Community invited to plan for the future
To mark National Palliative Care Week (11-17 May), Murrumbidgee Local Health District’s (MLHD) Specialist Palliative Care Team is hosting a Community Expo - Talk, Plan, Live: Planning for your future.
The event will bring together a range of agencies and services and provide an opportunity to start conversations, break down taboos, dispel myths and empower the life and choices that need to be considered by all Australians.
For 30 years, National Palliative Care Week has sparked discussions, increased awareness and advocated for improved access to and acceptance of, palliative care.
The Murrumbidgee event supports the 2025 theme – What’s your plan? – encouraging Australians and their families to engage in conversations about what is most important at the end of life and to create a plan that honours and supports their choices.
Key partners at the event include NSW Palliative Care, My Aged Care, Centrelink, solicitors, funeral providers and Advance Care Planning Australia. There will be over 30 information stalls to connect people with community vendors to ensure they find the right support.
MLHD Specialist Palliative Care Nurse Educator Steph Dunstall said the event will focus on normalising vital conversations and raising awareness about the importance of palliative care.
“This day is about empowering communities with the information they need to plan for the future,” she said.
MLHD Specialist Palliative Care Stream Manager Judith Reid said National Palliative Care Week provides opportunities to engage in open and honest conversations about life’s most important choices.
“It’s a chance to break down barriers, dispel misconceptions, and empower ourselves and our loved ones to make informed decisions about care, aging, and end-of-life planning,” she said.
The Expo will be held at the Wagga Wagga RSL Club Mirage Room from 10.30am to 3pm on Monday 12 May and is open to everyone in the community.
The day will be divided into two parts:
- 10.30am-12pm: Community Conversations by Palliative Care NSW – a free education session bringing together palliative care experts and community members for open, thoughtful discussions on topics around end-of-life planning
- 12pm-3pm: Expert talks from local services and information stalls
Registration is essential. For more information and to register, visit https://events.humanitix.com/community-conversations-wagga-palliative-care-nsw or call 02 8076 5604.