Written by Lizzie Macaulay
I want to tell you about a sanctuary that exists right here in our community.
A place that, for many of us, exists in the periphery of our awareness. Something we know is there, but perhaps don’t really want to think about too much.
And yet, when more than 650 families in our region have experienced its embrace since opening, perhaps it’s time we all take a proper look at the extraordinary gift that is Fraser Coast Hospice.
The word ‘hospice’ itself can trigger a flutter of anxiety. It represents an acknowledgement of mortality that most of us spend our days deliberately not thinking about. But what if I told you that this place – this six-bed purpose-built facility nestled in Urraween – is actually one of the most profound sources of comfort and tranquility our community has to offer?
You see, what happens at Fraser Coast Hospice is nothing short of magical. It’s where the most vulnerable members of our community are surrounded by warmth, dignity and professional care. Where the clinical aspects of end-of-life care recede into the background, and the human elements – comfort, connection, and gentle serenity – take centre stage.
“What we provide isn’t just medical care,” shares Alicia, CEO-Director of Care at Fraser Coast Hospice. “We create a space where our clients can be themselves, not just patients, and where their loved ones can step back from being carers and simply be family again. That transformation – watching the relief wash over someone’s face when they realise they can just be a daughter or husband again – that’s the gift we’re privileged to offer.”
And it’s a gift that comes without a price tag. The fee-free care is available to anyone in our community over 18 with a terminal illness, whether their stay lasts mere minutes or stretches to several days.
The space itself strikes that perfect balance – neither too clinical like a hospital, nor too informal to provide proper care. It’s a compromise that feels less like compromise and more like the best of both worlds. The quiet, calming atmosphere. The attentive staff and volunteers. The everyday comforts of home.
What’s particularly special about Fraser Coast Hospice is how it humanises what is ultimately our most shared experience. In a culture that often pushes death to the periphery, the Hospice brings it back into focus with grace and tenderness.
There’s something profoundly moving about a space that honours not just the physical journey, but acknowledges the deeper questions that arise as we approach life’s horizon. The Hospice creates room for whatever beliefs bring comfort—whether that’s faith in an afterlife, the continuation of energy in different forms, or simply finding meaning in the legacy we leave behind. This openness allows each person to find their own sense of completion and significance, without imposing any singular view.
This compassionate approach depends on a community of dedicated individuals who believe in the value of dignified end-of-life care. At the heart of this community are the volunteers, whose presence embodies the hospice philosophy of human connection during life’s most vulnerable moments.
For these volunteers who give their time, the rewards are immeasurable. There’s a genuine camaraderie that develops among those who share in this most meaningful work – a connection that comes from collectively contributing to something profoundly important.
Of course, providing this level of care requires resources. While government funding helps, it doesn’t cover everything. The Hospice needs to raise nearly $750,000 in public money annually to maintain their services – that’s over $2,000 every day.
This is where you might consider becoming a Hero of Hospice through their monthly giving program. Whether you contribute $10 or $100 per month, you’re helping ensure that when your neighbours, friends, or perhaps someday your own loved ones need this care, it will be there waiting.
Or perhaps you might consider volunteering. While it might seem counterintuitive, those who volunteer at the Hospice often describe it as one of the most life-affirming choices they’ve ever made.
As I reflect on what Fraser Coast Hospice means to our community, what stands out is the gentle reassurance it provides. Not just for those receiving care in their final days, but for the families who can focus on what matters most – being present, sharing love, and saying meaningful goodbyes.
And isn’t that, ultimately, what we all hope for?