2026 NPCW Sector Breakfast - Perth, Bunbury, Albany and Karratha

You are invited to join us for breakfast in Perth, Bunbury, Albany or Karratha to catch up with colleagues during National Palliative Care Week 2026 and hear from Christopher Hall, CEO of Grief Australia, and panelists Shelly Skinner, Founder and CEO of Lionheart Camp for Kids, Sharon Wood-Kenney, systems change architect and innovation entrepreneur, and Alison, a retired educator and mother of four who has lived experience of palliative care with her late husband.

We are pleased to once again provide our signature PCWA Sector Breakfast at four locations simultaneously - Fraser's Kings Park – State Reception Centre, Dolphin Discovery Centre Bunbury, Albany Golf Club Albany, and Karratha International Hotel.

For the past 29 years Chris Hall has held the position of Director and Chief Executive Officer of Grief Australia. He is a psychologist specialising in grief and bereavement. Chris was elected President of the Association for Death Education and Counselling in 2015. In 2007, he was elected to the Board of Directors of the International Work Group on Dying, Death and Bereavement and served as chair from 2010-2013 and as the Secretary/Treasurer since 2010. The Association for Death Education and Counselling in 2018 awarded him the ADEC Service Award for his commitment to the field and advancing the study of dying, death and bereavement.

Chris is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, a Fellow of the International Work Group on Death, Dying and Bereavement, an Honorary Fellow of the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Melbourne and an Industry Fellow of the Faculty of Education at Monash University. He is the Editor of the journal Grief Matters: The Australian Journal of Grief and Bereavement and is a former Associate Editor of Death Studies.

Since 2010, Chris has been a member of the Coronial Council of Victoria. In the 2024 King’s Birthday Honours he was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to psychology, particularly to grief and bereavement.

Our panelists include:

Shelly Skinner is the Founder and CEO of Lionheart Camp for Kids, supporting children, teens, families and schools to navigate grief with care, courage and connection. Informed by her work as a social worker—and her own experience of losing her mother at a young age—Shelly is dedicated to helping communities understand grief as a healthy, normal response to loss and life’s challenges. Known for her vision, leadership and service, Shelly has been recognised with the John Curtin Medal (2020), a Westfield Local Hero Award (2021), and the Palliative Care WA Award for Outstanding Palliative Care Professional (2025). She has co-authored articles exploring children’s experiences of grief and is the author of the children’s book Finding Fwebbers. Shelly believes that when young people are supported to explore, integrate and grow through grief in childhood, those challenges can shape purpose, connection and meaning in adulthood—building a society of emotionally literate, psychologically robust communicators.

Sharon Wood-Kenney is a systems change architect and innovation entrepreneur committed to leaving behind a positive footprint in every space she enters. She challenges leaders to think deeply about the legacy they are building and the systems they are shaping for future generations. As the designer of the elite 'Perception Is OUR Truth' emotional intelligence training and education framework, Sharon equips organisations and individuals with the tools to lead with awareness, courage and cultural intelligence. A proud Noongar Yamatji and multicultural Yorga, Sharon weaves identity, innovation and impact into all her work. Through the House 3D Djinda project, she integrates AI, robotics and design to explore new frontiers where culture and technology meet.

Alison is a retired educator and mother of four who brings the courageous voice of lived experience to this panel. She cared for her husband, Bob, throughout his cancer journey — an experience that included significant challenges and shortcomings in palliative care support. Alison speaks candidly about the emotional, practical and systemic difficulties her family faced and the lasting impact this has had on their grief journey. Her perspective is grounded in honesty and a deep commitment to improving care for others, offering valuable insight into how services can better support patients and families at their most vulnerable time.

Ticketing information

Ticket prices this year will again vary by location due to the differing venue costs in the city and the regions. Also, the prices take into consideration the difference between being in-room with the live speaker and MC compared to being at a satellite event.

If you are purchasing tickets on behalf of others please make sure to supply the name and email address for each attendee during the registration process. This will ensure everyone receives relevant emails in the lead up to the event.

Tables in Perth will seat 10 people, tables in Bunbury, Albany and Karratha will seat 8 people. If you would like to book one or more tables on behalf of your organisation at either the Perth, Bunbury, Albany or Karratha event, please contact us directly on info@palliativecarewa.asn.au.

Perth breakfast

• $55 for Individual Members of PCWA

• $65 for non-members

• $625 for a table of 10 (Please email info@palliativecarewa.asn.auto arrange a whole table)

Bunbury, Albany and Karratha breakfast

• $45 for all attendees

• $360 for a table of 8 (Please email info@palliativecarewa.asn.auto arrange a whole table)

Please take care to book at the location of your choice.

Please note:

If you are feeling unwell or have developed any cold or flu-like symptoms please do not attend the event.

Photographs will be taken during the breakfast and will be used for promotional purposes. Please let the photographer know if you do NOT want your photo to be used.

Further information

www.palliativecarewa.asn.au

info@palliativecarewa.asn.au

1300 551 704

Sponsors and supporters

We would like to thank the following sponsors and supporters for helping make this event possible.