Judy Hollingworth, local resident and palliative care volunteer, is speaking on an issue close to her heart.

After caring for her sister with a terminal illness, Judy knows the crucial value palliative care services bring to the life of the ill, their carers and nurses.

Numerous people aid in the process, from the nursing staff to the allied support, like physiotherapists, occupational health therapists and social workers.

"It's not just about saying 'I'm sick,' there's a whole other story on the impact of terminal illness on their life, and the life of their family," said Judy.

This impact was addressed at a palliative care meeting organised by Judy and held at Club Taree on Tuesday, August 4.

The purpose of the meeting was to engage residents in the need for a community group to aid in the support, fundraising and advocacy of palliative care services in the local area.

Personal palliative experiences were shared by speakers and the audience, revealing that a great uncertainty exists towards palliative care services in the region.

This uncertainty includes what the services are, how to access them and the difficulties obtaining services, such as respite.

"Speakers were very good at communicating their expertise and their piece of the picture," Judy said.

Speakers included Taree GP Dr Colin Rose OAM, who has long supported palliative-care patients carers and teams, Dr Yvonne McMaster OAM, a retired palliative specialist from Sydney and campaigner for properly-resourced palliative services in regional NSW, president of the Great Lakes Hospice Elizabeth Fisher OAM, Aunty Barbara Clarke OAM, Greater Taree City mayor Paul Hogan, local palliative care clinical nurse consultant Trish Lowe and certified palliative care volunteer with Hunter New England Health, Judy Hollingworth.

Through her tireless campaigning Yvonne McMaster was able to convey the way palliative care funding works in NSW.

"In NSW the funding comes from the State government to the local health district, the local health district then decides what proportion goes to palliative care," explained Yvonne in a interview with the Manning River Times on Wednesday.

According to Yvonne and Judy, mayor Paul Hogan, who has had his own personal experience with palliative care, clearly understands the importance of palliative care and can see just how integral it is to the welfare and the well-being of the community.

Yvonne urged both the mayor and member for Myall Lakes Stephen Bromhead to contact the Minister for Health, Jillian Skinner and the chief executive officer of Hunter New England Local Health District, Michael DiRienzo to inform them of the gaps in the provision of palliative care in this area.

Yvonne met with Stephen Bromhead in Parliament House in Sydney yesterday.

Yvonne described the meeting as "very helpful" and said Mr Bromhead would be speaking to Mr DiRienzo on the need for a dedicated social worker and occupational health therapist.

He would also address the issue of dedicated to palliative care beds in local hospitals, an issue, Yvonne said, local individuals spoke to her about at the meeting.

Mr Bromhead has also promised the funds raised from his annual Senior Citizens Concert will be donated to the new palliative care group in 2016.

Members of Taree Quota, who attended the meeting, also put their hands up for future fundraising.

Expert in fundraising for palliative care and president of the Great Lakes Hospice, Elizabeth Fisher OAM explained how their group, that was formed in 1989, provides support for people in need of 24-hour palliative care.

"They make the whole thing work like clockwork," said Yvonne.

"The great thing about Great Lakes Hospice is they are rapidly responsive to the needs of the palliative care services. So when the service says we need a social worker, instead of saying they don't have one - they pay a private social worker."

"They give help when its needed, as soon as its needed and that's a wonderful thing."

Judy said Elizabeth has proposed the groups could work together, and Judy is also hoping to form a connection with Hastings Home Hospice, based out of Port Macquarie.

Due to clear support of the idea of a new palliative support group the next step will be the enrol the residents interested in being part of the group at a meeting on August 18 at Ormbsy House at 6pm.

"Our role will be to do the bits the nurses can't do. We can't be carers, but we can marshall ourselves with resources, and coordinating the things available," said Judy.

Judy explains the next meeting will be used to outline executive roles and group's name, and urges anyone interested in palliative care services in the area to attend.

"Its a very exciting moment, this is the start of something that's going to change things here," finished Yvonne.

laura.polson@fairfaxmedia.com.au