Anam Cara Colac is excited to announce the launch of a new biography writing service, made possible by a scholarship awarded to our Volunteer Coordinator, Alison Woolley.
Eastern Palliative Care (EPC) has partnered with Palliative Care Victoria (PCV) to offer a free scholarship for a “Train the Trainer – Biography Gold Level” for one member organisation of PCV.
(L-R) Alison Woolley (Volunteer Coordinator), Val Favorito (wife of Bob Favorito) and Lesley Oniell (Biography Volunteer)
The scholarship allowed Alison to complete the "Train the Trainer" program in biography writing, equipping her with the skills to lead this meaningful initiative. “The training was thorough, thoughtful and supportive, covering a wide range of scenarios and strategy to support the program,” said Alison.
With her training, Alison formed a dedicated team of volunteers to bring the project to life. This team includes interviewers, copywriters, and publishing volunteers who worked together to capture and preserve the life stories of guests of Anam Cara Colac. The first biography honoured a 98-year-old guest who recently died and is a testament to the power of this service. For him, having a volunteer there to listen and document his life brought comfort during a challenging time. The volunteer’s presence offered a familiar face, providing both him and his family with reassurance during the transition.
The biography project gives families a lasting memory of their loved ones, while also providing an emotionally rewarding experience for volunteers. The care, dedication, and creativity of our volunteer team have been instrumental in making this project a reality.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to PCV and EPC for their support and to our amazing volunteers for their passion and commitment.