St Clare’s College Waverley student raises more than $30,000 in her dad’s honour

As HSC exams get underway, Year 12 student Indiana is balancing her studies at St Clare's College Waverley with Join4Jimmy, the community initiative she founded after losing her dad to cancer at 14. 

On 30 November 2025, Indiana jotted an idea into her Notes app. Less than a year later, Join4Jimmy has raised more than $30,000 through two fundraising events. 

The inaugural community walk attracted more than 200 participants and raised just over $12,000 for Chris O'Brien Lifehouse – a not-for-profit, comprehensive cancer treatment and research hospital in Sydney. A charity netball gala day followed, bringing together approximately 1,000 people and raising nearly $19,000. 

Indiana was just 14 when her dad, Jimmy, passed away from cancer in January 2024. 

"Losing my dad, who was not only my parent but also my best friend, at just 14 was something I could never have prepared for," Indiana said. 

The loss brought grief, anger and confusion, and it was difficult for Indiana to make sense of what had happened. 

"Almost two years later, I found the determination to turn that pain into something meaningful, with the hope that I could help other families facing cancer and make a difference in the lives of those experiencing what my family went through," she said. 

Indiana's work has been recognised through the Order of Australia Association NSW Youth Community Service Award. She has also been acknowledged in Parliament by Dr Marjorie O'Neill MP, Member for Coogee, and selected for Canteen Australia's Youth Leadership Team. 

"I have found so much fulfilment in building a community that I wish my own family could have leaned on during our hardest moments," she said.  

Beyond fundraising, Indiana hopes Join4Jimmy will encourage more open conversations about cancer and grief. She believes people can sometimes hesitate to ask those who are grieving how they are really coping. 

"Being a good friend is about showing up in whatever way that person needs," she said. 

Reflecting on her own experience, Indiana said having people she could turn to made a significant difference. 

"I learnt very quickly that bottling up my emotions was never helpful, and having people I could turn to made a significant difference. Grief can be incredibly isolating, but no one should feel they have to navigate it alone." 

Indiana is also learning to navigate the pressures of Year 12 while living with grief. She has found that it can feel heavier during stressful periods, including exams, and has learnt to be more patient with herself. 

"I've come to understand that grief never truly goes away; rather, we learn to grow around it and navigate life alongside it," she said. 

She has also learnt that a difficult day does not diminish what she has achieved. 

"Strength isn't about having everything under control all the time, but about continuing to show up for myself, even when things feel difficult," she said. 

After Year 12, Indiana plans to study Sports and Exercise Science at university while continuing to grow Join4Jimmy. 

"This past year has shown me just how much can come from one small idea, and I'm determined to keep creating opportunities to make a meaningful difference for young people and families impacted by cancer," she said.