PCSE NEWS
A Nation of Palliative Carers Inspires Nurse
Growing up with compassion at the centre of her family’s values prepared Taz well for her role in palliative care. After training as a nurse in Melbourne and cutting her teeth on the oncology ward of a major hospital, Taz joined PCSE and was recently promoted to the role of Team Leader.
Counsellor Praises Migrant Community Support Networks
Palliative care counsellor Nim Herath Miyanadeniya knows that compassionate communities and support from a wide network of friends can protect the mental health of clients and their families after they are diagnosed with a life-limiting illness or terminal illness.
Until Death Do Us Part – End of Life Companions
Supporting palliative clients and their families with a trained volunteer that provides companionship as they navigate their end-of-life journey is...
Improving Palliative Care in Aged Care
Kellie Bradley’s earliest memories are of wanting to care for others and nurse them. However, it was watching the tenderness and care of the nurses that supported her grandfather, after he was diagnosed with bowel cancer, that convinced her she needed to join palliative care. Those nurses were from the Dandenong Palliative Care Centre, now part of Palliative Care South East (PCSE).
Music Therapy Hits the Right Note for Gayle
Gayle Zachariah loved music and music therapist Cherie Baxter’s visits were one of the highlights of her week along with zooming into her weekly church service from home.
A Volunteer’s Journey to Palliative Care
Losing two husbands to cancer and nursing them to the end means Gwen has a deep understanding of the end-of-life journey that our clients, their carers and families are on. She knows that being diagnosed with a terminal illness takes a huge toll on the mental health and wellbeing of individuals and their families.
Our Impact Darlene’s Story
By Darlene Di Bianco One Saturday, our son Matthew (above) went to work and we got a phone call that he'd admitted himself to Monash in Clayton. He...
Our Impact Johanna Nind
75% of Australians will need palliative care before they die. Johanna Nind nursed her father until he died 35 years ago and now she has a life-limiting illness too.
Health Minister Opens our New Hub
We were delighted to have the Victorian Health Minister the Hon. Mary-Anne Thomas join us along with more than 60 guests for the official opening of...
And the Raffle Winners are…
There were 19 winners in our Christmas raffle which raised $785 that will be used to meet the urgent needs of our clients and their families. The...
Giving the Gift of Dignity
Dhwani Parikh gets great joy from giving people back their dignity and believes that is the gift an occupational therapist (OT) can offer people...
Meet Nurse Practitioner Rob Molenaar
Robert Molenaar with client Kathy George Robert Molenaar is a quiet achiever in the clinical care team at Palliative Care South East (PCSE). He...
Celebrating Carers
"Caring leaves its mark on us. No matter what we do to prepare ourselves, the hole left behind looms large" Dale L Baker, author of More Than I...
Erebus Motorsport donates merchandise to PCSE
Dandenong based Erebus Motorsport will be participating in the Bathurst 1000 Supercars race starting Sunday 9th October and, to mark the event, they...
Victorian Health Minister visits our new Palliative Care Hub
The Victorian Health Minister, the Hon. Mary-Anne Thomas, visited our new Palliative Care Hub and Wellness Centre in Narre Warren in September and...
Meet Nurse Wendy Watkins
When Wendy Watkins was 10 years old, her grandmother had a heart attack and went to live in a nursing home. Soon after, she had a stroke, lost the...
Carer Story: Jenk Akyalcin
In October 2020 Erika Akyalcin was referred to PCSE from her GP after receiving a terminal diagnosis. At 57...
Meet our Occupational Therapist: Natalee Gilmour
Natalee Gilmour completed her Allied health assistant certificate at Holmesglen in 2018, after moving From Broken Hill, NSW. She has worked at...
Meet our Occupational Therapists: Dhwani Parikh
Dhwani Parikh completed her Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy from India in 2004 and has been working as a registered Occupational Therapist...
Volunteer Memorabilia Program
PCSE's Memorabilia Program specialises in making memorabilia items from the clothing of a loved one by one of our talented and skilled volunteers....
Volunteer Snapshot: Hans Rutgrink
Hans became a PCSE volunteer after finishing his working career and seeing an advertisement in the local library for a volunteer position. He...
Volunteer Snapshot: Meet Josie Mastroianni
Josie has volunteered with Palliative Care South East (PCSE) for the past five years, making an incredibly valuable contribution to our service. She...
Volunteer Story: Glenyse’s experience during COVID-19
Glenyse Duck is a biography volunteer who works with PCSE clients in the ‘Sharing My Story’ program. She is an exemplary communicator, going above...
Client Story: Penny Haringsma
Penny Haringsma was a beautiful wife to her devoted husband Michael and a proud, dedicated and loving mother to her children Zoe and Riley. She...
Client Story: A letter from Lisa Giannopoulos
Lisa Giannopoulos’s husband was a PCSE client who participated in the ‘Sharing My Story’ program. This letter outlines her experiences working...
Anne Van Son: 30 years of Service
This year Anne Van Son celebrates her 30th year as a Palliative Care South East Volunteer. She began her journey in 1990, volunteering with...
The ‘Sharing My Story’ Program
Pam Glover has been a Palliative Care South East volunteer for the past nine years. She is passionate about providing emotional support, working to...
Meet our Community Liaison Officer
This year we welcomed Rochelle Dullard to our team as Palliative Care South East's Community Liaison Officer. Since commencing her role in February...