At 65, Pamela discovered a passion for painting. Within months, a collection of artworks filled her walls, reflecting her creativity, curiosity and joy.  

By the time Pamela was receiving palliative care at Neringah Hospital, a progressive illness had taken away much of the independence she had treasured throughout her life. Now in her early 80’s, she could no longer paint, but she loved sharing photographs of her artwork with staff and talking about the pieces she had created.

"When Pamela showed me photos of her paintings, she became radiant," recalls Dr Sarah Thompson, Medical Director at Neringah Hospital. "The artworks were magnificent, and it was clear how much they meant to her."

Pamela and her daughter Michelle shared her wish to hold a vernissage - a French tradition where an artist unveils their work to family and friends - the team knew they wanted to help make it happen.

Pamela’s love of art prompted the team to think about how her creativity could remain part of her care. Alongside managing symptoms and supporting quality of life, palliative care is also about helping people find moments of joy, connection and meaning. For Pamela, that meant being seen, heard and understood as an artist, not only as a patient.

The multidisciplinary team began to imagine Pamela’s room transformed into a collection of her art. With support from Antoine and the Dreams Program, funded by the HammondCare Foundation, they helped bring the idea to life.

Invitations were designed and sent to family and friends, while photographs of Pamela's favourite paintings were enlarged and displayed throughout her room. A treasured artwork was even reproduced on the ceiling above her bed so she could continue enjoying it as her movement became more limited.

‘We instantly saw her room become a gallery,’ says Dr Thompson.

The exhibition brought together family, friends and people from different chapters of Pamela's life. Her daughter Michelle found two of Pamela's oldest friends from primary school, and the Dreams Program arranged transport so they could visit, view her paintings and spend time with her.

Pamela’s daughter invited two of Pamela's oldest and dearest friends from primary school. The three had remained the closest of friends their entire life and the Dreams Program arranged transport so they could visit, view her paintings and spend one last precious time together.  Their visit happened to fall on Pamela's birthday, making the occasion all the more cherished.

For Pamela, the exhibition was a chance to share something deeply personal and emotionally fulfilling.  For those around her, it was an opportunity to celebrate the wonderful woman she was and the unforeseen artist she had become.

Pamela died on 2nd April this year, but the impact of that day remained. Knowing how much the exhibition had meant to her, the family displayed Pamela's paintings once again at her memorial service, held in a park close to home which she had used as her landscape inspiration. Family and friends gathered on a glorious Sunday morning to remember her life through shared stories and artworks she loved. 

It was noted, a single kookaburra (Pamela’s favourite bird) sat above her painting, watching peacefully as people passing through the park stopped to admire the display and pay their respects.