The Oceanic Palliative Care Conference (OPCC 2025) took place in Brisbane from 10 to 12 September this year. We congratulate Palliative Care Australia and Palliative Care Queensland Inc. for hosting such a fantastic event with a diverse program that has showcased the depth of what palliative care is. There were great opportunities to reconnect with peers and meet new ones, connect with future collaborators and challenge our thinking.
The 2025 National Palliative Care Awards
The National Palliative Care Awards were celebrated in a glittering ceremony hosted by comedian and palliative care advocate Jean Kittson. We are delighted that our 2025 NSW Palliative Care Volunteer of the Year winner, Kevin Stokes, took out the Outstanding Achievement in Volunteering award.
Kevin has been a dedicated volunteer with Great Lakes Palliative Care Support (GLPCS) for over 15 years. In his role as Equipment Officer, he has provided an extraordinary level of care to people living with life-limiting illnesses, offering not only practical support but also emotional comfort to patients, carers and families across the Forster region. His impact on the community is far-reaching. Under his leadership, the GLPCS equipment pool has expanded from a few items in a garage to hundreds of essential pieces now stored in a purpose-built facility. This equipment enables people to remain at home during their final weeks and days and is loaned free of charge. The service fills critical gaps when government resources are stretched, and it is available to anyone in need regardless of their circumstances. In addition, Kevin has coordinated the donation of 12 pallets of surplus equipment to palliative care services in Vanuatu, extending the benefit of his work beyond the local area.
“Kevin’s dedication, practical support, and unwavering care have improved the lives of countless patients and families. His contribution reflects what community-based palliative care volunteering is all about and it was a special moment to see him recognised on the national stage” said Kirsty Blades, CEO, Palliative Care NSW.
The top honours across eight categories went to:
- Emeritus Prof Margaret O’Connor AM, Monash University, Palliative Care South East, Victoria – Lifetime Achievement Award
- Dr Priyanka Vandersman, Flinders University, South Australia – Emerging Leader Award
- Dr Alison Bowers, Queensland University of Technology, Queensland – Emerging Researcher Award
- Women’s and Children’s Hospital (WCH) Paediatric Palliative Care Service, South Australia – Outstanding Achievement by a Team
- Territory Palliative Care, Alice Springs, Central Australia, Northern Territory – Outstanding Achievement in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Care
- Kevin Stokes, Great Lakes Palliative Care Support NSW – Outstanding Achievement in Volunteering
- Prof Jennifer Philip, Palliative Nexus Research Group, University of Melbourne, Victoria – Innovation in Palliative Care Award
- Dr Christine Sanderson, Territory Palliative Care, Northern Territory – Outstanding Achievement by an Individual
Palliative Care Australia CEO Camilla Rowland said the 2025 award winners and finalists represented the power of compassion, collaboration and innovation in improving the lives of people living with life-limiting illness.
“Palliative care is about matters of life and death with a focus on enhancing quality of life. These awards are a meaningful way to honour those who deliver care with empathy and excellence.
“Territory Palliative Care has dominated the evening with Dr Christine Sanderson’s Outstanding Achievement by an Individual honour and the Territory Palliative Care team’s Outstanding Achievement award in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Care.
“Emeritus Professor Margaret O’Connor’s recognition with the Lifetime Achievement Award has been inspirational. Margaret is a shining example of someone who has provided visionary leadership in our sector nationally and internationally. She has helped shape the field for over four decades and it’s wonderful to see the awards celebrate her contribution as a changemaker in palliative care,” Ms Rowland said.
2025 Live Well, Die Well Art Prize
During OPCC, Palliative Care Australia also announced the winners of the 2025 Live Well, Die Well Art Prize, a national initiative that invites artists to reflect on life, loss, and connection through creativity.
We would like to acknowledge the overall winner, Vicki White from NSW, for her artistic piece: Tethered To Earth’ 2024 (Photopolymer photogravure etching on paper).
We also want to celebrate Sarah Polkinghorne, a secondary student from NSW who was recognised among this year’s prize winners for her powerful painting ‘Letters from Joan’. We commend every artist involved in this year’s prize for sharing such moving reflections on life, loss, and connection.
The Oceanic Palliative Care Conference was also a wonderful opportunity to connect with our members, the PCNSW Management Committee, stakeholders, and partners.
