Critical to the success of the Bereavement Care Centre is the active participation and commitment of volunteers - here are the stories of some of our most valuable team members, in their own words.

Ann Mulheron
I was originally a nurse, later trained as a psychologist and have specialised in bereavement counselling since 1986 when I completed Post Graduate training with Di and Mal McKissock. I also completed an intensive 2 year course in clinical Supervision at the Bereavement C.A.R.E. Centre, and have continued to divide my working week between the BCC and my private practice. Another professional interest is working at The Institute of counselling as a counselling skills teacher, trainer and group facilitator.

I have been involved with the NCCG from its beginning in early 1994. My role has primarily been with bereaved families and I facilitate the support groups for bereaved partners (parents of children in support groups) currently held on Wednesday evenings. In all of my roles I have found my nursing training and experience invaluable. That background helps me to understand many aspects of the process of terminal illness that create pain and distress for grieving families, and to interpret medical and coronial reports when necessary.

My husband and soul mate Richard and I have experienced the richness of family life with our two children, an adopted son called David and a foster daughter named Suz-ann. David was born with Progeria and died when he was nine years old. Suz-ann was born with an intellectual disability and is now a delightful 21 year old, living in a protected, semi independent environment close to our home.

Richard and I both love out door holidays involving camping or house boats, and often return from these adventures with stories of getting lost on waterways, or tents being flooded with torrential rain. We love spending time with our large extended family, with friends, and enjoy reading, playing cards and competing at Scrabble.

Vera Russell I have been a social worker for many years and have a special interest in working with bereaved and dying people, which I guess explains my two current work places. I have been a member of the counselling team at the Bereavement C.A.R.E. Centre for a number of years now, counselling bereaved and dying adults, and more recently have also been employed part time as a social worker in a palliative care hospital. Another part of my work that I love is teaching other people how to provide care for dying and bereaved people. As the mother of four, I have gained lots of experience caring for children and young people, and recently joined the team at the NCCGas an intern, working in the bereavement support groups, and with individual children. My other loves are my family and friends, and my spare time interests are taking my two dogs for walks, or perhaps them taking me, reading, movies, yoga, and having fun with friends.