Community
21 September, 2026
Passionate advocate for home hospice
WHEN it comes to advocating for Warrnambool’s Hospice in the Home program, co-founder Eric Fairbank is at the forefront.
Having recently joined Warrnambool and District Community Hospice as a director on the committee of management, Eric is passionate about ensuring the needs and expectations of all families are met.
The hospice group is a not-for-profit community organisation behind the establishment of the ‘Hospice in the Home’ program – where trained volunteers support families that are caring for a dying person at home.
Over the past 11 years, the service has supported more than 370 families across the region through their most difficult of times.
And momentum is now gathering for the organisation to act as a catalyst to further develop this region as a Compassionate Community.
“Such a community develops networks of everyday people to support each other through serious illness, ageing and frailty, disability, dying and bereavement, in addition to any care they might receive from health professionals,” Mr Fairbank said.
“The development of these networks is promoted by volunteers who are trained as community connectors.”
Mr Fairbank said training for this role differed from that of the volunteers involved in home care.
“Connectors are taught the processes of developing informal networks made up of family, friends and neighbours,” he said.
“They also become familiar with other resources in the community such as church groups, service clubs, and other community groups that might be added to the informal networks.
“Familiarity with end of life issues is also important.”
Further to this role, connectors might develop partnerships with community institutions such as aged care facilities, retirement villages, churches, schools and businesses so that they too know where to seek additional support.
“Connectors do not provide home care themselves,” Mr Fairbank said.
“Rather, they visit a person or family to assess their needs, then connect them to the appropriate resources. In time this may have the hospice-trained community connectors referring people to the hospice-trained home care volunteers.”
In a compassionate community the aim is for everyone to know what to do when someone is dying or grieving, therefore community education to raise awareness of these issues is also essential.
This can be achieved through workshops, courses for carers, and by regular information provided through the various forms of media.
“In the long run a compassionate community has neighbours running errands, making meals, and helping each other out; just being kind to each other,” he said.
“Workplaces and schools offer supportive, flexible environments for staff or students going through difficult times and community centres or local neighbourhood houses can host events to start the discussions around the support they need, end-of-life planning and grief support.”
Mr Fairbank said the organisation was now welcoming those interested in joining the volunteer list.
“Anyone can join our volunteer list by filling out an expression of interest at https://warrnamboolhospice.org.au/volunteer-with-us/ and by simply clicking “Register Today”
“We are also looking for talented people to join our committee of management.”
This year the group is particularly interested in professionals with broad community networks, social media or marketing, legal or advocacy expertise.
Interested people should email Jeanette Miller via president@wdchospice.org.au or call 0417 945 771 prior to September 28.
