It’s a conversation most of us don’t want to have; planning for the end of our lives. But, it is a conversation which needs to be had. In areas out here, where the nearest major hospital might be hours away and conversations about difficult topics often happen over kitchen tables rather than in sterile waiting rooms, a unique opportunity is coming to Balranald that could change how families navigate one of life's most challenging journeys.

On Thursday, October 16, Balranald Ex Servicemen's Club will host something quietly revolutionary: a free Community Conversation about end-of-life planning, brought to town by Palliative Care NSW in partnership with Far West Local Health District.

In a region where palliative care provision has historically been inconsistent, particularly in rural and remote areas where access is limited, this 90-minute session can be a lifeline for families who've long felt they were navigating these waters alone.

The timing couldn't be more significant. Nearly half of those receiving palliative care will require treatment decisions to be made, and the majority will lack the capacity to make their own decisions.

Yet across rural Australia, advance care planning is documented for only 29.5 per cent of patients, leaving families to make heartbreaking decisions in crisis moments when emotions run high and time runs short.

“There’s great value in having these conversations before a crisis hits,” explains a Palliative Care NSW spokesperson. “Planning ahead gives people control over their medical care, reduces stress for families, and allows everyone to focus on quality of life.”

For the residents of Balranald and surrounding areas, this workshop addresses a reality that many rural Australians know all too well.

The Far West Local Health District serves just over 30,000 people scattered across 194,949 square kilometres, an area larger than many countries, where the nearest specialist services might require a journey of several hours.

Yet remarkably, this region has been operating a Specialist Palliative Care Service since 1989, providing care for approximately 50 per cent of people who die from chronic or life-limiting diseases each year.

The workshop, running from 3:00pm to 4:30pm and coinciding with World Hospice and Palliative Care Day and Carers Week, welcomes everyone aged 18 and over.

Whether you're a young person facing a life limiting illness, caring for ageing parents, or simply someone who believes in being prepared, the session offers practical guidance on understanding palliative care, accessing local support services, and most importantly, starting those crucial conversations with loved ones.

“You may be starting to realise your parents are getting older and need to start thinking about what supports are available for them,” the spokesperson notes.

“An advance care plan is a way to document your healthcare preferences in the event you can no longer speak for yourself.

“It's about making sure your values and wishes are respected and living as well as you can to the very end.” In rural communities where everyone knows everyone, these conversations often feel too overwhelming to begin.

The workshop can provide a gentle, supportive environment where families can learn together, ask questions without judgement, and receive practical tools to continue these important discussions at home.

The afternoon includes free tea and resource kits for all participants, ensuring families leave with concrete materials to help guide future conversations.

This is a topic that will touch every one of us at some point, yet many Australians avoid these essential discussions until crisis forces their hand.

The session requires no registration, simply turn up on the day at the Balranald Ex Servicemen’s Club at 116 Market Street. For more information, contact Palliative Care NSW on (02) 8076 5600 or visit palliativecarensw.org.au/community conversations.

In a region where distances are measured in hours rather than kilometres, this workshop brings expert knowledge right to the community’s doorstep, ensuring that when difficult times come, families are prepared, supported, and empowered to make decisions that truly reflect what matters most.