Community
23 January, 2026
Volunteers offer compassion and conversation
THE Warrnambool and District Community Hospice program offers people across the district the choice to die in the comforts of home, surrounded by loved ones.
The program also provides carers with some welcome relief, with trained volunteers happy to spend some time with those spending their final days at home – giving carers the opportunity to spend some time away, knowing their loved ones are being well looked after.
“Our program provides non-clinical care to people with life-limiting conditions, taking pressure off caregivers and the healthcare system,” executive officer David McIntyre said.
“This can involve something as simple as just sitting down with someone in their home and having a cuppa and a chat.
“We follow values of compassion, care, community and choice.”
Established in 2010, Warrnambool and District Community Hospice is the vision of Deidre Bidmade and Dr Eric Fairbank.
The pair were inspired by their work in palliative care to help people avoid spending their final days in a hospital.
With input from community leaders and local health professionals, they designed an innovative model of in-home support using trained volunteers.
The program receives no recurrent government funding and relies on the generosity of the community to continue to provide a service that is free and easily accessible to those who need it most.
“Our volunteers are just amazing; they are truly compassionate and caring – it’s a very rewarding role,” board member Sue Swayn said.
“All our volunteers are well supported in their roles and receive training before taking on home visits.
“Being a hospice volunteer is a great honour and a privilege I believe. To spend time with people during their final days can be an emotional journey, not just for carers and families but also our volunteers – you can’t help but get attached to people.
“We have so many elderly people across our district who wish to die at home so we’re always keen to increase our volunteer numbers.
“We have helped hundreds of families over the years, and our services are available to anyone across the western district, not just in Warrnambool, we also cover areas such as Camperdown, Mortlake, Cobden, Timboon, Terang and surrounds.”
One of the biggest fundraising events for the program is the well-known ‘Warrnibald’ (portrait and art event) – which recently changed its name to the Warrnambool Festival of Arts.
Maryanne Owen, a member of the fundraising committee for the festival, said this year’s event would once again no doubt attract a high level of quality entries from far and wide.
“This art show is the main fundraiser for the hospice program and we are very appreciative of all entrants and visitors throughout the show,” Maryanne said.
“This year it will run from May 15-21 at the racecourse and it will be a celebration of lots of different arts.
“New to the program this year will be photography and children’s artwork and we’re planning an All Abilities day, an Indigenous day and a Volunteers day.”
The previously held event attracted 47 portraits and 105 general art pieces (including five works in the All Abilities category) and Maryanne is hoping these numbers will be even higher in 2026.
“We hope to see an increase in the All Abilities category in particular, and we’re excited to see the inclusion of photography and children’s artwork this year.”
With the major prize of a trip to Paris, there’s no doubt this year’s event will once again attract quality artists far and wide.
Anyone wanting more informat-ion on Warrnambool and District Community Hospice (or if you’re interested in becoming a volunteer) simply email David at info@wdchospice.org.au.
