first joined the Board of Ballarat Hospice Care back in 1997. Alan Bath, one of the founding members, approached me and asked if I’d consider getting involved. At the time, I didn’t have a direct connection to Ballarat Hospice Care, but I believed in the importance of supporting people through life’s most vulnerable moments, and I was ready to help however I could.

By 2002, I’d stepped into the role of Board Chair. I didn’t imagine then that I’d still be holding that role more than 20 years later – but the work kept evolving, and I stayed because I truly believed in what we were doing.

There have been challenging times. We reached out to the community, and I’ll never forget how they rallied around us. That level of support was a clear sign of how much people value this service. It reaffirmed everything I felt about why Ballarat Hospice Care matters.

Over the years, I’ve been privileged to watch the organisation grow – not just in size, but in depth and capability. We moved from modest beginnings into a purpose-built facility, launched our Op Shop, expanded our services, and kept finding new ways to support people at the end of their lives with dignity and compassion. That growth has only been possible because of the incredible team we have – staff, volunteers, board members, and the wider community all working together.

What’s always inspired me most is the heart of this place. The people who work here are remarkable. They bring not just professional skill, but genuine care to their work.

To me, Ballarat Hospice Care is summed up in one word: care. It’s in our name, and it’s in everything we do. I’m proud to have played a part in its story.

After nearly three decades on the Board, I’ll be stepping aside. But I won’t be disappearing – this place means too much to me. I’ll still be involved in whatever way I can, offering support and staying connected to a service that has become such an important part of my life.