Matt Hughes: Dalby’s Janene Hughes pays tribute to husband two years after his death from bowel cancer

Two years on from losing her husband to cancer, Dalby’s Janene Hughes has opened up on their final years together, and the warning signs before his diagnosis.

REST IN PEACE: The lasting legacy of Dalby man Matt Hughes has been retold by his wife Janene Hughes two years following his passing. Picture: Facebook

The loving wife of a builder and former rugby player who tragically died from cancer has opened up about her final years with her husband, and the symptoms that led to his fatal diagnosis.

Dalby’s Matt Hughes died from bowel cancer in 2019 at the age of 39, with family and friends commemorating the anniversary of his death on July 7.

His wife Janene Hughes has revealed what it’s like to face the second anniversary of her husband’s death.

“It’s always a tough week, I usually take the day off, and have a bit of quiet time and watch the sunrise in the morning,” Mrs Hughes said.

“I did that after he passed away, I had a lot of quiet time and I’ve done it both years since then.

“I then go to visit Matt in Toowoomba, and usually do a lot of reminiscing.

“It’s a very hard day, but in saying that I have a big support crew around me that makes me feel a lot better, but it isn’t an easy week.”

Janene and Matt first met in Longreach before settling in Dalby in 2001.

Dalby's Matt Hughes passed away from cancer in 2019. Picture: Contributed

Certified builder Matt enjoyed the Western Downs community, playing for the Dalby Diehards A grade side in 2001, 2002, and 2003.

He also had a run in reserve grade in 2006.

The couple’s world came crashing down however in December 2017, when Matt became increasingly ill over several months.

“It was around Christmas he got sick, and then we went to Brisbane, and he was crook over that time, and he started to go to the doctor in mid-January,” she said.

“But he wasn’t getting any better, and he was just picking up every virus.

“It took nearly a month for him to be diagnosed after he started getting sick.

“He was already stage four at that point, and was told he had three months to live in February 2018.”

Janene said Matt had an “extremely high pain threshold”, and endeavoured to continue on with their life and his job.

“He actually never showed symptoms because he was mentally so strong, and was determined he was going to beat it,” she said.

“Right until three days before, in his mind, he was going to beat it.”

In his final years, Janene and Matt decided to tick off items on their bucket list, and took trips whenever they could.

They even ventured overseas to South Africa with his cousin and sister.

Janene and Matt decided to tick off items on their bucket list, and ventured to South Africa with his cousin and sister for a holiday. Picture: Contributed

Janene still remembered the day doctors informed Matt he had received all of the treatment they could possibly give him.

“That was the hardest time out of the whole ordeal, even when he was diagnosed we thought there’d be treatment,” she said.

“But when the doctors said it was time for us to enjoy the time we had left, that was the hardest day for both of us.”

Two years on, Janene said she’s had a lot of time to reflect on the person he was, and what was so special about him.

She said she would remember him for his undying passion and the endless love he had for his friends and family.

“The biggest thing for Matt was that it didn’t matter if you were an eight-year-old kid, or an elderly person, he had the respect and time for everyone,” Janene said.

“It was just his personality, he cared about how he made you feel, and he wanted you to feel important, and respected.

“That’s the sort of person he was.”

Janene said he made everyone feel “hundred per cent”, and they meant to much to him.

“Now that he’s gone, you realise he was the balance with everything,” she said.

“He was one of those people who would bring the best out in you, and he did that with everyone.”

The Dalby community now come together once a year in March for the highly coveted Matt Hughes Charity Shield, where the Diehards and the Wheatmen play off in an exhibition match.

Councillor Megan James, Michael Webber, Tom Kelly, Janine Hughes, and Bart Turner at Matt Hughes Charity Shield on March 13, 2021. Picture: Contributed

Last year’s efforts raised $50,000, but this year’s event eclipsed it, with the fundraiser amassing $82,500 from donations.

More than 1200 people attended the hard-fought contest between the two teams, with a cheque presented to the Matt Hughes Foundation by members from the Dalby Diehards and Dalby Wheatmen.

The committee is made up of Michael Kelly, Michael Webber, Tom Kelly, Andrew Johnston, Janene Hughes, and Belinda Fagan, who will donate the money to community organisations this year.

“It was a long process to put together, but it has a great committee, and a lot of people put in heaps of work,” Janene said.

“To see it get that support, and to know a lot of people who knew Matt came to remember him, made the day great.

“At the end of it all, it’s about giving back to the community, that’s what Matt would’ve wanted.

“He’s one of those people who would’ve wanted the best for everyone.”

Originally published as Matt Hughes: Dalby’s Janene Hughes pays tribute to husband two years after his death from bowel cancer