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4 AUGUST, 2026
Dipping for dad By Glenn Fisher Voluntarily plunging into an ice bath, reservoir and the ocean in the middle of winter just once sends a shiver down the spine of most of us – but how about 70 such dips in 70 days? That’s the challenge Sunbury woman Brigid Evans set herself as part of this year’s 40th anniversary of Daffodil Day on 20 August, a fundraising event to support life-saving cancer research and stand alongside those affected by cancer. And Brigid, 36, has a very personal reason for immersing herself in cold water 70 times as she edges closer to her goal of raising $7000 for the cause. On 18 August last year, her “incredibly fit and healthy” father, Les, suddenly died after battling through a bowel cancer diagnosis he received just before his 70th birthday.
There just has to be a better way. My goals in all this are to help research for better treatments and - Brigid Evans support
Brigid Evans is dipping in cold pools and ice baths 70 times to raise money for Daffodil Day, in memory of her dad, Les. (Damjan Janevski) 566309_01
Brigid, who has a doctorate in philosophy. “My goals in all this are to help research for better treatments and support.” After launching her Daffodil Day quest with her fi rst dip on 31 May, Brigid is due to notch up dip number 50 as Star Weekly went to press – dips that have included many 6C ice baths at Th rve in Sunbury, in the ocean down the coast, in Macedon Reservoir and during swimming lessons for herself and Melody at Sunbury Aquatic and Leisure Centre. “I’ve found the ice baths good for my mental health and learning to swim has been a positive out of a dark period,” she said.
“Melody is such a livewire now, and she adds another layer into all this … dad only got to meet his fi rst grandchild over a video phone call just before he passed, but I’m sure he would be proud of me.” As the 2026 Daffodil Day date gets closer, Brigid said she had some special dips planned for the last week, when she will take annual leave from her Disabilities Victoria policy and research role. A group of her close friends will join her on the weekend of 15 and 16 August for a dip in Macedon Reservoir, while mum Leonie – who recently moved to Sunbury from Bendigo – will be by Brigid’s side on 22 August for dip number 70 at Les’s favourite
sailing spot, Lake Eppalock. While there will no doubt be tears mixed in with the cold winter water of Eppalock when the fi nal dip is done, Brigid says she will not be done – she not only plans to continue cold water dipping after Daffodil Day because of the health benefits, but has promised to also shave her hair if she reaches her $7000 fundraising goal. Donations to Brigid Evans’ 70 dips in 70 days winter challenge can be made at https://www.daffodilday.com.au/ fundraisers/brigidevans/daffodil-daydip-2026 and you can also follow Brigid’s 70-dip journey at www.instagram.com/ brigid_louise
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Brigid was in hospital herself at the time, having just given birth to her and her husband’s fi rst child, Melody, three days earlier. “Dad was usually the person looking after everyone else,” Brigid told Star Weekly. “He had been declared cancer-free, but the chemotherapy treatment proved too harsh on his body, and he had a sudden downturn, then a heart attack after more gastro-intestinal issues,” she said. An avid sailor on Lake Eppalock near Bendigo who also kept fit on a rowing machine every day, Les had also donated his plasma hundreds of times and, at the time of his diagnosis, wasn’t even due for his routine colonoscopy to check for bowel problems. In the end, Brigid said, it wasn’t the cancer that took her dad’s life and she believes the harsh concoction of chemicals as part of his treatment was a major factor. “There just has to be a better way,” said