The Highlands End-of-Life Project was founded by Lauren Moss and Bec Passey in 2023. Highlands, as she has become affectionately known as, evolved from a shared desire to support our community in end-of-life care. 

Lauren and Bec reconnected in early 2023 after knowing each other more than 20 years earlier – their daughters were best friends in primary school – but life had taken them in different directions. Their paths crossed again at a community meeting on sustainable deathcare, which led them to Newcastle in February 2023 to complete Death Doula training together. One evening in Newcastle, swimming in the pool and sharing a glass of wine, the seeds of Highlands were quietly planted.

 

They knew the region faces a critical shortage of medical services – with community palliative care nurses’ capacity stretched, chronic staffing shortages and insufficient palliative beds in the hospital, and no hospice facilities. As with many areas in Australia, there weren’t enough beds in the residential aged care facilities, support services were underfunded and long waits for aged care packages meant that isolated people were especially impacted. Death remained a largely taboo subject, with little open conversation about end-of-life, let alone planning for it. In short, there were significant gaps in the community. Something needed to be done. 

After careful consideration of various models – from a grassroots community group to a social enterprise – the decision was made to establish Highlands as an incorporated association and pursue DGR status, recognising how vital this would be for future grant funding and sustainability.

Following six months of research, consultation with the community, discussions with local stakeholders, conversations with similar organisations around Australia, endless cups of coffee and a couple of road trips later, the Highlands End-of-Life Project was officially registered in October 2023. Since then, we’ve delivered a range of successful community events, developed several key initiatives, trained a wonderful team of volunteers, and launched the Highlands Community Hospice Service. 
 

Highlands is an innovative grassroots organisation working to improve regional health and wellbeing outcomes by filling gaps in, and strengthening, the delivery of local services. We are committed to providing accessible, inclusive support for our community, while also engaging in the slower, deeper work of long-term cultural change. As community needs evolve, so do we – continually learning, growing, and expanding our reach.