What’s Happening?
A deeply personal Toowoomba story has become the Queensland focus of National Palliative Care Week 2026.
Ambulance Wish Queensland fulfilled its 300th wish through a deeply personal day for Roma.
On Monday, 11 May, Roma visited her late husband’s grave at Drayton Cemetery.
The date marked the fifth anniversary of his passing.
After the visit, Roma shared lunch at Picnic Point with her daughters, Roma Jnr and Annie.
It was a simple wish, but it carried deep meaning.
For Roma, the day was about love, memory, family and a bond built over a lifetime.
Ambulance Wish Queensland is the signature program of Palliative Care Queensland.
It helps Queenslanders with life-limiting illnesses fulfil final wishes at the end of life.
Each wish is supported with dignity, care and compassion.
Roma’s wish was fulfilled with support from Wish team volunteers Rowen and Tracey.
Clinical Escort Lucinda also helped on the day.
Photographer Matt Ryan captured memories for Roma’s loved ones.
Palliative Care Queensland also thanked Toowoomba Hospice and Picnic Point for supporting the occasion.
Why It Matters
Roma’s story brought this year’s national theme into focus.
National Palliative Care Week ran from 10 to 16 May.
The 2026 theme was “Getting to the heart of it: Big Questions. Real Answers.”
Across Australia, the week encouraged people to speak more openly about death, dying and end-of-life care.
Palliative Care Australia said the campaign reached millions of people.
It also sparked strong interest in resources, events and public conversations.
Palliative Care Australia Interim CEO Simon Waring said Australians are engaging with palliative care in a more open way.
“This year’s National Palliative Care Week campaign has reached Australians in every corner of the country, with campaign content viewed more than two million times on social media, strong participation in community events, and a notable increase in people downloading online resources,” Mr Waring said.
“That level of engagement tells us Australians want clear, practical information about palliative care, what it is, when it can help, and how to talk about it. Most importantly, it shows people are ready to have more open and honest conversations about palliative and end-of-life care.”
But Mr Waring said the week also showed a serious gap.
“Too many Australians are still missing out on palliative care or accessing it too late,” he said.
“Palliative care helps people live as well as possible for as long as possible. It supports physical, emotional and practical needs, and brings comfort and clarity to both patients and families.”
“Starting conversations earlier makes a real difference. It helps people plan ahead, reduces uncertainty, and ensures care reflects what matters most.”
By the Numbers
- 300 wishes have now been fulfilled through Ambulance Wish Queensland, supporting Queenslanders with life-limiting illnesses and their families.
- 100 new wishes were fulfilled in little over a year, with the program growing from 200 to 300 wishes.
- More than two million social media views were recorded for National Palliative Care Week campaign content, showing strong public interest in palliative and end-of-life care.
Local Impact
Toowoomba was at the centre of Queensland’s palliative care story this year.
Roma’s wish connected Drayton Cemetery, Toowoomba Hospice and Picnic Point in one meaningful day.
It showed how end-of-life care can honour personal wishes, not only medical needs.
For families, moments like this can bring comfort during a hard season.
For the wider community, it is a reminder that care can include memory, place and connection.
Palliative Care Queensland CEO Louise O’Neill said the milestone reflected the compassion of many Queenslanders.
“Every wish fulfilled through Ambulance Wish Queensland creates a meaningful and unique moment for Queenslanders and their families, showing just how powerful compassion and connection can be,” Ms O’Neill said.
“It’s a reminder of the importance of social connection and making every memory matter.”
“This milestone, reached during National Palliative Care Week, truly does get to the heart of palliative care. Ensuring that what matters most to people is communicated and honoured and remains central at the end-of-life.”
“The growth from 200 to 300 wishes in little over a year, highlights Queenslanders need for quality, palliative and end of life care in all communities.”
Zoom In
Queensland marked National Palliative Care Week with several key moments.
The 300th Ambulance Wish Queensland milestone was one of the most personal.
The week also included a special Mega Wish event at PA Hospital.
The Queensland Parliamentary Friends of Palliative Care Group was launched at Parliament House.
Other events brought together therapy animals, community organisations and local health services.
Across the week, hundreds of Queenslanders joined discussions, accessed resources and took part in activities.
Ambulance Wish Queensland is supported by community volunteers, clinicians, nurses and volunteer paramedics.
Queensland Ambulance Service volunteer paramedics help make many wishes possible.
The program is proudly supported by the Queensland Government.
Palliative Care Queensland also thanked Queensland Health and Queensland Ambulance Service staff and volunteers.
Foundation Sponsors GQS and Mingary Care were also thanked for their support.
Zoom Out
National Palliative Care Week 2026 closed with strong engagement across Australia.
Palliative Care Australia said the campaign reached people in every state and territory.
The week encouraged Australians to ask clearer questions about palliative care, death, dying and end-of-life support.
The national signature event was held at Parliament House last Thursday, 14 May.
Dr Michael Chapman delivered the special guest lecture, “Rethinking Dementia and End-of-Life Care.”
The Q&A session was facilitated by PCA Board Chair Dr Peter Allcroft.
The lecture challenged how Australia understands dementia.
It also highlighted the need for earlier and better-integrated care.
Across the country, communities marked the week in different ways:
- Western Australia: Palliative Care WA held its annual NPCW Breakfast in four locations. It was livestreamed across the state. Optus Stadium and Matagarup Bridge were lit orange. Other events included a PalliLEARN session, advance care planning workshops and a Grief Cafe.
- New South Wales: PCNSW held a webinar on the iCanPlan Program on 12 May. It focused on advance care planning for culturally and linguistically diverse communities. A professional education day was held on 15 May and livestreamed from Sydney to nine regional hubs.
- ACT: Palliative Care ACT coordinated Light Up Canberra Orange. It also held a roundtable on paediatric palliative care. Health professionals, families, caregivers and community members were invited to share ideas.
- Victoria: Palliative Care Victoria hosted its 2026 summit in Melbourne on 15 May. The program covered First Nations care, dementia, disability, grief, bereavement, multicultural care, workforce support and voluntary assisted dying.
- South Australia: Palliative Care SA held its NPCW Breakfast on 13 May. The event included the launch of The Compassionate Alliance SA. It also featured a video message from Health and Wellbeing Minister Blair Boyer.
- Tasmania: Palliative Care Tasmania held Getting to the Heart of It in Hobart. The event included the launch of the new PalliCaring Guide and website, panel discussions, mindfulness sessions and community activities.
- Northern Territory: Stories shared during the week included Dr Christine Sanderson’s rural palliative care work. Her efforts have helped build training pathways for doctors in communities that need them most.
Palliative Care Australia thanked the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.
It also thanked member organisations, healthcare workers, carers, volunteers and advocates.
People with lived experience were also recognised for helping bring the campaign to life.
Their stories helped turn the week into a national conversation.
What To Look For Next?
Roma’s story shows why personal wishes matter at the end of life.
With 300 wishes now fulfilled, Ambulance Wish Queensland is seeking donations to continue the program.
More Queensland families could be supported as the program keeps growing across communities.
National Palliative Care Week also leaves a clear message, earlier conversations can lead to better care.