Final farewell for BTTB's Mel

It is with great sadness that we record the passing of Melanie Chalklen, a valued member of the BTTB/CIPSA Conferences team.

Mel joined BTTB in January 2007 in the role of customer relationship manager, calling procurement professionals about attendance at CIPSA or BTTB conferences and assisting delegates with their registrations. She always gave the impression that she enjoyed her work and conducted herself in the most professional manner.

As many of you may recall, Mel suffered a terrible motorcycle accident in August 2009, being knocked from her bike on her way home from work by a driver who failed to stop at a stop sign. She suffered multiple injuries to her back, pelvis, legs, hands and wrists.

Initially Mel looked like she was making a relatively good recovery. Indeed there was optimism at one time in early 2010 that she would return to work with BTTB later in the year. While obviously in pain, Mel continued to display a cheerful, optimistic disposition.

However, it was not to be. Throughout the year there were further set-backs and numerous operations, with Mel living with ever increasing pain. A diagnosis a few weeks ago of a degenerative arthritic condition, exacerbated by the accident, which meant Mel saw only the prospect of further pain and a life in a wheel chair, appears to have been the final straw. Mel took her own life, passing on peacefully, on 16th March.

Most of the BTTB Staff attended a touching memorial for her last Wednesday, at the look-out on Tambourine Mountain in the Gold Coast Hinterland. It is a beautiful location, with spectacular views, and was one of Mel’s favourite places to visit when out on her beloved motorbike. It is tragic that the activity that led to her passing was the activity that she loved so much.

I am sure many of you will join the BTTB Team in remembering Mel fondly, and  thanks to those of you who have taken the trouble to ask after her in the last year or so.

Nigel Wardropper
BTTB