Yellow Day 2026

I’ve taken a stand against blood cancer.

For over 30 years, Hillbrook has celebrated Yellow Day every October. It all started with a little guy called Rhys, who joined our ELC in 1991, the first year of the ELC’s (called Hillbrook Creche back then) operation. His mum, Olga, was a teacher here at Hillbrook so the family were heavily involved in the Hillbrook community.

Rhys became unwell in late 1991 and was diagnosed with leukaemia at 2 years old. Throughout the years of cancer treatment, Rhys continued to attend the centre when he had the strength. 

Amid the sadness there were many times of joy. Rhys loved fire trucks and the centre celebrated fire truck themed days with the local fire crew coming to visit. He loved art and painting, often using his favourite colour, yellow.

Rhys’ battle with leukaemia continued for another 3 years but it was a struggle he couldn’t sustain; he passed away in November 1994. But his story doesn’t finish there. After Rhys’ funeral, Olga came to the centre and planted a tree so we could remember Rhys. It flowers yellow every year and has grown to become an important part of the ELC playground. There are possum houses up high in the branches for our possum friends, which is a source of interest and learning for the children. The ELC playground has gone through many transformations throughout the years, but Rhys’ tree has stayed, only getting stronger over time.

The Hillbrook community made a commitment to Rhys’s family that each year we would raise money for the Leukaemia Foundation in his memory.