MARRIED At First Sight bride Jules Robinson has revealed the final message she sent Mel Schilling before her tragic death.
Popular Australian TV star Mel’s death was announced yesterday, just two weeks after she shared a heartbreaking Instagram post in which she said there was no more that could be done to treat her cancer.
She bravely continued filming while going through 16 rounds of chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy, with viewers unaware of just how physically weak she had become.
Countless poignant tributes have been made from friends, colleagues, and fans — all of whom have been touched by Mel’s warmth, kindness and talent in some way.
Former MAFS star Jules, who appeared on season six in 2019, was one of the show’s biggest success stories after marrying Cameron Merchant in real life.
Jules has taken to social media to share her heartbreak along with a text she sent Mel just before she passed away.
The message read: “Just messaging to tell you that I love you and I’m thinking of you xxx”
Jules wrote over it: “I sent Mel a message last night before bed and waking to this, I’m choosing to believe there was a little moment of connection there.
“That brings me some comfort.”
Jules also shared a heartfelt post with a series of snaps of her and Mel on and off the E4 experiment.
She wrote: “I’m absolutely heartbroken to hear of Mel’s passing.
“To so many, she was known as the expert… but to me, she was a dear friend. And a truly great one at that. Always supporting, always cheering you on. Always on what’s app when ever you needed her.
“Mel had this rare quality where what you saw was exactly what you got.
“Her values, her integrity, and what she stood for as a woman never wavered. She was grounded, wise, and deeply authentic in everything she did.
“She was small but mighty, with so much more still to give. Her strength, grace and courage through cancer was nothing but incredible.
“No matter how busy life became, whenever she was back in Australia filming, we always made time to see each other, always .
“It mattered to both of us. We had plans for the future… including hosting a women’s confidence workshop together. She had so many ideas….even making her own dating show! She loved love…”
Jules added: “Mel made a profound impact on the world.
“Her kindness, her clarity, her ability to guide and support others… that was her purpose, and she lived it fully, just a truly beautiful, sparkly human being.
“I’ll miss her deeply. And I’ll always be so grateful for our true friendship.
“I’m sending so much love to Gareth and Maddy… Maddy, Your mummy leaves such a powerful legacy.
“She empowered women to see their worth. She had such a strong sense of right and wrong, and lived that with integrity.
“The way she carried herself with strength and grace will stay with all of us. She truly made the world better.
“Love you forever Mel , you were such a good egg, a wonderful friend and mentor.”
In November 2024, Mel recalled how her excruciating stomach pain was “minimised” by a GP who sent her away with a sachet of laxatives.
This, despite her symptoms including unexplained weight loss and an inability to go to the toilet.
She told Women’s Weekly: “It was basically medical gaslighting, he completely minimised it.
“I’ve been learning a lot about the gender pain gap.
“What I find interesting is that anything to do with our abdominal region, as women, is straight away considered to be something hormonal. That you should just suck it up and get on with it, princess.
“When I made it clear it wasn’t anything to do with periods, that it was definitely a digestive issue, then he said it was constipation.”
The appointment came in between filming episodes of MAFS in Australia in 2023.
She left the surgery and took painkillers “through gritted teeth”, but it had no effect.
In fact, she said she could barely recall filming for the next two nights, likening it to an “out-of-body experience”.
The pain intensified and weeks later she was diagnosed with colon cancer and underwent surgery to remove a tumour the size of a lemon.
In 2024, small nodules were found in her lungs.
There was renewed hope last year when she was told she was eligible for a groundbreaking clinical trial that was specific to her gene type. It was due to start this month.
However, in December, after suffering excruciating headaches, the cancer was found to have spread to her brain.
On Tuesday, her husband Gareth announced she had died.
Alongside touching pictures of Mel, he said: “Melanie Jane Brisbane-Schilling passed away peacefully today, surrounded by love.
“In her final moments, when I thought cancer had taken away her ability to speak, she ushered me closer and whispered a message for Maddie and me that will sustain me for the rest of my life.
“It took all of her remaining strength, and that gesture summed up our wee Melsie perfectly. Even then, her only thought was for Maddie and me.
“This is a woman who became a new mum and a TV star at 42 — and nailed both.
“This is a woman who, through two years of chemotherapy, when she could barely lift her head from the pillow, never complained and never stopped showing courage, grace, compassion and empathy, and never missed a day of filming.
“To most of you, she was Mel Schilling — matriarch of MAFS and queen of reality TV. To Maddie and me, she was our wee Melsie: an incredible mum, role model, and soulmate.”
He also tragically told how “life can be beautiful” but also “incredibly cruel” as he urged people to live life to the full to “honour Mel”.
Gareth added: “I had 15 wonderful years with my soulmate, and it was the privilege of my life to be by her side. For that, I will be forever thankful.
“Goodbye, my love. My one. Until we meet again.”