It is the end of an era as we acknowledge the retirement of Molly Carlile AM from nursing and the palliative care sector. As we say a heartfelt farewell, Palliative Care Australia thanks Molly for a career defined by service, leadership, and a deep commitment to improving the experience of people who are dying, and those who care for them.

Since entering nursing in 1982, Molly has worked across diverse roles and organisations, consistently bringing clarity, compassion and a focus on quality and equity in care. Her influence has been felt at the bedside, in service design, and in the settings where systems, policy and services are shaped.

Beyond her hands-on work, Molly has contributed at the highest levels of strategic and ethical decision-making, sitting on key boards and committees that have helped guide the direction of palliative care policy and service development, Voluntary Assisted Dying frameworks, and broader health governance and advocacy. Her long-standing involvement with many palliative care services has made her a valued and respected member of a community that has benefitted immensely from her wisdom and perspective.

Her impact is not confined to palliative care alone. Molly’s voice, expertise, and guidance have played a vital role across broader health care in Victoria. She has been a regular conference presenter, had three books published and co-authored and toured two plays on dying and grief, in order to raise community awareness and interest in palliative care and inspire conversations in families and communities.

Her influence extends into cancer wellness and supportive care. As the inaugural General Manager of Integrated Cancer Services at the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness & Research Centre, she helped shape an integrated model that brings together treatment, research and holistic supports, including the arts.

Molly’s contribution has been recognised through state, national and international honours, including her appointment as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM).

More recently, Molly guided and led the PEPA | IPEPA Victoria team for three-and-a-half years, helping the team grow, expand its reach across the state, and build strong partnerships across the health sector and with external providers.

As Molly steps into retirement, she leaves a legacy of compassion, rigour and a practical commitment to making care better for people, families and communities. Molly has also made it clear she has no intention of disappearing, and we look forward to seeing where she pops up next.

On behalf of Palliative Care Australia and the broader palliative care community, thank you Molly, for your leadership, advocacy and enduring contribution to better palliative and end-of-life care in Australia.