Photography student pays heartfelt tribute to late sister-in-law

It all started with a camera, adorable dog and kind gesture – here’s how one Toowoomba resident has made a difference.

SWEET TRIBUTE: Darby Brown with the 2021 calendar featuring Australian Shepherd Austin. Pictures: Kevin Farmer.

AFTER losing a family member to cancer, a Toowoomba resident has found a unique way to raise funds and awareness.

Darby Brown’s brother’s girlfriend Bridget tragically passed away due to Melanoma cancer in 2019.

Darby Brown with the 2021 calendar featuring Australian Shepherd Austin. Pictures: Kevin Farmer.

In a heartfelt gesture, Ms Brown put her photography skills to great use and released a not-for-profit dog calendar for the cause.

“It all started last year when Covid-19 first hit and I was doing uni work at home so I had a bit of spare time,” Ms Brown said.

“My brother and Bridget shared their pet dog Austin and I was randomly dressing him up in clothes and taking photos of him one day when I realised it could help in some way.”

Darby Brown with the 2021 calendar featuring Australian Shepherd Austin. Pictures: Kevin Farmer.

Starting Calendars Fighting Cancer last year, Ms Brown released a 2021 calendar starring Austin – the adorable five-year-old Australian Shepherd – across all 12 months.

Selling almost 300 calendars to just about every state across the country, Ms Brown donated all proceeds to the Melanoma Institute of Australia in memory of Bridget.

After her sister-in-law passed away from Melanoma cancer, Toowoomba resident Darby Brown decided to photograph her sister in law's pet dog to make a calendar. All proceeds raised are donated to the Melanoma Institute of Australia. Picture: Darby Brown.

Now the Toowoomba resident who is originally from a cattle station in northwest Queensland is in the process of releasing a 2022 calendar to donate the funds raised again.

“A lot of people loved that it was Bridget’s dog Austin – plus he’s very good with the camera,” Ms Brown said.

“I plan to release the calendar again with a few new photos of Austin and a new calendar too (featuring another family dog.)”

After her sister-in-law passed away from Melanoma cancer, Toowoomba resident Darby Brown decided to photograph her sister in law's pet dog to make a calendar. All proceeds raised are donated to the Melanoma Institute of Australia. Picture: Darby Brown.

Next year’s calendar will be released in the coming months and can be purchased online at calendarsfightingcancer.com