This celebratory dinner is one of the highlight events of the year for our club. We were honoured to have as our keynote speaker Dr Kristin Bindley OAM, an expert in the fields of palliative and bereavement care. The title of her address was 'Matters of Life and Death'. The acknowledgement to country and toast to Australia were delivered by the local mayor, Philip Ruddock.
The keynote speaker was introduced after dinner. She spoke of her early working life as a lawyer and her transition to health care whilst caring for a close family member. She then became involved with research into palliative care and also saw the importance of the co-ordination of grief and bereavement care. Her work has been centred in Western Sydney with its high level of disadvantage. Although in Australia we have a relatively high level of palliative care, it is estimated that the need will double by 2050.
Following her address, President David introduced the history of the club's annual Australia Day Merit Awards and with 3 previous awardees on hand, together the 2024 award was made to a very surprised Dr Kristin Bindley.
