Beyond the Will

15/10/2025

Australia's 3 million provide and support to family members and friends who have a , mental illness, chronic condition or . As well as those who have an alcohol or other drug issue or people who are frail or aged.

Carers are an integral part of Australia’s and are the foundation of our aged, disability, palliative and .

During has some suggestions to . Not just this week, but year-round.


https://www.carersaustralia.com.au/

14/10/2025

You are probably not aware that there are at least 391,300 25 years old or younger. are often unseen, unpaid and unacknowledged in their role providing support and .

This may involve supporting family or loved ones with support due to disability, physical or mental illness, age, frailty or a substance dependency. They can be caring for:
❤️ parents or siblings
❤️ grandparents
❤️ aunts and uncles
❤️ cousins
❤️ partners
❤️ friends or
❤️ children.

Despite the significant challenges, they often see their care as part of their normal role. The provides financial, emotional and practical support for young carers.

13/10/2025

has her first . If you want to know more in comic and accurate detail, see the link below. You will definitely get a first hand perspective in a way not reflected in the information sheets.

As I have a history of breast and in my family, I am very familiar with this process - and a few additional ones.

sends invitations to free screening every 2 years to women and people with breasts aged between 50-74. However those between 40 and 74 are still eligible for the free screening service.

12/10/2025

For the next week - 12 to 18 October - it's . Many of us have been, or may become a carer at some point in our lives.

Australia has over 3 million carers - nearly 12% of Australia’s population. Of these:
❤️ 4.6% of all Australians (1.2 million people) are
❤️ 40% of primary carers rely on a government allowance as their main source of income
❤️ 66% of primary carers are female
❤️ 11% of carers are under the age of 25
❤️ 43.8% of primary carers have a disability.

calculated the value of as a whopping $77.9 billion in 2020.

12/10/2025

I have yet to see this, but I am looking forward to watching : Preparing for Death. It is the second film in the trilogy.

You can watch it for a small cost streaming from the 6th to 20th of October. There'll also be a live conversation and Q&A on Zoom on October 19th at 6pm EST.

When You Die Project seeks to Encouraging conversations and increasing comfort around death is a key aim of this projects. Understanding the dying process helps to reduces and supports healthy living, , and .

It has taken years to make the When You Die documentary trilogy and it has been a real honour to talk with so many amazing people.
Those featured in our films share their wisdom, experience and advice about how to support the dying and how to prepare for our own death.
Catch "Saying Goodbye: Preparing for Death" as part of our online screening event, until October 20
https://tinyurl.com/SG-OCT

11/10/2025

What is the secret to ? For the most part, the issue we as individuals can control is our lifestyle. Exercise, healthy eating, meaning and social connection are key positive factors. Avoiding things that damage our health such as ni****ne and alcohol are another part of the equation.

When Maria Branyas Morera — the world’s oldest person at the time — died at the age of 117 she had already requested that doctors study her body. She died last year in August and the University of Barcelona’s School of Medicine 2024 has now published the results.

The noted that researchers examined her blood, saliva, urine and stool to determine what factors contributed to her . She had excellent lifestyle habits, but also had great . Genetically she had factors which provided protection again , , and .

10/10/2025

is an award winning photographer. He also suffered from anxiety and always had “a mortal fear of dying”.

Despite this, after hearing the podcast on he decided to use his skills to share the journey of those involved. This includes families, , and people who wanting to access .

I saw his moving and enlightening exhibition earlier this year in Melbourne. There is also a book of the same name available.

10/10/2025

A beautiful way to prompt meaning in life at at the earlier this year.

Wandering through the gardens at night, with a wide range of and music humming through the trees and bushes is quite magical. Both natural and not.

The simple message of this caught my attention.

09/10/2025

founder of Australia, has written about the helplessness felt as his father lay dying in a pre-VAD world, the family “mute and frozen witnesses” to a from heart disease.

Another advocate, award winning writer tells of terrible deaths witnessed by his brother a rural GP. They choose it [VAD] because they want the power of choice,” Flanagan writes “not the impotence of an interminable torment”.

09/10/2025

Research and bodies have identified the following factors as drivers of inequitable or in Australia.

The briefest summary is:
📍low income, education and lack of employment
📍 living in disadvantaged areas or rural and
📍long distances and lack of
📍 racism and bias against Indigenous people or other marginalised groups
📍 membership of non-dominant culture
📍 and stereotyping people with a disability
📍 and
📍 and low understanding of the
📍 high and rising
📍 having a .

08/10/2025

There are many drivers for people to keep themselves active - which is an important factor in mental and and . Running is one thing people can do.

This inspiring trio continue to overcome issues that would prevent some people from leaving the house, let alone running 42 kms in one go. These include a leg stress factor, a broken kneecap, osteoarthritis in the hips, back spasms and cancer. Not to mention that they are all in their 70s.

The 2025 starts at 6.30am on October 12 in Batman Avenue and finishes at the MCG. Spectators are welcome.

07/10/2025

I’ll be running two afternoon workshops in November to plan your own funeral, wake, and (i.e., what you’d like to happen to your body).

These small-group, 3-hour sessions will help participants understand their , make informed choices, and document what truly reflects their values. By planning ahead, families can avoid unnecessary expense, conflict and stress.

Workshops will be kept small (no more than four participants) to allow for meaningful discussion and personalised guidance.

Reach out if you're interested or want more information. Tickets for and will be available via Eventbrite.