Last meeting
Guest Speaker: Bryan Singh - Friends of Nioka, Palliative Care in Tamworth
Bryan Singh spoke about Friends of Nioka, the community group supporting the palliative care ward at Tamworth Hospital, which he has led as President for around 17 years. His involvement began after his own father spent his final three months in the ward. As Bryan put it, palliative care isn’t about dying - it’s about living your last days as well and as comfortably as possible, with the family supported through the journey.

Some key points:

• The Nioka ward opened in 1991. Friends of Nioka formed in June 2002 when the ward was under threat of closure, and has lobbied for its continuation and improvement ever since.
• Palliative care manages symptoms rather than chasing a cure. The ward runs a 3:1 patient-to-staff ratio, with two nurses always on across its six beds.
• It’s a “revolving door,” not a one-way one - many patients come in to get medication sorted, then return home.
• Lobbying has added 2.5 community nurses for in-home care, plus telehealth so patients in places like Inverell can consult palliative specialists without travelling to Tamworth.
• Friends of Nioka funds staff training and conferences, plus equipment - syringe drivers, patient slides, the coffee machine, and fresh flowers each week.
• The group spends around $50,000 a year on blankets, bedding, water, newspapers, medical equipment and more, and is increasingly focused on equipment families can borrow for home care.

The new ward: A $22 million build is underway, adding six new rooms (taking the total to twelve). Each room has its own ensuite and private garden, with a guest bedroom for family, a yarning circle developed with the local Indigenous community, and access for visiting pets. Friends of Nioka is contributing much of the furniture, fit-out and artwork.

Bryan closed with a line from Dame Cicely Saunders, a pioneer of modern palliative care: that what matters most is to listen, ease symptoms, support the family, and preserve dignity - “you matter because you are you.”

A second hat: Bryan also shared news of his new Rotary role as a Rotary Community Leader under the regionalisation pilot, covering Area 7 - the Tamworth clubs, Manilla, Barraba, Gunnedah and Quirindi. The role works alongside the districts to give clubs a more direct connection to Rotary International. He promised plenty of face-to-face contact and not many emails.

Cheque presentation: The Club presented Friends of Nioka with a cheque for $1,000. It will go towards Kylie patient slides - used to move patients safely at home - at around $70 each, with about 30 currently needed.

Thanks to Pete Dillon for the notes.