EOL Bucket List

10/05/2026

This National Palliative Care Week (10–16 May), we’re creating space to pause, reflect and reconnect 🧡

As part of our community event on 12 May in Hobart, we’re hosting a guided mindfulness session with Mindfulness Programs Australasia.
🗓 12 May
⏰ 1.30pm
📍 St Lukes Health and Wellness Hub, Hobart

This gentle session offers a quiet space to slow down and be present. Through simple mindfulness practices, participants are invited to explore calm, compassion and reflection, particularly around experiences of grief, loss and end-of-life care.

Whether you’re supporting someone, working in the sector, or simply looking for a moment to reconnect, you are very welcome to join.

👉 Register here: https://events.humanitix.com/mindfulness-npcw

This session is part of our drop-in community day, so you’re welcome to join early to join other sessions or arrive just for this session.

10/05/2026

If you’re looking at an aged care place, ask the question BEFORE you choose: will they facilitate or even support Voluntary Assisted Dying?

Today in The Age, the conversation around voluntary assisted dying (VAD) continues, and we’re encouraged to see the issue of institutional objection, and in some instances active institutional obstruction, entering public discussion.

This is when an aged care facility refuses to allow VAD on site, quietly blocking assessments, conversations or administration within their walls.

For residents who are terminally ill, often with limited mobility or without family support, this can mean being forced to transfer to an unfamiliar facility while gravely unwell, navigate last minute logistics at their end-of-life, or abandon their choice altogether.

Former DWDV Board Member Dr Cam McLaren speaks in the article about the real world impact of these barriers, describing how he has had to assess individuals for VAD in the car park of aged care facilities because staff have not allowed him onsite.

In South Australia, Queensland and New South Wales, aged care providers are required by law to inform the public if VAD is not available in their facilities. Victoria has no such requirement, leaving many families unaware of restrictions until it is too late.

Every Victorian deserves equitable access to lawful healthcare, including VAD. Transparency and open discussion is critical to making sure we have a VAD system in Victoria that truly honours an individuals’ legal, end-of-life choice.

GoGentle have rated 70 of the largest providers of aged care in Australia and have published the findings in a new report and a searchable online database. Head to their website to learn more.

Read more: https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/aged-care-homes-deny-terminally-ill-access-to-voluntary-assisted-dying-20260503-p5zt8m.html

22/04/2026

Sad news this morning...
But what a blessing that option exists for so many people. We need to be talking more about voluntary assisted dying.. the very real way that it can alleviate suffering.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-23/702-abc-sydney-presenter-james-valentine-dies-cancer-/106591720?utm_source=abc_news_app&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_campaign=abc_news_app&utm_content=other

The presenter and professional saxophone player is being remembered for his ability to explore the humour and oddities of daily life on the airwaves.

12/04/2026

This is a game changer & so simple to enrol in & knowledge build xx If you or anyone you know has a connection to someone with Parkinson’s this is the link to share.

It’s World Parkinson’s Day — and there’s no better moment to level up your understanding and make a real impact.

If you haven’t enrolled in the Parkinson’s MOOC yet, today is the day. This course isn’t just informative — it’s empowering, inspiring, and designed for anyone who wants to be part of the global movement improving life for people living with Parkinson’s.

🔥 Why you should join right now:
Stand out professionally. Whether you’re in healthcare, research, community work, or simply curious, this course boosts your credibility.

Hear real voices. Learn directly from people living with Parkinson’s and the specialists who support them.

It’s free, flexible, and accessible. No barriers — just world‑class learning at your fingertips.

Show your support in a meaningful way. Awareness is great, but action is better.

💡 On a day dedicated to understanding and advocacy, enrolling is one of the simplest, most powerful contributions you can make.

Join the Parkinson’s MOOC today and be part of the change. Knowledge starts with you.
🔗https://mooc.utas.edu.au/course/20392

21/03/2026

Join Rebecca Lyons of You n' Taboo and I in Sorell, for a FREE program designed to help you to get your Advance Care Directive done!
YOU won't just be talking about it, YOU will be doing it!
We have been offered a fantastic new venue, some good resources... The time is right...
So, over two sessions we will help you get on top of this very important task! In session 1, we will talk about what it is you can consider and then in session 2, we will come together to get them done!

This is free, but registration is essential. So grab your partners, friends or anyone you know who needs it and come support each other to make an ACD.

People of Sorell, the Peninsula, the East Coast or Greater Hobart.... Did you know you need to record your end of life wishes in a may that the...

04/11/2025

Interested in finding out about Water Cremation and Natural Burial ? Well here's the event for you. Next week experts in these areas will be sharing their knowledge and experience and what's possible for you and your loved ones here in Tassie.

17/10/2025

Learn to live at home with dementia. Staying at Home is a free carer wellbeing and respite program designed to empower and upskill carers to support a person living with dementia to remain at home for as long as possible 😊

14/10/2025

All welcome to next Tuesdays Tassie Death Cafe. These sessions talking about death, dying and living well are unstructured with no set agenda. While they are not a replacement for formal counseling and support participants often comment how supportive the group is. Being heard in the company of others and in a caring supportive environment is empowering for each of us. If you'd like to attend can you please indicate that on this post (or the Tassie Death Cafe page) or send a PM. Love to see you there. In Kindness Leigh

09/10/2025

Fantastic to see this launching following our forum last month ❤️

📢 It’s time for a more compassionate aged care system 📢

Today we launch our Advocacy in Action Campaign starting with Aged Care.

Too many older people, families, and carers feel isolated in a system that measures risks and compliance instead of relationships and connection.

Let’s build an aged care system built on dignity, belonging, and community - where moving into a home is not the loss of independence, but the beginning of deeper connection and meaningful living.

A place where caring, dying, and grieving are done well - where people are "cared about", not just "cared for".

💬 Join the call for change. Together, we can create a future where compassion is the measure of quality in aged care.

Stay tuned for our upcoming Aged Care Panel Discussion - featuring key voices from across the sector who are leading the way toward more compassionate models of care.

To watch the full presentation and join the dialogue, visit:
https://compassionatecommunities.au/advocacy-action/aged-care/

Follow us on LinkedIn and subscribe to our monthly newsletter https://compassionatecommunities.au/news/

A big thank you to the talented filmmaker Ed Coney (LinkedIn) for the series of videos created for our campaign.

Aged Care Advocacy and Action   Watch the interview Watch the full presentation   Invitation to Engage Your thoughts and ideas will help build a more compassionate Australia How can […]

09/10/2025