Molly Awarded Churchill Fellowship!

"I am absolutely delighted to inform you all about ‘our’ Molly Carlile and a Churchill Fellowship This is terrific news! Molly has been awarded a 2008 Churchill Fellowship to travel overseas and explore health promotion activities using the arts. Her project, “Using the arts to support community ‘death discussions’”, will allow her to explore how the arts are being used in health promotion activities internationally. Molly hopes to identify successful strategies that can be applied to encouraging Australian communities to discuss issues of death, grief and loss using the performance, visual and creative arts as the catalyst.

"The Winston Churchill Memorial Trust has a vision of “Rewarding Australians striving for Excellence” and awards Fellowships annually to successful applicants across a range of disciplines. Applicants undergo a rigorous submission and selection process. This year 120 Churchill fellowships have been awarded nationally, 25 in Victoria. Molly will be presented with her Churchill Fellowship by the Governor of Victoria, Dr. David de Kretser AC, on July 18th 2008 at Government House, and plans to commence her Fellowship by travelling next year to the United States, United Kingdom and Ireland.

"I am sure you will all join me to congratulate her, as it is a magnificent achievement."

Anne Oakley, Chairperson
North and West Metropolitan Region Palliative Care Consortium

See news reports.

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Four Funerals in One Day

Four Funerals in One Day is a short play about the importance and value of stories in palliative care. By Alan Hopgood In collaboration with Molly Carlile. Touring metropolitan, rural and regional Victoria in 2009. Book early to avoid disappointment!



Actors: Margot Knight, Alan Hopgood, Babs McMillan, Michelle Hall
Proudly sponsored by Palliative Care Victoria, North and West Metropolitan Region Palliative Care Consortium and Southern Metropolitan Palliative Care Consortium.

Synopsis
This play is based on true stories and it is the positive attitudes of the story tellers that allows this play to be both informative and an entertaining comedy.

Karen is a community nurse caring for her first dying patient. Clarrie has had enough of being a burden on his family and wants to die now. Vi is tired and bad tempered and wondering why she stays working in palliative care, particularly as she has her own problems at home and Sue is walking the fine line of acting as a mentor for junior staff and supporting a colleague who isn’t coping. Four Funerals in One Day is a performance piece that explores the human reality for patients and professional carers living and dying in palliative care.

Four Funerals in One Day had its world premiere at the 9th Australian Palliative Care Conference at the Melbourne Convention Centre on August 29th 2007. The impact of the play was tangible as the audience laughed loudly when they recognised elements of themselves and their colleagues in the characters. Many admitted later that they cried at times as well! The professional actors played their roles with empathy and humour and managed to hold the audience captive until the final curtain fell. Loud applause and long discussions followed.

Some of the responses from the 600 strong audience included:
• 98% thought the play was a good medium for delivering information
• 97% found the play entertaining
• 96% identified with issues in the play
• 83% agreed that the play raises issues that a general audience would understand
• 82% agreed that the play would raise awareness to assist palliative care workers

How can your organisation use “Four Funerals in One Day” to raise awareness of palliative care in your community?

With little infrastructure required, “Four Funerals in One Day” can be performed in local theatres, school or community halls, clubrooms or any venue that has a raised platform and access to basic lighting and sound systems. There are few props required and the actors provide their own costumes.

The basic cost for one performance of the play is $3500 (plus GST), plus transport and accommodation, if relevant.

For your investment you have access to a cast of highly reputable, professional actors who you will recognise from stage and screen. On completion of the performance Molly Carlile will Chair a community discussion of issues raised in the play which enables the hosting region to provide information about their local palliative care services to their local community.

The play runs for approximately 40 minutes, however with the following Community Forum, the performance can be tailored to suit the needs of the organiser to offer an extended programme. You might like to have a wine and cheese tasting or supper to accompany the Forum. The opportunities are only limited by your imagination!

It is suggested that organisations approach local businesses and service clubs to support the promotion of the play, provide a venue or donate goods. You could also charge an admission fee or ask for donations on entry. How you approach this is up to you.

“Four Funerals in One Day” will help your organisation to embrace Health Promoting Palliative Care in an innovative and creative way that both educates and entertains the audience.

How to bring Four Funerals in One Day to your town

Expressions of interest are now being accepted for the 2008 tour. Enquires can directed to Palliative Care Victoria or Bay Street productions by completing the following form and either faxing or emailing to:
info@pallcarevic.asn.au
alanhopgood@hotmail.com

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Utopia

Utopia is an international conference for awakening souls. The inaugural Utopia International Conference was held on August 22-24th 2008 in Noosaville, Queensland. The 2009 conference promises to be even better. Stay tuned for more information.

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The Embassy at Pier 9

The Embassy at Pier 9 is a groundbreaking initiative with the primary focus of raising community awareness and involvement in all aspects of spirituality.

The Embassy's mission and vision acknowledges the need in all people to feel connected to their spiritual self and to their community and aims to provide a range of opportunities for people to explore these aspects of themselves. Spiritual awareness is not necessarily linked to any formalised religious structures but involves awareness of the relationship we have with ourselves and others and how we create meaning in our lives.

The Embassy is currently negotiating to acquire space in the Central Pier precinct of Docklands, Victoria where it plans to establish a community space that provides a haven for people to explore all aspects of spiritual development and community relationships.

The Embassy plans to conduct courses, support groups, classes and discussion groups which focusing on:
•Community Building
•Health, well-being and fitness
•Spirituality
•Education & Leadership
and empower and embrace community organisations to become active in providing programs that address a demonstrated need in our community.

Ensuring that the space is all inclusive, the Embassy created at Docklandswill be a place where people from all faiths, backgrounds, cultures, traditions and social experiences can come together and learn, discuss, explore and connect.

Docklands is currently a dynamic developing area of central Melbourne that has the potential to become Melbourne’s heart. The Embassy’s vision is to ensure it has a soul.

If you would like more information on The Embassy, please contact Molly Carlile or Fr James Grant.
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Chaplains Without Borders

Chaplains Without Borders work with a range of organisations from corporations, such as banks or central offices, to semi-corporate organisations, like shopping centres or football clubs. We provide:

• Employee assistance and counselling services
• Training and wellbeing seminars
• Conflict management and mediation
• Leadership and Management Development
• Trauma and Serious Incident Management

Why a Chaplain?

Chaplains without Borders is an interfaith chaplaincy service that works across borders in two ways.

• Religious borders – our chaplains come from a range of different backgrounds. They’re not all priests, but all are interested in spirituality and the welfare of others.

• Borders of “Place” – Traditionally, chaplains have worked at hospitals or for military style organisations such as the army or police forces to provide counselling and spiritual guidance. But today there are a whole range of organisations that are looking for help, from major train stations, to banks and sports teams.

Each of our chaplains is trained in counselling and can give your people the keys to unlock their potential.

Find out more about the services we provide by exploring this site further or by contacting us directly at:
Email: frjames@keypoint.com.au
Mobile: 0425 721 962.

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North and West Metropolitan Region Palliative Care Consortium

This is my day job. The North and West Metropolitan Regional Palliative Care Consortium (N&WRPCC) is an alliance of specialist palliative care providers and was established in December 2004. It involves organisations that work in the community (caring for people in their homes), in acute settings (caring for people who are in a hospital) and in inpatient settings (providing care in a hospice or palliative care unit).
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