She’s putting her skills to use producing hand-made jewellery in support of Can Assist and people struggling with cancer.

“Some of my friend’s relatives were getting sick with cancer, and I didn’t know what I could do to help,” she said.

“With my friends’ help we decided what we would do with the jewellery and stuff I’d been making, that we could sell it to Can Assist so that we could help the people in our area.”

Can Assist is an organisation aiming to ensure all people in NSW, regardless of location, have access to cancer treatment and care, by providing accommodation, financial assistance and practical support to people from rural and regional NSW.

“They use it to help and accommodate people with cancer and their families so that they can concentrate using the money they have for the operations and the medications, so they don’t have to worry about the accommodation,” Elspeth said.

While she has made $275 made so far, Elspeth says they are aiming to improve sales and make $300 this year.

“I was eight when I started, and we did small sales, but we are doing larger sales now,” Elspeth said.

Elspeth can also do special orders for those people with something very specific in mind, however she mainly sells her jewellery, “anywhere she can sort out”, for example singing concerts, gigs and at church.

While Elspeth clearly has a keen entrepreneurial mind, she says she’d rather find a career in something different, while using her heart of compassion to help people in the future.

“I want to be a nurse when I grow up so I can help people in a different way,” Elspeth said.

Elspeth may have to hand over her business to her younger sister Jessica, an incredibly bright five-year-old girl with writing and reading skills well above her age. This talented Tallimba twosome are destined for something really special in the years ahead. 

If you were interested in buying some of Elspeth’s work to support Can Assist, keep your eyes out for her at stalls around West Wyalong and Tallimba, or email her mum Meg at meghanhardie@yahoo.com.au.