"We will discuss our purpose and intention, set up membership, a committee, our initial direction and priorities for action," explained the convener of the meeting and certified palliative care volunteer with the local district of Hunter New England Health, Judy Hollingworth.

"I want to harness the clear, strong community desire to provide more in palliative care in the Manning Valley as expressed by many - including the 100 people who attended our first meeting on August 4."

Speakers at the initial meeting were Dr Colin Rose OAM, a Taree GP who has long supported palliative care patients, carers and teams, president of Great Lakes Hospice Elizabeth Fisher OAM, Dr Yvonne McMaster OAM, a retired palliative specialist from Sydney and campaigner for palliative services in regional NSW, and Aunty Barbara Clarke OAM.

Dr Rose believes the initial meeting went extremely well.

From a medical perspective Dr Rose can see the extra support needed for GPs and nurses, a role he hopes the committee will fill in terms of advocating and fundraising to provide equipment, medications and personal services that people can find hard to provide for themselves.

"The meetings and the need for more help are in no way a criticism of Manning Hospital who are incredibly generous," explains Dr Rose.

"This will simply help them and other carers."

Dr Rose believes this is a crucial time for a support group like this to form, with the ageing population set to create a growing demand for these type of services in the area.

Dr Rose applauds local aged care facilities in the region which have expressed interest in updating their palliative care skills.

Dr Rose will attend Tuesday's meeting, to support those wanting to be part of the group in either a membership or managerial capacity.

"They should be valued - what they are doing is a really good thing."

He believes it is best to move along quickly now in order not to lose focus of the group's intention.

President of the Great Lakes Hospice Elizabeth Fisher OAM agrees, saying she believes people can get impatient if things don't get started.

"You will get amazing support once you have been seen to be doing something good for the community," Elizabeth said.

The Great Lakes Hospice was founded in 1989, after a community nurse was greatly concerned for palliative patients.

The initial meeting had around five in attendance, including Elizabeth, her husband and some local GPs and nurses.

"No-one really knew what was involved in it back then," she said.

The group's initial goal was to set up a hospice, which was met with the purchase and operation of Laurel House.

Unfortunately they could not obtain ongoing funding and the house became non-viable with supervision needed 24-hours a day.

The house closed around 1996 and from there Elizabeth and her committee went on to forge strong relationships with community nurses and staff at Forster Private Hospital.

The group now works closely with the medical staff to support them and provide them with help when it is needed.

A key part to this, Elizabeth explains, is communication, with medical staff attending the Great Lakes Hospice's monthly meetings.

Elizabeth is looking forward to working with Judy after the meeting.

All who are interested are welcome to attend.