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A palliative care volunteer has been honoured at the Southern NSW Local Health District’s 2025 Excellence Awards.

Out of a field of 300 volunteers, Darian Jirrup-Jirrup McLeod from the Eurobodalla Palliative Care Volunteer Service has been recognised as Southern NSW LHD’s Volunteer of the Year.

“It’s a real honour and privilege to be acknowledged,” says Darian in a recent video interview on the SNSWLHD Facebook page.

Darian has always felt strongly about social justice, equality, and making sure people were receiving the help they need. She worked as a sociologist for Centrelink for 30 years. On retirement, when looking to find some volunteer work she felt that palliative care fit right in with her ethos.

“I see it as a real privilege to be involved, and for the families to allow me to be involved, during a very special time,” says Darian.

Her Yuin name Jirrup-Jirrup means ‘little bird’ and refers to the Willy Wagtail. In Yuin culture the Willy Wagtail is the messenger of death and passing. Darian says she has always been the person telling people  when someone in the family has passed away.

“Maybe this is my calling, this is my gift, and I just love it.”

If you are considering whether to become a palliative care volunteer Darian’s advice is to just do it.

“People just appreciate it so much and it doesn’t take much to just be there and look after someone and give them someone to talk to.”

Thank you, Darian, for all you do and congratulations on being Southern NSW LHD’s Volunteer of the Year.

Click here to watch the video of Darian published on Southern NSW Local Health District’s Facebook page (5:16).