But it's not all about glamour for former model Sarah Murdoch - she's also patron of the National Breast Cancer Foundation, which is carrying out a $5 million study into the condition.

You've won praise for your fundraising abilities and the fact you empower women. How do you feel about that?

A little bit embarrassed because I know people who work so hard behind the scenes but whose work is not recognised. But I use my public position to create awareness about the foundation and the wonderful work it does. I know many people are aware of the organisation and they trust it. Trust is a really big thing.

What's your motivation in working with a charity such as this one?

To help women. We're always trying to find this elusive cure but all the time we are improving treatment. A woman diagnosed with breast cancer today will have a dozen treatment options. Ten years ago that woman may have had only one. So research is actually changing women's lives. We are seeing results.

Has anyone in your family had cancer?

Yes, my paternal grandmother. When I first started working with the foundation
I didn't have any personal connection with cancer. I just sort of fell into that charity because of the statistics - it affected so many women. But then my grandmother was diagnosed; she was 77. It was very scary.

Around that time a friend was diagnosed with a lump - she was under 40. That was hard. Then my brother's wife Sharron (O'Hare) was diagnosed. She was 35 with two young children.

And that was really scary. But there is positive news - a woman diagnosed now has a 90 per cent chance of surviving five years;10 years ago it was just a 70 per cent chance. It's no longer a death sentence.

Has doing this kind of work made you re-evaluate the way you look at life?

Yes. I think we all live with a bit of fear of cancer now. It makes me appreciate good health as being the top priority in life.

Have kids changed your outlook?

Yes, incredibly, on all my choices and particularly my choice of charities.
The boys are always having bumps, grazes and fevers - all kids do. And of course you take them to the doctor and you become more aware that the doctors can do what they do because of research. It impacts on all our lives, almost every day.

Most of all I enjoy the simple things in life - the same things I enjoyed as a child. We go down to the beach as a family, pack sandwiches and sit on the grass in the sun. My life is a real blessing. And it is a privilege to do this kind of work.

What values do you give your sons Kalan, three, and Aidan, two?

To be aware of what they have and what other kids don't have. When I read my son's report card, all he says is: 'I'm so lucky. Mummy came to visit me' - we had a sports day at school. I'm always telling them how lucky they are.

How do you impart these values?

They're not allowed to have toys unless it's Christmas or birthdays. If we go into a toy shop and they see something they like they have to wait, and ask for it for their birthday. We take their old toys to the hospital. When they get older I want to travel to places so they're aware that the world we live in is not the same world a lot of children live in.

Describe your parenting style.

My mother-in-law told me to try to lead by example. I just try to be fair and be a good communicator. But I like doing all the mother stuff - I pack their lunches, pick them up from school. My priority is to be a mum. It's hard, I wear about five different hats. It's a constant juggling act. I feel guilty when I do any kind of work - even though I know this is good work.

Having lived in New York for years, do you enjoy being back in Australia?

I love Australia. I loved my childhood and I wanted to give the same thing to my children. Australians are great and there's a great balance between work and play. And I like the egalitarian feel.

Did you know New Idea's the only magazine with a breast cancer fundraising campaign that's been going for 10 years?

That's brilliant. When I started [in 1997] there was far less public awareness. To know New Idea's been doing this such a long time, to help raise awareness, is quite fantastic.

Anything to add?

Of $11 billion each year in fundraising, only 30 per cent is from corporations. I believe in the power of the individual. Our biggest fundraiser is the sale of the $2 pink ribbon.