A social worker and teacher with a life-long passion for social justice and working with people – particularly in supporting them at challenging times of their lives. Has worked locally in health and education for 40 years. Jenny believes everyone has the right to die a peaceful and pain-free death in a relaxed and comfortable environment.

Janice was a journalist for the local paper for many years. She is passionate about community issues and volunteers her media skills and expertise to many local organisations such as Ronald McDonald House, Orange Push for Palliative and Orange Regional Conservatorium.

Lesley is a passionate advocate for our community and local issues. She has had a long work history in vocational education and brings a wealth of experience and expertise into our organisation. Recently retired, Lesley is a Lifeline Telephone counsellor, and is currently studying for a Masters in Counselling.

Leanne joined our committee as Treasurer this year. Leanne has a deep commitment to our community and social justice. She just happens to be a practicing accountant – just what any committee needs!

Gail is involved as a volunteer in many local organisations and is the incoming President of Inner Wheel. She is also the life and soul of hockey in Orange. Gail is passionate about improving palliative care since the death of her husband Bill some years ago.

Sheelagh brings to OP4P many skills in understanding people and helping to support them. She has had a long and very worthwhile career as an occupational therapist. Sheelagh brings with her a lifetime of local networks and contacts that are invaluable to us.

Sue and Jenny Stewart are OP4P organisers of the volunteers who work on a roster at the Palliative Care Unit. They ensure that there are regular supplies of designer coffee and teas, snacks and light frozen meals.

Jenny & Sue Cedelland are OP4P organisers of the volunteers who work on a roster at the Palliative Care Unit. They ensure that there are regular supplies of designer coffee and teas, snacks, and light frozen meals.

Tracy was the first President of Orange Push for Palliative. She was one of the organisers of the first community meeting in 2015, and a member of the Hospital’s Palliative Care Community Consultative Committee. Tracy has been kept very busy as NSW President of the Hospital Auxiliary for the last number of years.

Jann has been passionate about palliative care since the 1970s. From her early work as a GP in Orange, to her position as Medical Superintendent at Orange Base Hospital, and then into her retirement, she has worked tirelessly to improve the health services and staffing at both the old and new Orange hospitals. Jann, along with Peter and Helen Brown, and Colin Tarn, created a two bed Palliative care unit at the end of Howse Ward in the 1980s – complete with kitchen, lounge area and garden. There was enormous community participation and support for this important project.

When the new hospital on Forest Road was built without a palliative care unit, or even any designated palliative care beds, Jann mobilised again to advocate for palliative care. She became a critical and invaluable member of the Community Consultative Committee for Palliative Care at the hospital. Along with Tracy Wilkinson and later Jenny Hazelton, she endured three years of frustration and enmity, with the Health Service resistant to any change. Her wisdom, and organisational and corporate memory was very significant in assisting our advocacy, such was the respect in which she was held.

Peter has been a foundation member of OP4P since 2015. He was elected our first Treasurer and was responsible for setting up appropriate governance for the new organisation. He lead the development of the constitution and the creation of a secure financial structure. He was responsible for registering OP4P as a charity, gaining tax deductibility status, and also listing OP4P as an Incorporated Association, complete with ABN.

He was responsible for creating for OP4P a strong and secure foundation to move forward.

Peter, along with Dr Jann Hunt (Porges), and his dear wife Helen, were instrumental in the creation of the palliative care unit at the old Base Hospital in the 1980s.

Sr Mary is a founding member of OP4P. Sister Mary has been a passionate member of our group. In her regular column in the CWD she continually promotes palliative care issues along with many other matters. In spite of her advancing years, Sr Mary attends all our meetings whether in the depths of a dark Orange winter or a tropical summer. She sells raffle tickets, and is a faithful attender of any event we hold.

Sr Mary was instrumental in the Bloomfield Hospital Auxiliary donation of the beautiful garden bench at Uniting Parkwood. When preparing an Information Booklet for the Palliative care Unit, Sr Mary mobilised the Minister’s Fraternal to provide contact details. She has always ensured that we, and the Hospital, keep the faith, and have it as an important part of palliative care for those who wish spiritual support.

One of the nation’s first palliative care specialists, Dr Yvonne McMaster didn’t slow down after she retired. Instead, she signed up to lead a support group for people with advanced cancer.

Learning that funding for palliative care had been cut and resources stretched, Dr Yvonne became one of the country’s most formidable health advocates. It took her just nine months to get funding restored to her local palliative care service (Northern Sydney) but all the while people were saying to her “if you think it’s bad in Northern Sydney, you should see how bad it is in rural areas”.

Yvonne was awarded an Order of Australia for her advocacy work, and was a Finalist for Senior Australian of the Year. This year she is Ku-ring-gai Woman of the year.

She started Push for Palliative to advocate for better access to palliative care across NSW, especially in rural and regional NSW. Her petition, asking the NSW Government to adequately fund palliative care wherever it is needed, has now been signed by 86,857 NSW residents and has so far triggered two debates in the NSW Parliament.

Now the Push for Palliative movement is growing across NSW to advocate for better resourced specialist palliative care services and, in some cases, to fundraise to provide additional services.