Pauline is a former teacher and international education marketing and student recruitment manager.

Pauline’s late partner developed lymphoma and in accordance with his wish, died at home whilst receiving home-based palliative care. Pauline is grateful for the superb care he received from Dr David Brumley and the Bellarine Community Health Palliative Care nurses.

Following her partner’s death Pauline became involved in developing Compassionate Hearts on the Bellarine and lead the inaugural steering Committee

David trained and worked as a GP for many years before later diversifying to become a palliative care specialist.

David worked in Ballarat for many years and moved with his wife to Queenscliff in 2014, taking up positions at St John of God and Epworth Hospitals, Geelong and with Bellarine Community Health.

David continues to be the Medical Director of Ballarat Hospice Care. He is a past Board Member and Life Member of Palliative Care Victoria.

With a great interest in Compassionate Communities David has enjoyed being involved in the process of creating Compassionate Hearts on the Bellarine.

Geoff’s 30 year professional career was in science and science leadership/management in universities and with CSIRO.

Geoff has extensive volunteering experience (including leadership roles) on several organisations including suicide prevention and crisis support. Geoff was on the Board of a retirement village in the social housing sector for 25 years including time as Chairperson.

Geoff trained in the inaugural volunteer group of Compassionate Hearts on the Bellarine and has supported many people as a volunteer.

He has experienced first hand the importance of the valuable work the organisation offers people of the Bellarine.

Marg, a registered nurse, is the immediate past Chief Executive of Cooinda, a not for profit aged care service in Benalla. She has worked in many senior nursing roles including emergency care, midwifery and was responsible for the initial development of the Benalla Palliative Care Service.

Marg has experience in leadership, management, quality and effective communication. She has undertaken pastoral care and bereavement education and is a trained meditation teacher.

Marg believes in the vital role holistic palliative care has in supporting people with a life limiting illness and their families, in the journey of illness, death and bereavement.

Sally is the owner of The Celebrants Training College Australia and NZ. Sally is a death care advocate, mentor, educator and leader among celebrants. Her courses promote the opportunity for people to assist individuals and family, through an understanding of the process, and law of death and dying.

Sally authored Conversations About Death and the Heart and Soul of Celebrancy. Sally’s diversity of experience includes: celebrancy; IT; marketing, business ownership; training and education; writing, music and art.

Sally is also on the board of The Willow Tree Foundation.

Sally has been associated with the death and dying sector for over 30 years.

Sally lives in Portarlington. She is married to Diane and has 3 children and 7 grandchildren.

Trained as a doctor Kate’s original post graduate medical qualifications were in Anaesthetics and Intensive Care, working in England, Sweden and Australia.

Kate’s interest in cancer pain control and palliative care developed whilst she was working as an anaesthetist at Peter Mac.

Kate later became Director of Palliative Medicine at Monash University and Southern Health for 10 years prior to her retirement in 2016 and permanent move to the Bellarine.

Kate was surprised to find limited Palliative Care services available on the Bellarine, despite 30% of the population being aged 70 years or older. Kate was a founding member of the inaugural Compassionate Hearts on the Bellarine Steering Committee

Anne’s first 20 year working history was in Sydney, where she worked in The Department of Education, Employment and Training. She spent time in Aboriginal education and in the Austudy area. She qualified for her Bachelor of Communications on a part time basis whilst working.

In 1990 she moved to Ocean Grove following her father’s death and worked across Government and non -profit organisations. Her roles encompassed working with people with disabilities, illness and homelessness to improve their quality of life and to increase their self esteem and sense of worth.

Anne wound down her working life by working as a casual accommodation officer in Department of Human Services. She then ventured into running her own business as a dog nanny and dog walker. She was also a volunteer with Vision Australia training a Seeing Eye Dog,

Anne trained in the inaugural group of Compassionate Hearts on the Bellarine and has supported one short term client and another for over three years.

She also understands at a deep level the value and contribution Compassionate Hearts on the Bellarine makes to people with a life ending illness and their carer’s and families.

Secretary
Clinical Family Therapist and Counsellor employed by Drummond Street Services - Western Program Manager (Family Services). I have lived in Washington DC and Singapore where I was a volunteer for Hospice care & support with expat families. I have worked in Mental Health for forty + years and have experience and training in grief and bereavement.

Marita Scott BN, RN, Grad Dip Palliative Care, Community Health and Health Management

Marita is a health professional with experience in a diverse range of health and human services.

Her career has spanned district nursing, palliative care, aged care, disability, child, youth and family, asylum seekers and community health with a focus on senior management and executive leadership.

She is a current board member for Windana-Taskforce, Sisters of Mercy Australia & PNG Safeguarding Advisory Committee and Rotary Ocean Grove.

Marita is passionate about building healthy and inclusive communities and has personal and professional experience in palliative care.