Cancer can't keep cook down

Looking forward to next week's Balaclava School camp are camp stalwart Linda Edie, who will be...
Looking forward to next week's Balaclava School camp are camp stalwart Linda Edie, who will be attending for the 27th time, and pupils (clockwise, from front left) Josh Meikle, (10), Alana Donkin (10), Lauren Stewart (11), Shaun Simpson (10), Nic Elkins (10) and Josie Williamson (10). Photo by Gerard O'Brien.
Four rounds of chemotherapy were not enough to stop Dunedin woman Linda Edie from attending Balaclava School's annual camp at Bannockburn next week.

For the past 25 years, she has been camp cook, But this year, after undergoing treatment for leukaemia, was invited as the school's special guest.

She started her role as camp cook in 1983, when the first of her five children was due to attend.

When the school asked for volunteers, she put her hand up.

Year in, year out, the menu had not changed, but her pleasure never waned.

This year, instead of focusing on crumbed schnitzel and chocolate mousse, she will be watching the children during their activities.

"It's going to be marvellous."

Mrs Edie was diagnosed in May and finished her final round of chemotherapy in September.

"I didn't think I'd be able to make camp."

However, she was now feeling much better and was "going to enjoy going.

"I couldn't miss camp."

She even had her sights set on returning as cook next year.

Deputy principal Wendy Lamond described her as an "absolute treasure" and going to camp next week was "above and beyond" what many others would consider.

ellie.constantine@odt.co.nz

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