Go Gentle Australia
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gogentleaus.bsky.social
Go Gentle Australia
@gogentleaus.bsky.social
We empower people to choose the end-of-life care that is right for them, including the option of voluntary assisted dying.
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GET YOUR COPY TODAY 📚
Julian Kingma is one of Aust's best photographers. With forewords by Andrew Denton & Richard Flanagan, The Power of Choice focuses on the people who choose voluntary assisted dying and captures their stories of hope, struggle, courage & acceptance.
Order here👇
ow.ly/9ko850Vx6jq
Paramedics union president Brett Simpson did not mince words when asked about a NSW bill that would force people out of their aged care homes to seek VAD.

"Terminally ill patients are some of the most vulnerable. The thought of having to load them into ambulances and move them around is shameful."
November 11, 2025 at 6:38 AM
Nurses' union rep Katrina Bough has condemned a NSW bill that seeks to deny people in aged care the right to access VAD.

Susan Carter MLC's bill would force dying people seeking the VAD choice to transfer to another facility.

"It's simply another form of abuse," Bough said.
November 11, 2025 at 6:30 AM
17 organisations representing doctors, nurses, paramedics, lawyers and seniors’ rights groups have signed a statement opposing a NSW Bill that seeks to restrict access to voluntary assisted dying (VAD) in aged care.
ow.ly/LZAm50XobnZ
Opposition to 'cruel' NSW VAD bill grows
Seventeen of the state's most influential medical, legal and seniors’ rights groups have signed a statement condemning a bill that seeks to restrict access to voluntary assisted dying (VAD) in aged ca...
ow.ly
November 7, 2025 at 5:23 AM
Jill Nash, 86, puts NSW Upper House on notice "Any politician who votes for this cruel bill is sending a clear message to the electorate that they care more about the religious freedom of powerful institutions than the rights and well-being of vulnerable residents in their care."👇
ow.ly/YcxI50XmRct
I’m 86 – this bill to restrict voluntary assisted dying is cruel and callous
Susan Carter’s bill to allow NSW aged care providers to restrict or deny access to voluntary assisted dying is discrimination at its very worst.
ow.ly
November 5, 2025 at 9:20 PM
From today, eligible dying people in the ACT can ask for help to end their life.

Dr Linda Swan, Go Gentle's CEO, said:
"Knowing this choice is available alongside other end-of-life care options will bring relief, comfort and reassurance to dying people and their families."
More: ow.ly/QkjF50Xk6hJ
November 3, 2025 at 9:38 AM
The Victorian govt’s Bill to make the Voluntary Assisted Dying Act fairer and more in-line with other states has passed the Lower House unamended 67 votes to 13.

The Bill now moves to the Upper House.

Congratulations to all involved for a respectful and courteous debate 🙌👏
November 3, 2025 at 9:32 AM
Sharyn fondly describes her husband Brett as a 'bogan' with a passion for fast cars, motorbikes and footy. But beyond the adrenaline, Brett was a quiet hero.

“His attitude was: you’re going to die - let’s get something good out of this.”
www.gogentleaustralia.org.au/a_quiet_hero
Brett Harrison's legacy of love and generosity
Brett, from Ballarat, became only the second person in the country to donate organs after voluntary assisted dying (VAD), a final act of generosity at age 57.
www.gogentleaustralia.org.au
June 26, 2025 at 3:01 AM
Research shows people applying for Assisted Dying express gratitude for:
💜Avoiding suffering & the uncertainty of a painful death
💜Retaining agency in how & when they die
💜A sense of peace, relief & comfort in choosing VAD
💜Compassionate caregivers👇
www.gogentleaustralia.org.au/the_poetry_o...
The poetry of gratitude in VAD
Our vision is an Australia where we all have choice at the end of life. We empower people to choose the care that is right for them, including the option of voluntary assisted dying.
www.gogentleaustralia.org.au
June 24, 2025 at 10:25 AM
*BREAKING* The UK Voluntary Assisted Dying bill has passed its 3rd reading in the House of Commons 314 to 291. Congratulations to everyone in the UK who fought so hard and for so long to see this reform become reality. Compassion and common sense have prevailed. Well done 🎉🥂💪💥
June 20, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Today's vote on the UK's voluntary assisted dying bill will be one of the most consequential votes for social change in a generation.

www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Assisted dying: supporters and opponents of bill on hopes and fears ahead of crucial vote
Two cancer patients want choice to decide when to die but man re-diagnosed with non-terminal condition urges caution
www.theguardian.com
June 20, 2025 at 6:04 AM
Did you see The Power of Choice on The Project? A beautiful exploration of the importance of talking about death and dying and how voluntary assisted dying can be a gift for all involved.

10play.com.au/theproject/n...
Aussie Man's Incredible Assisted Dying Journey After Cancer Diagnosis
After Nigel was diagnosed with aggressive skin cancer and given just 12 months to live, he and his partner, Kath, began exploring options for Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD). Nigel was ultimately appro...
10play.com.au
June 16, 2025 at 9:17 AM
Reposted by Go Gentle Australia
And op-ed writer for The New York Times, Ross Douthat, is today railing against the New York legislature that has finally, after years of advocacy, sent the bill to the governor for signature. His angle? Slippery slope. And, he calls it euthanasia.
The 600+ comments on that piece are derisory.
June 15, 2025 at 10:25 AM
Objecting to voluntary assisted dying is one thing. But carelessly – or worse, knowingly – telling lies and spreading misinformation is not OK.

This grieving NSW family deserved better.

www.gogentleaustralia.org.au/how_anti_vad...
How anti-VAD warriors manipulated a tender story of compassion for political gain
Sometimes those opposed to end-of-life choice will stop at nothing, including gaslighting a grieving family, to try and score a political point.
www.gogentleaustralia.org.au
June 15, 2025 at 10:06 AM
Brett Harrison was one of the first to donate his organs after voluntary assisted dying.
Brett, 57, had MND. His gift helped 3 recipients.
His wife, Sharyn, said Brett was a "big-hearted person who loved to help others", so it was no surprise he made one last generous gesture.👇
ow.ly/QPjR50W87hE
'He wasn't going to get any better, but he could help other people'
Ballarat man donates organs after voluntary assisted dying.
ow.ly
June 15, 2025 at 7:14 AM
Reposted by Go Gentle Australia
"It's not about imposing assisted dying on someone; it's about giving them the autonomy to choose it." www.northwaleschronicle.co.uk/news/2522307...
Liz Saville Roberts MP ‘strongly’ backs assisted dying. We asked her why
Dwyfor Meirionnydd MP Liz Saville Roberts has explained why she supports a bill to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales.
www.northwaleschronicle.co.uk
June 15, 2025 at 7:01 AM
The Northern Territory government says the suffering of terminally ill Territorians "is not a priority". They are wrong. Will you help us pass a NT Voluntary Assisted Dying law? 💪

www.gogentleaustralia.org.au/write_this_l...
Write this law and right this wrong
Why, in 2025, are people in the Northern Territory denied the same end-of-life choices as other Australians? No more delays, help us get a Voluntary Assisted Dying law in the NT.
www.gogentleaustralia.org.au
June 4, 2025 at 11:43 AM
Steve from Darwin is dying. He expects his final days to be agonising. In every other state he would be eligible for Voluntary Assisted Dying. But the Northern Territory is dithering on VAD laws.
"I just want the choice to go in my own time, without the pain. No mess, no fuss."👇
ow.ly/78Rc50VYzvA
With weeks to live, Steve hopes the NT legalises VAD in time for others
Thirty years ago, the Northern Territory became Australia's first jurisdiction to legislate voluntary assisted dying. Today it is the only one where the practice has not been legalised, and the landsc...
ow.ly
May 30, 2025 at 6:55 AM
The French have said a big 'oui' to assisted dying, approving President Macron's bill 305 votes to 199. 💪
The bill has no time frames but eligible people must have an advanced, terminal illness. It will now go to the Senate, before a second reading in the National Assembly.
ow.ly/n6UF50VZKsS
France's National Assembly adopts long-debated bill legalizing end-of-life options
France’s lower house of parliament has adopted a bill to allow adults with incurable illness to take lethal medication.
ow.ly
May 30, 2025 at 6:46 AM
A beautiful exploration of the importance of talking about death and dying and how it can be a gift for all involved.

10play.com.au/theproject/n...
Aussie Man's Incredible Assisted Dying Journey After Cancer Diagnosis
After Nigel was diagnosed with aggressive skin cancer and given just 12 months to live, he and his partner, Kath, began exploring options for Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD). Nigel was ultimately appro...
10play.com.au
May 29, 2025 at 10:02 AM
"We are all eventually going to die. But the people in this book have shown me there is a way to go gently."
Another incredible conversation about Voluntary Assisted Dying @sydwritersfest with Julian Kingma, Andrew Denton & Ash Hay🙏. Get your copy 👇
www.gogentleaustralia.org.au/powerofchoice
May 24, 2025 at 2:41 AM
In Melbourne? Get along to SOL Gallery in Fitzroy on Wednesday 21 May from 6pm for the opening night of The Power of Choice exhibition. Meet Julian Kingma and the Go Gentle team and help us celebrate 🥂
May 18, 2025 at 1:37 AM
Former ABC correspondent Iain Finlay opted for Voluntary Assisted Dying at his home in northern NSW. His family was by his side.

Diagnosed with terminal amyloidosis, which causes difficulties breathing, he was relieved to end his suffering at a time of his choosing surrounded by those he loved.
Hours before dying, ABC legend Finlay embraced last 'great adventure'
After a long career as an accomplished TV and radio journalist for programs like AM, This Day Tonight and Beyond 2000, Iain Finlay chooses to end life on his own terms with his family by his side.
www.abc.net.au
May 9, 2025 at 5:29 AM
GET YOUR COPY TODAY 📚
Julian Kingma is one of Aust's best photographers. With forewords by Andrew Denton & Richard Flanagan, The Power of Choice focuses on the people who choose voluntary assisted dying and captures their stories of hope, struggle, courage & acceptance.
Order here👇
ow.ly/9ko850Vx6jq
May 9, 2025 at 3:38 AM
Sue is healthy but adamant that if diagnosed with dementia, she "would rather go quickly".
She's included a request for assisted dying in her advance directive, even though this is not legal. VAD for dementia is ethically & legally challenging, & available in very few countries.
ow.ly/RzFo50VraTE
Assisted dying rules exclude people with dementia. Will it change?
Sue Starr has requested access to Voluntary Assisted Dying should she one day be diagnosed with dementia. But fulfilling that request would currently be illegal.
ow.ly
April 3, 2025 at 7:26 AM
The Australian Medical Association's new position statement on Voluntary Assisted Dying is a welcome change that will transform care for dying people.

"The first update in 10 years provides clarity about VAD's role in end-of-life conversations."
👇
www.gogentleaustralia.org.au/go_gentle_we...
Go Gentle welcomes 'significant' doctor statement on assisted dying
The Australian Medical Association (AMA)'s new statement on Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) is a significant change that will transform care for dying people.
www.gogentleaustralia.org.au
April 3, 2025 at 7:21 AM