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A message from the Manager

Having National Volunteer Week roll into National Palliative Care Week in May provides the perfect opportunity to acknowledge the impact of Warrnambool & District Community Hospice and thank those who make our work possible.  

We are very proud to provide a free community service that complements the clinical care provided by the South West Healthcare Community Palliative team and other local health care providers.  We are also proud to have over 60 trained volunteers, who dedicate their time to supporting those who are giving and receiving end-of-life care at home.  In the last month alone, our volunteers have supported 13 local families with 123 hours of in-home respite and support.

This month I offer my heartfelt thanks to our volunteer for their kindness, compassion, and commitment.  I would also like to thank those who support us as generous donors and advocates.  It has been heartwarming to see the profile of Warrnambool & District Community Hospice grow, and an increasing number of people reach out to us for support.  

Emmalee Bell, Manager – Warrnambool & District Community Hospice

National Volunteer Week

15-21 May, 2023

This year the theme for National Volunteer Week is “The Change Makers” and it is the perfect time to acknowledge the social impact being made by our volunteers.  They not only make a big difference in the lives of the people and families receiving in-home support, they are also making a big difference in the wider community.  Our volunteers are role models who demonstrate the power of compassion, care and community connection, and make our community a better place to live and die.

We will be celebrating Volunteer Week with a social dinner at the Allansford Hotel. Our volunteers are looking forward to the chance to get together, and we are looking forward to being able to thank them, in person, for their contribution and dedication to supporting the provision of end of life care at home.

National Palliative Care Week - 21-27 May

Documentary Film Screening - Live the Life You Please

To celebrate National Palliative Care Week there will be a screening of the documentary film, Live the Life You Please.

Live the Life You Please is an intimate portrait of the end of life experience painted by  medical professionals, patients and their families, in an effort to improve awareness about palliative care, advocate for increased access to essential palliative care and related health care services for all Australians, and help to start important conversations about living the life you please until the very end.

Community events supporting Hospice in the Home

As providers of a free community service, we rely on the generosity of the community to help fulfil the wishes of those who want to spend their final days in the comfort of home.  Therefore we were thrilled to learn that two community organisations running events this month, have nominated Warrnambool & District Community Hospice as the charity to benefit from their events. We would like to thank Club Cabaret Productions, and the organisers of Warrnavision 2023 (a local take on the Eurovision song contest) for their support.  Both nights are bound to be fun and entertaining, and the perfect way to feel good about having a good time.  

Good Vibrations presented by Club Cabaret Productions

Saturday 13 May, St Brigid’s Crossley

Warrnavision 2023

Saturday 20 May, City Memorial Bowls Club