By Marcus Uhe
Palliative Care South East has been belatedly recognised with the Casey Community Group of the Year award on Tuesday 12 April as part of the City of Casey’s 2022 Australia Day Awards.
The Cranbourne-based service shared the award with the Narre Warren SES Unit.
Palliative Care South East was chosen for the award by the council for adapting their services during the challenging period of the pandemic, including the adoption of tele-health options, conducting home visits in full personal protective equipment and establishing the Bereavement Wellbeing Group, to help mitigate the mental health impacts of the pandemic.
Chief executive of Palliative Care South East Kelly Rogerson said the award was a “wonderful acknowledgement for our team”.
“It is a privilege for us to support such a large network of clients, carers, and families across Casey and to be recognised as the Community Group of the Year really demonstrates our commitment to supporting those with a life-limiting illness within our community to live well,” Ms Rogerson said.
“Our focus is on creating and supporting quality of life by managing complex care needs of individuals and their support network.”
Ms Rogerson said the service has experienced an increased number of people needing access to their services, and the need to stay at home to support them has put increased pressure on their staff to meet the demand.
“The team has worked incredibly hard to support people to die in their place of choice, provide symptom management, and offer a range of treatments to support client and carer health and wellbeing, as well as ongoing bereavement support.
“I think it’s important to acknowledge and celebrate the professionalism, teamwork, and commitment of those who work in palliative care and the important contribution that organisations such as ours make to the broader community.
“We wouldn’t be able to do what we do without the incredible support of our volunteers who so generously donate their time to support clients, carers, and families within our community.”
City of Casey Chair of Administrators Noelene Duff congratulated all the nominees for the Australia Day awards for the well-deserved recognition.
“Thank you for the contribution you all make to our community,” Ms Duff said.
“You give us all pause for thought as to what it means to be Australian, and we commend you on the investment of passion and talent that you have selflessly given, not only to the Casey community, but also to the people of our great nation.”
