Our History

New blood emerges! Unfortunately, notes on this meeting appear to have been lost but those elected were:
President – Maureen Knowles
Vice-President – Martin Jones
Secretary – Barbara Gardam
Treasurer/Public Officer – Viki Elphinstone

The first training program for Volunteers was launched with 20 Volunteers completing the course on November 28, 1989.
At the annual meeting in 1990, Mrs Viki Elphinstone was elected as Training Co-ordinator, the first of the Association, while Mrs Lyn Evans was elected as Volunteer Roster Co-ordinator. From this time onwards, the Hospice Care Association of North West Tasmania has never looked back. Chairmanship and other positions continued to change, with a future steadying of positions leading stability to the Association.
Fund raising began with a good response from members, who also began talking to community groups to bring understanding to those unfamiliar with the concept of Hospice.
In 1990 three members, Viki Elphinstone, Barbara Gardam and Lorraine Edwards attended the first Australian Conference on Hospice and Palliative Care in Adelaide.
In 1991 Hospice Care branched into the Mersey-Leven area and Volunteer training was commenced. With this came the need to appoint a Roster Co-ordinator for the area, a position voluntarily filled by Vicki Jeffrey. Visits were made to the Association for the first National Hospice week in 1992 by Mr. Mal McKissock for a two day seminar and by Professor Norell Lickissc.
In the following years, an annual ball was held as a money raiser, as well as raffles and button days for much needed funds. Volunteer speakers were also invited to community organisations to raise public awareness of the Association.

Throughout this time, members worked from their own homes and much credit is due to Lyn Evans for the time she gave working from her own home (1989 – 1993). But the number of requests was growing, so in March 1992, the group began looking for office space.
It was with much delight, and after considerable negotiation, Hospice accepted an office in the Jones Street Health complex, and moved there in in April 1993. Donations of furniture and equipment were thankfully received from business houses and community organisations.
With the move into its own office, Hospice had met all its short-term goals.
The office proved to be invaluable for the Association, as by now there were 62 Volunteers on the coast and about 10 clients on the list at any one time. At this stage, it was essential to look for funding to enable Hospice to continue its services.
The Federal Government Palliative Care Program funding in 1994 covered a part-time Coordinator (Viki Elphinstone) and Clerk (as Lyn Evans was unable to continue), plus the purchase of a car. A grant of $71,000 was made for the first year, with $54,000 for the following three years.
The Federal Government Palliative Care Program funding in 1994 covered a part-time Coordinator (Viki Elphinstone) and Clerk (as Lyn Evans was unable to continue), plus the purchase of a car. A grant of $71,000 was made for the first year, with $54,000 for the following three years. Hospice Care Awareness week began to be held annually with Button Day appeals contributing to still much needed funds.

In 1996, the first Memorial Service was held and continues on an annual basis to the present time.
A grant of $8,500 from the Rural Access Programme in February 1998 allowed expansion of services to encompass the far North West and West Coasts with the commencement of Volunteer training in Smithton, Zeehan and Queenstown. 20 volunteers completed the Circular Head training course and Jan Nes was appointed Roster Coordinator. Office staff at the Hospice Care Association moved to new premises at Parkside, Burnie in January 1999, combining space with Palliative Care Nurses and Social workers.

In 2002/2001 funding for the Association became a critical issue and it appeared that the Association could not continue. However eventually a special government grant for 2 years provided operating funds and in 2003 acceptance of a 5 year business plan guaranteed funding for the ensuing 5 years. A new 5 year plan was submitted to ensure continued operation after June 2008.
In May 2002 the Association was given the opportunity to take over the running of the kiosk at the North West Private Hospital which was ably managed by Volunteer and Board member, Dianne Fitzgerald for a period of 5 years before handing over the reigns to Janet Warner in 2007. Unfortunately the kiosk was not performing as well as hoped and in October 2008 Hospice ceased its association.

In August 2003 Viki Elphinstone moved on to work with Palliative Care after 15 years of dedicated work, of which 6 years were voluntary. Her contribution cannot be underestimated in the moving of the Hospice Care Association from a small, committed group of people to a viable business, but nevertheless, still a large group of committed people.

Vicki Jeffrey took over as manager and after a challenging 12 months, Gaylene Reid was appointed as Roster Coordinator in 2004. Vicki resigned in September 2006 after 15 years with the Association. This was followed by a short period with Gaylene as acting manager until a manager, Liz Leslie was appointed in October. Liz managed the Association for two and half years before leaving in March 2009 at which time Gaylene Reid was appointed manager. She was supported in the office by a Volunteer, Helene Atkinson for about 4 months and then Sue Jordan returned in a regular two day a week capacity.

Gaylene Reid resigned in 2014 and Lois Berry was appointed Manager in early 2015. Sue Jordan retired in late 2016 after 12 years of service in the office. Her role was briefly filled by Lorriane Church before Michelle Malley started in the Coordinators role in late 2017.

In late 2019 Leanne Arnol joined the office as an Office Relief.