Latest News

Under the banner of the Gippsland Ethnic Communities' Council (GECC)  - Gippsland Interfaith, a forum was held at the West Gippsland Arts Centre on Tuesday 26th August, 2014 where project officers of the Ethnic Communities' Council of Victoria (ECCV), Elena Petreska  and Susan Timmins, presented a report on the "Culturally Responsive Palliative Care Community Education Project 2013-2014". The forum was an overwhelming success and attended by over fourty people from a variety of faith groups.       

Some of the findings of the report highlighted concerns felt in the ethnic communities investigated.  Such as the definition of palliative care; that palliative care can be given at home; families are always in control of the palliative care that members receive, and that ethnic communities had a strong feeling for "looking after their own". Palliative care can be used at any time during an illness and that there are many service providers through out the community.

Another major feature of the evening that generated quite a deal of interest was the presentations by leaders of the various faith traditions on information relating to  "end of life rituals and ceremonies".  The GECC - Gippsland Interfaith organised ten minute presentations from the following faiths:  Hindu; Sikh; Church of Jesus Crhis of Latter Day Saints; Christian, and Muslim.  These presentations highlighted many similarites between the faiths and the important place of family during end of life .    

The evening was chaired by Mr Lobley, Chairman of GECC - Gippsland Interfaith, who thanked all for their attendance and the interest  shown. That was particularly evident during supper, with animated and harmonious discussion between all the faith traditions present.

The success of this GECC - Gippsland Interfaith palliative care event have led to plans to have similar presentations throughout Gippsland.  

Pictured from rear from the left: Ron Pollard (GECC – Gippsland Interfaith), Dr Zafar (Gippland Australiam Muslim Community Inc), Susan Timmins (ECCV), Bhakta Dasa (Hindu), Jasminder Singh (Sikh) , Murray Lobley (GECC – Gippssland Interfaith Chairman); Jim Rohner (Church of Jesus Crhis of Latter day Saints)
 Front row from the left:  Elena Petreska (ECCV), Ann Lovison (Christian); Pam Rohner (Church of Jesus Crhis of Latter day Saints).