Greenwich’s Kathy Hawkins Named Finalist in NSW Palliative Care Volunteer of the Year

It takes a very special person to volunteer in palliative care, supporting individuals and families with compassion, dignity and care during one of life’s most profound and vulnerable stages.

The NSW Palliative Care Volunteer of the Year Award was launched last year by Palliative Care NSW through its Volunteer Services Support Program.

The Volunteer Services Support Program is designed and delivered by Palliative Care NSW and funded by the NSW Ministry of Health. The program champions palliative care volunteering across the state by providing resources, education and support to volunteers and volunteer services, while helping build capacity across the sector.

The award aligns with National Volunteer Week, which celebrates the tireless efforts of volunteers across all sectors who help build stronger and more connected communities.

Kirsty Blades, CEO of Palliative Care NSW says “Palliative care volunteers are an incredibly important part of a palliative care team and service. They offer people companionship, comfort and respite during very difficult times. The positive impact palliative care volunteers have on their community is significant. These awards recognise this contribution, and we congratulate Kathy for being named as a finalist,” said

The Finalists

This year, the awards feature two categories: Individual and Teams, with four finalists announced in each category on 31 March.

The award winners will be announced on Wednesday 20 May during National Volunteer Week.

Individual finalists

Why was Kathy Nominated

NSW Palliative Care has recognised Kathy Hawkins for her outstanding contribution to the Northern Sydney community, naming her as one of four individual finalists in the NSW Palliative Care Volunteer of the Year Award.

For more than eight years, Kathy has brought comfort, dignity and compassion to people receiving palliative care at HammondCare Greenwich Hospital. Through her warmth and presence, she has created deeply meaningful spaces for patients, forming strong emotional and spiritual connections with those she supports.

Kathy sees her volunteering as a privilege and brings her whole heart to the role. She is known for consistently going above and beyond, including covering vacant shifts, taking on extra tasks and using hand massage to help relieve anxiety and ground her patients.

She is also known for playing the reverie harp in the palliative care unit. The gentle music helps create a calming and reflective atmosphere for patients, families and staff.

Her passion for supporting people receiving palliative care runs deep, and her contribution has made a lasting impact on the HammondCare Greenwich Hospital community.

What Is Palliative Care?

Palliative care is care and support for people of any age who have a progressive, life-limiting illness.

It aims to maintain or improve a person’s quality of life by supporting their physical, emotional, social, cultural and spiritual needs. Palliative care also recognises the needs of family members and carers, including grief and bereavement support.

What Do Palliative Care Volunteers Do?

Palliative care volunteers play an important role in supporting people living with life-limiting illnesses and their families.

Their role often focuses on companionship, emotional support, psychosocial wellbeing and giving carers a chance to take a break.

Volunteers may visit people in their homes, hospitals, palliative care units or aged care settings. In NSW, there are more than 40 palliative care volunteer services and over 1,000 palliative care volunteers.

To find out more about becoming a palliative care volunteer in NSW, visit the Palliative Care NSW Volunteer Hub.

Congratulations to local Kathy Hawkins on being named a finalist.