News

As part of Palliative Care Week 2020 the Blue Mountains Palliative Support Service held a short story writing competition on this year’s theme from Palliative Care Australia… “Palliative Care. It’s more than you think.”

Twenty people from the Nepean, Blue Mountains and Lithgow areas submitted entries in to the competition including volunteers, Belong staff and other locals.

Dianne Donnellan from Katoomba took away First Prize for “Anne and I”, a story about her good friend who sadly passed away from ovarian cancer.

Katrina Simmons, Palliative Support Coordinator and Barbara Cuthbert, Director of Care and Support Belong Blue Mountains congratulated Dianne as she was presented with her prize.

Wendy Gordon from Cranebrook, Luke Richards from Blaxland, Donna MacKenzie from Windsor and Ellen Della Bosca from Lithgow also took out prizes.

“Congratulations to all our winners”, said Katrina, “Our sincere thanks goes out to everyone who entered for sharing your personal stories with us.

“We would also like to thank our judging panel for all of their time, expertise and support. Our thanks and gratitude to our judges Kerry Healey-Binn, Poet & Palliative Care Volunteer, Sue Bond, Reception Volunteer Belong Mid Mountains, and Rebecca Palmer, Transitional Nurse Practitioner Supportive and Palliative Care.”

You can read the five winning stories on the Belong BM website www.belongbm.org.au/stories.

Photo: Dianne at Belong Blue Mountains Katoomba accepting her prize from Katrina Simmons Blue Mountains Palliative Support Service Coordinator (right) and Barbara Cuthbert, Director of Care and Support Belong Blue Mountains (left).