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Thanks to the help of passionate volunteer biographers, Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District’s Supportive and Palliative Care Service offers people nearing end-of-life the opportunity to record and publish their life’s story.

When Penrith resident George put personal history to paper with the help of his volunteer biographer Clare, he was able to reflect meaningfully on his life’s journey while also creating something of lasting value for his family, including his cherished grandchildren.

“I love my grandkids, every one of them, and this gives them the truth; what really happened,” says George.

By making a record of his life for family and others, George has been able to share important stories about a life of hardship, adventure and resilience shaped by deep family love and pride in his Aboriginal heritage.

“You’ve got to accept a lot in life, that’s just how it is. I’m pretty open, and it feels good to get it off your chest,” says George.

Volunteer biographers come from various professional backgrounds, and the service works to carefully match people with the right volunteer to help share their story comfortably and accurately.

“It’s easy talking to Clare. Maybe not so much to somebody else, but talking to Clare is easy,” says George.

For Clare, the process begins with listening.

“It was an absolute pleasure, and George was always open right from the start,” says Clare.

Clare records each session and later transcribes George’s words, shaping them into a unified narrative while keeping his voice at the centre.

“I type everything up exactly how he’s talked about it,” explains Clare. “I move things around when it makes sense to do so, but they’re his words.”

While Clare’s background is in research and communications, she says technical skills are secondary to being fully present with the person in front of her.

“The most important skill is listening and being present in the conversation,” says Clare.

Clare also reflects on the broader impact of biography work, particularly for families. “It’s not just a tribute to the person,” she says. “It’s a tribute to the people they’ve loved along the way.”

Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District’s Palliative Care Volunteer Coordinator, Kylie Clark, says the biography service is built on the belief that everyone has a story to tell.

“The client chooses the aspects of life they want to explore, and the volunteer is there to encourage and guide,” she says.

Kylie says completing a biography can be a powerful milestone.

“Finishing a biography is a joyous occasion for both the client and volunteer, and it often represents an important completing step in the person’s end-of-life journey,” Kylie says.

Kylie also emphasises the importance of supporting volunteers. “My role is to ensure volunteers are well supported in what can be an emotional and intense experience,” she says. “They meet regularly to share ideas, experiences and debrief together.”

For George, the experience has meant knowing his story, told in his own words, will remain with his family long after the conversations end.

George is a proud Dharug man, and his story was told on Dharug land.

Volunteer training for the Supportive and Palliative Care Biography Service will be held in February 2026 and includes one full day of training. Volunteers need strong communication and listening skills, comfort with computers and transcription, and availability of at least one day per week over 8–12 weeks.

Anyone interested in volunteering can contact Kylie Clark, Palliative Care Volunteer Coordinator, at kylie.clark@health.nsw.gov.au.

 

Photo: Volunteer biographer Clare with Penrith resident George.

This story was first published on the NSW Government website.