Hundreds of volunteers have worked thousands of hours to keep hospice shops open because they believe the facilities a hospice can provide should be available in the Highlands. Some volunteers would have had first hand experience of a family member or friend travelling to Berry or Sydney to receive hospice care. They are entitled to their opinion as Garry Barnsley is entitled to his. Palliative care in the home is a great service but not always ideal. People with a terminal illness should have more than one option as to where they can have their pain management or die in peaceful surroundings.

There is evidence the many changes of planned locations and other issues have had a detrimental effect on both morale and fundraising. Once the DA is approved for the location in Bowral Street, this very visible and convenient location is sure to generate a new vitality and wider support.

I agree with Garry Barnsley’s comments. From what I understood, the hospice was to be built and fitted out on land behind St Judes Church by a benefactor, who intended to lease the complex to hospice and at the end of the two years, if it were found the hospice was managing financially, the benefactor would gift the complex to hospice. This arrangement fell apart and the hospice [committee] decided to proceed on its own behalf. Up to this time I had believed in the concept and donated heavily - amounting to 28.17 per cent of current cash and assets.

Since the breakup with the benefactor I looked more closely at the viability of hospice. Without going into great detail, the most simple shortcoming is that current nett profit is not enough to pay staff, let alone find money to build and maintain a complex.

I note in the article that if the hospice does not proceed, as stated in the constitution, the hospice [committee] will decide which similar charity will receive funds in hand. I believe the right to decide where funds go should be referred to people who made donations and, as the whole concept has changed so radically, that all donations should be refunded to the donors so they can decide where the money should go.