More than just an expo, the inaugural Good Life, Good Death Expo in Mackay has been hailed as a significant step forward in building awareness around death literacy and meaningful conversations about end-of-life care.
Held at the Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre recently, the event brought together community members, carers, health professionals, service providers, and volunteers for a day of learning, connection, and compassionate conversations about topics often considered difficult to discuss.
Delivered by Palliative Care Queensland (PCQ) in partnership with Northern Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN), the free event provided the public with access to practical information about palliative care, advance care planning, grief and bereavement support, legal planning, and local services available across the Mackay region.
The event featured an engaging mix of exhibitor displays, guest speakers, community workshops, and a dedicated professional education stream.
Participants heard from local and statewide experts on topics including advance care planning, symptom management, paediatric palliative care, voluntary assisted dying, and supporting people through serious illness and loss.
Feedback from attendees and exhibitors highlighted the welcoming atmosphere, quality of presentations and the opportunity to connect with others who share a commitment to supporting people living with life-limiting illness.
Organisers noted that the diversity of exhibitors and the strong interaction between services created valuable opportunities for collaboration and relationship building.
The event began with a Welcome and Smoking Ceremony, setting an inclusive and respectful tone for the day.
Throughout the expo, participants explored local services and learned about practical ways to support individuals and families experiencing serious illness, death and bereavement.
A dedicated health professional education stream attracted strong interest from clinicians and healthcare workers across the region.
Participants valued the practical, case-based presentations and the opportunity to learn from palliative care experts working in regional and remote settings.
The expo also included a community yarning circle and a grief codesign workshop, both of which generated meaningful discussion and valuable insights that will help inform future community resources and support initiatives.
The NQPHN Greater Choice for At Home Palliative Care (GCfAHPC) project team said: “Too often these conversations happen in crisis. Events like the Good Life, Good Death Expo help communities build confidence, increase understanding of available supports, and encourage people to plan ahead while they are well. Most importantly, they help normalise conversations that touch every one of us.”
The professional education sessions, grief workshop, exhibitor networking opportunities and community discussions were all identified as standout successes.
The success of the Mackay event builds on previous Good Life, Good Death initiatives across northern Queensland and reinforces a growing commitment to improving palliative care awareness, advance care planning and community support for individuals and families navigating serious illness, death and bereavement.
With strong support from participants and stakeholders, organisers are confident that the Good Life, Good Death Expo will continue to play an important role in creating compassionate communities where conversations about living well, dying well, and supporting one another are encouraged.