For Jenny O'Brien, the cherished memory of meeting Princess Diana more than 40 years ago remains one of her most treasured experiences.
She never imagined that anything could top that, but a letter from Kensington Palace in her mailbox may just.
Jenny is an avid royal family fan: with memorabilia painted across her quaint Kyabram home, and having met Princess Diana in her time as a St John Ambulance cadet.
On the last royal visit to Bendigo in 1983, there Jenny was, in her St John uniform standing among the 15,000 children who were waving to the recently married Prince Charles and Princess Diana as they made their way through the crowds.
Jenny recounted the heart-warming moment from that unforgettable day, etched forever in her memory.
“Diana was walking up and down the street and talking to the crowds — you couldn’t keep me still, I ran and ran continuously over to her,” Jenny said.
“She said in the nicest voice ‘You’re the smallest St John’s officer I’ve ever met’.”
Jenny was awarded a certificate for completing 1000 hours as a St John Ambulance volunteer, helping others in their time of sickness.
However, at the time she had been dealing with her own health complications after being diagnosed with Turner Syndrome.
After seven dedicated years with St John, she made the difficult decision to step back and prioritise her own health.
Jenny has to ingest 26 tablets a day for her illness which affects her heart, kidneys, liver and memory.
As a result of her condition, she experienced two strokes within two months.
The aftermath of the two strokes left her with a speech impediment, which has made it difficult for her to speak and hear.
Despite her challenges, Jenny embraces life with unwavering positivity, drawing inspiration from Princess Diana's gracious spirit.
In March 2024, the royal family released a video message of Princess Catherine of Wales explaining that she would be undertaking preventive chemotherapy following a cancer diagnosis.
When Jenny found out that Princess Catherine of Wales was sick she decided to send her well wishes.
“I can see she’s going to be our queen, and I wish her all the best with her health,” Jenny said.
Jenny popped down to the Kyabram post office, and sent off her letter that contained a message wishing Princess Catherine a quick recovery.
She never expected it would even reach the mailbox of Kensington Palace, never mind that she’d receive a royal message in return.
Jenny arrived back home from her hospital appointment on Friday, August 23, and checked her mailbox as she usually did.
And there, sitting unassumingly at the bottom of the dusty mailbox, was a small letter with the royal cypher stamped in the corner of the plain white envelope.
Jenny said she could not believe her eyes.
The message read: “Thank you for your kind well wishes to Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales. Your thoughtful gesture is very much appreciated”.
Although brief, the two-sentence message held immense significance for Jenny.
She said it meant the world to her to receive the letter and know that her well wishes to the princess were heard.
“I absolutely love her … like Princess Diana was to me, I wanted to give her my best,” she said.