News

Garry Richards
Southern Highlands Community Hospice

Garry’s volunteer role involves visiting aged care residents needing palliative care at Harbison Moss Vale. The residents most in need often have limited family contact, so Garry provides a supportive presence and acts as an active listener. Feedback from residents and families is always positive.

As a proactive individual and problem solver, Garry helps support the team of over 30 volunteers by mentoring new members and providing input on the policies and procedures required to expand the service.

Garry has learned to play the reverie harp. He recently played it for an elderly resident who was actively dying, providing precious moments of grace and peace. Garry is to be commended for the deep and caring relationships he cultivates with residents, families, and staff.

John Curtin
HammondCare Greenwich

John volunteers at Greenwich Hospital’s palliative care unit where under the guise of simply pushing a coffee cart he provides both deep conversation and barista quality coffee to those needing support and comfort. He has recently undertaken additional training to become a pastoral care volunteer.

Interested in patient feedback, John helps set up and conduct surveys to ensure continuous service improvement. He finds these surveys also serve as a helpful starting point for patients to share their needs, hopes, and wishes.

With his nursing background, John possesses a deep understanding of the needs of both patients and their visitors. He is passionate about supporting people in need and is dedicated to ensuring the patients’ best possible quality of life.

Stephanye Holden
Livable, Grafton

Stephanye is a volunteer and community connector who works tirelessly to raise awareness of palliative care and build volunteering capacity. By working closely with local organisations, Stephanye ensures that no one slips through the gaps and that everyone has access to the culturally sensitive care and support they need.

Stephanye embodies the values of compassion, empathy, and dedication, both with clients and within the volunteer team. Her skills in conflict resolution, communication, and adaptability contribute significantly to a harmonious team environment.

Stephanye shines through her compassionate approach, strong relationship building skills, and relentless advocacy. Her dedication to client care is a testament to her commitment to improving the quality of life for those she supports.

Kevin Stokes
Great Lakes Palliative Care Service

Kevin is first equipment officer at his service taking care of an industrial sized shed worth of equipment needed to improve the comfort of staff, carers, and patients in his local community. These hundreds of items are loaned out free of charge, and Kevin oversees the collection, delivery, setup, cleaning, repair, and storage for each one. He also organises for any surplus equipment to be shipped to Vanuatu where it gets a new life; 12 pallets worth have been sent to date.

Kevin is always ready with a listening ear. As equipment is typically collected following a patient’s death, discharge, or change in circumstances, he often interacts with patients, carers, and families who need support during profoundly challenging times.

He has mown lawns, carried out gardening tasks, removed rubbish, and made trips to the tip for clients and carers who are physically struggling and unable to access services. Kevin is generous with his time, possesses a compassionate philosophy of care, and promotes the palliative care service to everyone he meets. His kind heart shines through as he advocates for the best possible outcome for everyone under his care.