes and 48 seconds – an Australian record that remains until this day.
Jenni had great success at the Bridge to Bridge races, State and Australian Water Ski titles. In fact, she was part of the Australian Water Ski Team, which went to Lakeport, California, where she claimed second place in the prestigious competition.
Following her water skiing success, Jenni did a secretarial course in Parkes, and then decided to make a move to Canberra to improve her education. She completed her degree in Communications as a mature aged student. Upon finishing she went to work for Red Cross and then accepted the role of CEO of Redkite.