Very Special Kids’ physiotherapist Belinda Luther has received a 2020 Churchill Fellowship to further explore physiotherapy in a children’s hospice by visiting the UK and Ireland next year.There are only 112 recipients nationally and, when travel restrictions change, Beli... Read More

Since the introduction of Stage 4 restrictions across metropolitan Melbourne, and also the regional Mitchell Shire, we had to review the way we delivered our services.As an essential service, we did not close the hospice, apart from a short closure in March, but we have only... Read More

There are many words to describe Maryjo Saliba – strong, resilient, courageous, positive, ambitious.‘Bereaved sibling’ are two more words that also sadly describe Maryjo.She is part of a unique group of young people who have experienced the death of a sibling and ar... Read More

Thank you to everyone who donated and shared our message over the last 24 hours to make our first Giving Day a huge success! Together, we have raised an incredible $412,000 to help us continue providing essential family support and paediatric palliative care serv... Read More

Mandy Lobley remembers fundraising to fill pink pigs at school, but little did she know the fond memories she had of ‘the pig charity’ would later become such a big part of her life.In conjunction with her role as carer in the hospice Mandy is studying genetic counselli... Read More

When Jasmine was a new mother, she had gotten used to having little support due relocating as part of her partner’s career in the military.But when her second-born, Alicia, was diagnosed with a rare terminal illness, she knew she couldn’t continue without more support. ... Read More

Pictured: Daniel and his son Marcus, who died in 2013.If there’s a piece of advice Daniel would pass onto all dads this Father’s Day, it’s to be present and to spend as much time with your kids as you can.“You can always get more money, but you can’t get more ti... Read More

By Pauline Hammond, Grampians Region Family Support PractitionerFor those of us working in paediatric palliative care, the statement “You must be a special type of person to do the work you do”, is praise that we’ve all received, somewhat awkwardly, at ... Read More

Dying To Know Day (8 August) is an annual day of action dedicated to activating conversations and community actions around death, dying and bereavement.Very Special Kids is using this day as an opportunity to open up the discussion of how we, as a society of many cultures, fa... Read More

By Shari Manley, Child Life TherapistDuring times of isolation when we are physically distant from family and friends there is nothing more comforting than a smile and warm welcome from a familiar face. Pip and Shari know first-hand the positive impact of seeing a friend and ... Read More