Christians Supporting Choice for
Voluntary Assisted Dying
Formerly known as Christians Supporting Choice for Voluntary Euthanasia
Dying on my own terms…
ABC Compass, available on iVIEW, has screened the story “Dying on my own terms,” which describes the moving journeys of Berwyn and Jason, as they choose to access Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD). The program is presented by Andrew Denton, who has been such a powerful voice for the legalisation of VAD within Australia. At the end of the episode, Andrew is shown advocating for the availability of telehealth services for those wishing to access VAD, by eliminating its absurd prohibition under the Commonwealth Criminal Code.
The Compass program is well worth watching.
In 1972, my wonderful older brother Brendan (now deceased) invited his 13-year-old brother to join him on a trip to York Peninsula. One of the highlights of the trip was us watching, in the Ardrossan Pub, the 1972 Grand Final between Carlton and Richmond. Carlton was victorious, in a high-scoring game, with great names like the high-flying Alex Jesaulenko starring with 7 goals. Man of the Match was awarded to Carlton centre half-forward Robert Walls, who kicked 6 goals. It much such a brilliant game, and it left me with an indelible memory of special time spent with my beloved brother.
I was reminded of this indelible memory earlier today, as I read a VAD Media Watch article.
About a year ago, AFL legend Robert Walls died at the age of 74 from acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. The wonderful folk at VAD Media Watch have just brought to our attention a recently released 4-part video series which poignantly depicts how Robert Walls chose to end his life on his own terms, through accessing Victoria’s VAD. The four episodes are each about ten minutes in duration.
During the videos, again and again, Robert Walls’s family members and friends highlight his courage and thoughtfulness during the final journey he undertook. He was considerate and caring to those who would grieve his loss. And he sought out old friends and, together, they managed to heal old wounds before the end.
The then Victorian Minister for Health, Jill Hennessy is interviewed in the last video, and emphasizes how significant Walls decision to share this journey has been:
“Robert Walls’s death and his use of voluntary assisted dying will have led to conversations around dinner tables, in palliative care units, in football clubs, in all sorts of places where people are not talking about death, and what some of the options might be. He has given us an incredibly generous gift, by allowing us, and encouraging us, and motivating us to talk about the end of life, and how we can manage terminal illnesses, exercising some choice, and control and dignity.”
Clearly, Robert Walls has left his family and friends with many indelible memories.
So too he has left, through his courageous exercise of choice, an enduring and inspiring legacy to so many more.
I commend the videos to your viewing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LU0FaRzciQ
A Time to Die: Part 1 He did it for us
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lG6GGv–zA
A Time to Die: Part 2 Poison ivy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fB-utyYhnTk
A Time to Die: Part 3 Feuds and forgiveness
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZBYw9w_9es
A Time to Die: Part 4 An enduring legacy
Congratulations to you both! Wonderful recognition for the incredible work that you both do. We are very proud and grateful to have these 2 amazing people working in our State for a compassionate end of life choice. 💙
Congratulations Dr Chloe Furst and Annaliese Holland, winners in the 2026 Advertiser Sunday Mail SkyCity Woman of the Year Award. Both women are fierce advocates for voluntary assisted dying in their home state of South Australia – one as a doctor, the other as a patient. Thank you for all you do. 🙏
⭐Dr Chloe Furst – People’s Choice Winner. Geriatric and Palliative Medicine Consultant; voluntary assisted dying (VAD) practitioner.
⭐Annaliese Holland – Inspiration of the Year. Advocate for better Palliative Care, approved for VAD.
Click here to see on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18fZvTT2o9/
Click to see on Go Gentle Australia.
Listen to this wonderful episode of Voices from Voluntary Assisted Dying Episode 16 to hear Dr Arnold speaking with Dr Laureen Lawlor-Smith on this issue by clicking on the link https://omny.fm/shows/voices-from-voluntary-assisted-dying/dr-arnolds-opposition-to-acceptance-of-vad-a-personal-journey
Dr Lynn Arnold once stood firmly against voluntary assisted dying (VAD). Initially concerned about the potential for abuse, his perspective changed after witnessing the prolonged suffering of his cousin and, later, supporting his mother through her own VAD journey. Her decision, carried out with dignity and care, revealed to him the system’s safeguards and the emotional depth of choosing death on one’s own terms.
The Honourable Reverend Dr Lynne Arnold is a former state parliamentarian and premier of South Australia. He has held leadership roles with World Vision and Anglicare SA. Today he serves as an assistant priest at St Peter’s Anglican Cathedral, a theology lecturer at St Barnabas Theological College, and a patron or ambassador for numerous organisations including the Don Dunstan Foundation, Reconciliation SA, and the United Nations Association of Australia.
He speaks candidly about the internal conflict, the healing power of compassionate medical care, and the importance of support for both the person choosing VAD and their loved ones. He also discusses how his theological views evolved, emphasising the Anglican Church’s openness to individual conscience on the matter.
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Dear Members and Friends,
The Victorian VAD legislation has now been
operating for five years, and the report which came
out made several suggestions for improvement
which have been well received and are likely to be
legislated.
The Australian Capital Territory passed their
legislation in August, and it will be available from 3
November, this year. The Chief Minister of the
Northern Territory has stated that VAD “is not a
priority”, despite an independent advisory panel
finding that 71% of the NT community are in favour.
A recently elected Independent MP, Justine Davis is
hoping to introduce a Private Member’s Bill. I have
made her aware of our website and the Christian
support for VAD.
My letter to the Northern Territory News was
published on 26 September.
The Australian Medical Association (AMA) has
published its Position Statement on VAD 2025. The
introduction very encouragingly states: “Doctors
have an ethical duty to provide their patients with
quality end-of-life care that strives to alleviate pain
and suffering, supports an individual’s values and
preferences for care, and allows them to achieve
the best quality of life possible. This position
statement serves to support doctors and patients
who choose to participate, and those who choose
not to participate, in Voluntary Assisted Dying
services, where legally available in Australia.” Go
to their website: www.ama.com.au if you want to
read more.
Telehealth consultations continue to be illegal.
Contact your incoming Federal MPs and ask them
to push for a change to restrictions on Telehealth for
VAD which continue to disadvantage people in
remote rural areas and those unable to travel to
appointments. The AMA has also asked the
Government to act on this issue. Lack of Medicare
benefits for VAD also disadvantages poorer
patients, but this is at last starting to be addressed.
Go Gentle Australia has recently released a paper
about the burning issue of Dementia and VAD that it
commissioned Dr Kylie Ladd to research. GGA
Dementia Paper. Go to their website
www.gogentleaustralia.org.au if the above link
doesn’t work.
Awareness – Doctors in Victoria and South Australia
are still not allowed to mention VAD to patients, but
a recent survey in Queensland has shown that many
people are not aware that VAD is now a legal option.
In conjunction with U3A Southern Highlands, DWD
NSW and a local Death Doula, I was pleased to give
a short talk about our group. The vital importance of
preparing an Advance Care Directive (ACD) and
nominating an Enduring Guardian was also
mentioned. Maybe you are involved in a group
which could host a guest speaker from the DWD
organisation in your state.
Go Gentle Australia organised a conference of all
the DWD Organisations in Australia and New
Zealand (VADANZ) in Brisbane late October, which
was well attended.
The President of DWD Victoria, Jane Morris
announced at that conference that DWDV
awarded me the Rodney Syme Medal for 2024.
This Medal recognises distinguished effort in
pursuit of the Dying with Dignity cause. I was very
honoured to receive this award which recognises our
group’s significant input to the VAD campaign.
We continue to regularly receive requests for
information via our website.
Overseas.
The Isle of Man was the first jurisdiction in the UK to
pass an Assisted Dying Bill in late March, and it has
been forwarded for Royal Assent. There was an
historic win in the House of Commons at the Second
Reading of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill
in November 2024. Their Committee stage has just
completed, during which they studied the Australian
and New Zealand VAD models. It is now due to go
back to the Commons for debate. There has been
the predictable opposition by religious groups.
Debate is continuing in Scotland and Jersey.
MAiD (Medical Assistance in Dying) in Canada
continues to provide a painfree and peaceful
compassionate end of life choice and Quebec has
recently allowed access to MAiD by people suffering
from Dementia via an Advance Request. This is
creating controversy, but highlights this vitally
important unresolved issue.
Countries currently allowing Assisted Dying:
Australia (excluding the Northern Territory), Austria,
Belgium, Canada, Germany, Luxembourg, Portugal,
Spain, Switzerland, The Netherlands, USA
(California, Colorado, the District of Columbia,
Hawaii, Maine, New Jersey, New Mexico, New Zealand, Oregon,
Vermont, and Washington. Montana’s Court has
ruled that Assisted Dying is permissable, but the
State has not legislated for it.
The constitutional courts of Colombia, Ecuador and
Italy have legalised Assisted Dying, but their
governments have not yet legislated or regulated
the practice.
Donations: Donations are gratefully received and
can still be made by direct deposit to Christians for
VE – BSB: 105003 A/C: 119890940.
Sadly, many Church hierarchies continue to be vocal
in their opposition. Because of this continued
opposition and the need to have the laws passed in
the Northern Territory, it is hoped that you will
continue to be a member of our group. Please
contact me if you have any questions.
Best wishes, Continue reading
Jane Morris, President of Dying With Dignity Victoria, when announcing Ian’s award at the dinner of the Trans-Tasman Voluntary Assisted Dying Conference on Monday 28 October, 2024, stated :“There would be very few people who have not heard of Dr. Rodney Syme. Rodney spent the latter part of his life selflessly and totally committed to ensuring the successful passage of VAD legislation in Victoria. Since 2007, DWDV has awarded The Rodney Syme Medal in recognition of the outstanding and distinguished effort by an individual/s in pursuit of the Dying with Dignity cause. Dying With Dignity Victoria is delighted to award the 2024 Rodney Syme Medal to Ian Wood, Co-Founder of Christians Supporting Choice for Voluntary Assisted Dying.
For the past 20 years, Ian has worked tirelessly, advocating for Voluntary Assisted Dying as an additional, compassionate end-of-life choice from the aspect of Christian support.
Congratulations Ian, and wholehearted thanks from all of us at Dying With Dignity Victoria for your invaluable efforts.”
After being presented with the Rodney Syme Medal by Michelle Hindson Board Member of Dying With Dignity Victoria, Ian responded:
“I’m delighted to accept this, and I do sincerely thank Jane Morris and DWD Victoria for presenting me with this Rodney Syme Award. Rodney was actually the person who I considered as one of the dozens and perhaps hundreds of people who have both mentored me and motivated me in my efforts to counter the mainly religious lobby who sought to impose their outdated views on all Australians.
I have really thought that Voluntary Assisted Dying should be a basic human right. We are Christians who believe that, as a demonstration of love and compassion, those who are terminally or hopelessly ill should have the option of a pain free, peaceful and dignified death with Voluntary Assisted Dying.
Thank you to Frances Coombe, President of VADSA, who back in 2008 spoke to me and my colleague, Reverend Trevor Bensch and suggested that we co-found our group; and I would also like to thank Reverend Dr Craig de Vos for his continued support of our Continue reading
All smiles as Tara Cheyne’s Progressive Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill passes in the ACT.
The Legislative Assembly voted overwhelmingly to support the law 20 votes to 5 votes, 80%, which is remarkably close to the level of community support for VAD in Australia.
What a historical moment today and the culmination of a decades-long fight for compassionate end of life choice. The content of the ACT bill gives the other states something to aim for in future reviews of their legislation. Only the Northern Territory to go. It is rather ironic that the Northern Territory were the first to pass VAD legislation with their Rights of the Terminally Ill bill way back in 1995. This bill was overturned by the Howard Government soon after.
Continue reading
Christians Supporting Choice for Voluntary Assisted Dying
Annual Newsletter and update April 2024
Dear Member/Supporter,
15 Years! It hardly seems possible that it is now 15 years since our group was formed, and I am delighted that all States in Australia have debated and passed Voluntary Assisted Dying laws enabling the choice of a compassionate end of life for those nearing death. Time and again I find it so rewarding to read reports of the peace of mind that getting the green light to access VAD gives people, and family often describe the passing of their loved one as peaceful and beautiful.
The Victorian VAD legislation has now been operating for five years. We are hopeful that the Australian Capital Territory will pass their legislation later this year. The Northern Territory has had a consultation process and may debate a bill after their next election. It is disappointing the NT had the first assisted dying legislation in the world with their Rights For The Terminally Ill Bill until it was overturned by the Howard Liberal government a year later.
Many of us have witnessed a loved one die with Dementia and would not want to go down that path themselves. Accessing VAD is not possible because mental capacity is required through the whole process of being assessed for VAD. One of the few other options available is to refuse administration of food and fluid using an Advanced Care Directive. This is an issue which can hopefully be addressed in the future.
Dr Rodney Syme discusses this situation in his book “A Completed Life” and it is available online from
https://www.dwdv.org.au/store/
How you can prepare:
1. Be informed of eligibility criteria in your state by checking out your local Dying with Dignity website or by contacting the Navigator Service in your state.
2. Be prepared : Have an up to date Advance Care Directive (ACD) which you have discussed with family, a valid will, Enduring Power Of Attorney and Enduring Guardianship in place.
3. Ask our own doctor if any doctor in the practice has done, or will do the VAD training course.
4. Contact your Federal MP and ask them to push for a change to restrictions on Telehealth for VAD which continue to disadvantage people in rural areas and those unable to travel to appointments. Lack of Medicare benefits for VAD also disadvantages poorer patients.
5. Consider attending a Death Cafe where the aspects of dying can be openly discussed, often with input from a Death Doula.
Overseas. Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland and the Netherlands, Canada, Portugal, Spain and NZ all have active VAD laws. VAD is currently legal in ten USA states plus the District of Columbia, and another 16 states are considering a bill.
An Irish parliament committee inquiry has heard from witnesses, both for and against a bill, including VAD experts from Australia.
Progress is being made in Iceland, New Jersey, Isle of Man, Scotland and France. While in UK 74% of the population are in favour of VAD but the parliament is lagging behind!
Sadly many Church hierarchies continue to be vocal in their opposition. Because of this continued opposition and the need to have the laws passed in the territories, it is hoped that you will continue to be a member of our group. Please contact me if you have any questions.
Best wishes, Continue reading
This book presents Dr Syme’s views on the plight of people with dementia, and his suggestion for further legislative change. The book’s title reflects a life that has been long, and where all that was possible has been achieved – and so is in a sense ‘complete’. There follows consideration of the problems that may follow, and what may be a reasonable response.
I was privileged to be one of the people asked to review this book prior to publication and I can thoroughly recommend it.
You can order your copy from https://www.dwdv.org.au/store/a-completed-life-paperback/
Ian Wood
Bowral, Continue reading