Jean is widely known to Australian audiences through her work across television, radio, and literature, but she is also a powerful advocate around the importance of quality palliative care, speaking widely on this topic for over a decade. More recently, after personal experience, Jean has also offered a thoughtful voice on ageing, care, and the realities many families face when supporting loved ones later in life. Her most recent bestselling book, We Need to Talk About Mum and Dad, explores the complex and often emotional conversations around ageing, illness, care and end-of-life decisions with warmth, honesty, and insight.
As long-term Patron of Palliative Care Nurses Australia and an advocate for compassionate care and open conversations about ageing and illness, Jean brings both humanity and humour to difficult topics — helping audiences reflect on how we support one another through life’s most significant transitions.
Her presentation will offer a unique and deeply human perspective on the themes of this year’s conference, exploring how connection, honesty and empathy shape the way we care for people at the end of life..
In 2023 she was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia. (AM)
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