National Palliative Care Awards
In 1989 a concerned group of locals, under the leadership
of Elizabeth and Rob Fisher, realised that specialised Hospice Care was missing in the
local area. A small committee was formed to help rectify this situation. After much fund
raising and hard work a cottage, Laurel Cottage, was purchased and used as a Hospice
until changes in Government policies made the use of this property impossible. It was then
sold but the group continued. Over the years the name Great Lakes Hospice became a little
confusing to the general public so it was changed to Great Lakes Palliative Care Support.
From this inception in 1989 the organisation has tried to raise the awareness of the local
community in regard to palliative care services, end of life care and the need for advanced
care planning. They rely on fundraising and community support to try to fill the gaps that
are left when other services are exhausted or not available at the time of need.
Regular liaison with the staff of Forster Tuncurry Community Palliative Care Team,
Forster Private Hospital and Vital Path Care ensures that help is given where it is most
needed, to people of all ages within the Forster Tuncurry community, including
surrounding areas, in need of palliative care or who have a life limiting illness and to their
families.
Some of the help which is available to support palliative patients includes: –
Extra nursing and domiciliary services for those who wish to stay in their own home.
A store of special equipment available at no cost for use of nurses, occupational therapists,
patients and families to provide greater comfort at home
Wig service, specialised and personalised and provided at no cost to the patient.
Massage therapy and lymphoedema treatment
Financial assistance on a need’s basis after referral from Social Worker or Care Team
Provision of food and petrol vouchers.
Great Lakes Palliative Care Support continues to extend the services that it provides. Since
2011 it has been involved with the establishment of the Oncology Unit in Forster Private
Hospital. This Unit enables the residents of the Great Lakes to receive their chemotherapy
treatment and/or other services in their local hospital.
The dedicated Management Committee is greatly assisted by the Auxiliary Members. All
give generously of their time and talents to ensure that Great Lakes Palliative Care Support
is able to continue its valuable work.
One of these dedicated volunteers, Kevin Stokes, has recently been recognised for the
tremendous amount of work he has done in the community. He and his wife, Deidre,
visited the NSW Art Gallery, Sydney, where he received the Award for NSW Palliative
Care Volunteer of the Year. Kevin is the Equipment Officer for GLPCS and takes care of
an industrial sized shed worth of equipment needed to improve the care and comfort of
Palliative Care patients and carers. The equipment is loaned at no cost and he organises the
pick-up, delivery, cleaning, repair and storage of every single item. He has been doing this
for 15 years. Kevin is a big advocate for palliative care and also helps to organise and take
part in the fundraisers which make Great Lakes Palliative Care Support sustainable. Then
several weeks ago Kevin and Deidre (GLPCS President) attended the Oceanic Palliative
Care Conference in Brisbane, the largest conference of its type in the Southern
Hemisphere. Here he proudly accepted the National Palliative Care Award for Outstanding
Achievement in Volunteering, an award that he thoroughly deserved.
(L-R): Nick Roberts NSW Ministry of Health, Kate Bowman Manager VSSP, Kevin Stokes 2025 Palliative Care Volunteer of the Year, the three Palliative Care Volunteer of the Year finalists Garry Richards, Stephanye Holden, John Curtin, and Kirsty Blades CEO PCNSW.
Left to Right Kevin and Deidre Stokes and foundation member Elizabeth Fisher at the Awards Dinner.
Kevin receiving the award at the Oceania Pacific Conference Gala Dinner in Brisbane
Kevin being congratulated by President of Palliative Care Australia Dr Peter Allcroft and CEO Palliative Care Australia Camilla Rowland.
Kevin at various places belonging to Great Lakes Palliative Care:
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