Community
16 May, 2025
A 'gem' in the Hospice program
VOLUNTEERING gives Merran Koren a strong sense of purpose and a feeling of great satisfaction knowing that she can help bring peace and happiness into the world of others.
With a background in nursing and social work, it seemed only fitting that this kind-natured, gentle woman joined the dedicated band of volunteers with Warrnambool’s Hospice in the Home program just on 10 years ago.
During National Volunteers Week, May 19-25, it is only fitting we shine the light on the important work of the thousands of volunteers in our community who continue to work tirelessly behind-the-scenes to make the lives of others more comfortable, more fulfilling and more enjoyable.
Whether it’s a weekly social visit, lending a hand with daily chores, a phone call or a simple text message, the work carried out by volunteers across many platforms is so important - and valued.
People like Merran Koren help make the lives of others better.
But they don’t do it for any recognition or reward. They do it simply because they want to help.
“Volunteering can be amazing; and being a part of the Hospice in the Home team is so rewarding.
“I have the opportunity to meet so many lovely people, to hear some amazing stories and sometimes those stories haven’t been told to anyone else.
“Confidentiality is so important and curiosity is the key – stay curious; curious about people’s lives but don’t overstep the mark.”
Merran fondly recalls developing a bond with one lady who had been a morse code operator during the war, and who also shared her love of painting.
“When I first went to this lady’s home she was quite adamant she didn’t need me there nor did she want me there. I was basically told to sit in the corner and be quiet.
“But I was curious about her and her interests so one day I took along some crayons and some music and started to draw. It wasn’t long before she was criticising what I had done and started to correct me.
“That was the start of a lovely friendship.”
When faced with a life-limiting condition, the opportunity to remain in the comfort and familiarity of their home can often bring peace to not only those approaching end-of-life but also their families.
The care and compassion shown by volunteers such as Merran can have a long-lasting impact on those left behind.
“As end-of-life care volunteers we certainly can and do become attached to these patients and it can be very difficult when they die, but we are well trained to handle this,” she said.
“I believe if we know we are going to die we’ve got to do it well; there’s a giant celebration when we come into this world so we should be able to go out the same way.”
Merran’s husband suffered from Parkinson’s but she made sure his final days were filled with dignity and happiness.
“As a family we made sure we had an advanced care plan and everyone was fully aware of it. We had some of the funniest conversations in those last days.
“I guess I’m fortunate that my history of death has all been good experiences and I feel that’s how it should be.”
The sprightly 81 year-old not only devotes her time as a volunteer with the Hospice program, she also volunteers with the local CRISP group (Community Refugee Integration Support Program).
She joined the organisation in 2023 and thrives on helping people become integrated within their new communities.
“At the moment there’s about 10 of us in the group and we look after families who have immigrated to Warrnambool and help them in a whole range of ways.
“There’s nothing more rewarding than being a volunteer and I intend to continue to do so for as long as possible.
“I’m fortunate to be fit and healthy and that, in part, is due to staying in the moment. If it’s in the past, you’ve lost it; if it’s in the future it’s yet to come so just stay in the moment and stay curious.”
