'We are just totally devastated': Peta Murphy remembered after brave cancer battle

Federal MP Peta Murphy is being remembered this morning as a brave, kind-hearted soul who strived every day to use her position of power to improve the lives of others.

The member for Dunkley, in Melbourne's southeast, passed away this week after a long battle with breast cancer.

She was first diagnosed in 2011 and after a double mastectomy, Peta thought she had beaten the cancer - but it came back, just after she was elected to Parliament.

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Peta knew the prognosis wasn't good, but rather than feel sorry for herself, the 50-year-old used her platform to raise awareness for others and encourage more regular breast screenings and awareness around the insidious disease.

"I want people to be able to see that they're not alone, which is why I have made the decision to be so open and public about it," she told Today's Christine Ahern earlier this year.

Peta joined the Pink Lotus Dragon Boating Club while she courageously fought cancer and made a raft of friends and allies among her fellow members.

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"Peta was just an amazing supporter of our club and we just loved it when she joined us on the boat," fellow Pink Lotus member Marilyn Ridley told Today.

"She was always so much fun, so positive and always had this 'I can do this' attitude that gave everyone hope.

"She was always around if we needed her, we knew she was ill but it's still unbelievable when it finally happens and we are just totally devastated about this."

See what else Marilyn and Brendan had to say in the video above