Palliative Care NSW is pleased to announce the finalists for the 2026 NSW Palliative Care Volunteer of the Year Awards. We have four finalists in each category and have included a brief summary of each here. Stay tuned over the next few days as we share more information about our amazing individual and team finalists.
Volunteer of the Year Finalists
Kate Clark – HammondCare Braeside Hospital
Kate Clark has made an extraordinary impact at HammondCare Braeside Hospital through the Life Story program. Her thoughtfulness led to a family photoshoot for a young mother, creating a lasting legacy. Known for her calm professionalism, Kate ensures every patient feels valued and supported during their final journey.
Margaret Dark – Wauchope Palliative Care Unit
For 30 years, Margaret Dark has supported families at the Wauchope District Memorial Hospital Palliative Care Unit. A specialist in bereavement care, she conducts vital follow-up calls and assists the allied health team. Margaret is a true inspiration whose selfless commitment provides comfort to her community.
Kathy Hawkins – HammondCare Greenwich Hospital
Kathy Hawkins has brought dignity to HammondCare Greenwich Hospital for over eight years. She creates calming environments using hand massage and the reverie harp to relieve patient anxiety. Always going above and beyond, Kathy provides a deep emotional and spiritual connection to those receiving palliative care.
Sandra Hiscock – Southern Highlands Community Hospice
At Southern Highlands Community Hospice, Sandra Hiscock takes on multiple volunteer roles balancing board duties with managing a new community-visiting program. She mentors volunteers and personally visits aged care residents weekly. Sandra’s drive and empathy have significantly enhanced local support, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to her peers and the broader community.
Volunteer Team of the Year Finalists
Sacred Heart Biography Service
The Sacred Heart Biography Service provides holistic care by recording the life stories of palliative care patients. For seventeen years, this team has created legacy documents that honour each patient’s unique identity. Their therapeutic work was featured in the documentary, A Friend in Death, highlighting the power of storytelling.
Western Sydney Supportive and Palliative Care Volunteers
The Western Sydney LHD Palliative Care Volunteers provide compassionate, sensory-based support across their culturally diverse community. Through hand massages, aromatherapy, and the popular Jolly Trolley, the team brings comfort. Their dedicated presence ensures that no one in Western Sydney faces their end-of-life journey alone.
Dungog Shire Palliative Care Volunteers Inc.
Serving a rural region, the Dungog Shire Palliative Care Volunteers provide a vital lifeline where transport is limited. They offer free medical transport, equipment loans, and specialised linen services 365 days a year. In 2025, the team dedicated 1,400 hours to helping vulnerable residents maintain their independence.
Nepean Hawkesbury Supportive and Palliative Care Volunteers
The Nepean Palliative Care Volunteer Team supports isolated individuals across the Blue Mountains. By providing transport, biography services, and advocacy, they enable patients to remain at home. Their professional, person-centred approach builds deep trust and reduces pressure on families and the health system across the community.
A sincere thank you to everyone who nominated for these awards. The submissions were of an exceptionally high standard, and all nominees are truly deserving of recognition.
Please join us in congratulating these volunteers and teams on being named finalists. Palliative Care NSW will announce the award winners on Wednesday 20th May during National Volunteer Week.
These awards are made possible with funding from the NSW Ministry of Health.