Over 400 end-of-life clinical professionals, policy makers, researchers and advocates converged on Melbourne last week for VADCON26, the biennial conference of the VADANZ network, the Australia-New Zealand peak body for voluntary assisted dying health professionals.
With the theme “From the Margins to the Mainstream,” it was hosted by Go Gentle Australia. Running from 18 to 20 October, it is the largest conference of its kind in the world with 48 presentations and eight panel discussions.
WFRtDS board member Anne Bunning of VAD South Australia co-presented with Dying With Dignity NSW board member and WFRtDS Quarterly Editor Suzanne James, addressing an Equity of Access session on Day 1.
Day 2 included a lengthy panel discussion on obstruction and the need to protect patient rights from religious interference in health, hospice and aged care settings.
The Go Gentle Australia Gala Awards dinner was a highlight with academics, clinicians and community advocates and groups honoured for their contributions.
In a social media post afterwards Go Gentle Australia founder Andrew Denton said it was “easily the most successful voluntary assisted dying conference yet” with many valuable advocacy connections made. Denton stated that “ten years ago we would be lucky to get five clinicians” to attend, showing how much progress has been made.
WFRtDS Executive Director Peter Warren also attended and hosted a “Team Australia” dinner on the Tuesday night for Australian affiliate Presidents and VAD Media Watch representatives.
Peter said it was heartening to see the commitment and drive of Australia’s advocacy movement.
“So many amazing colleagues who continue to work tirelessly to advocate for and support the right to assisted dying,” he said. “(It was) a privilege to share the space with them.”
A conference report will be available in due course. The next VADANZ conference is expected to be in New Zealand in 2028.
Next Stop – Tokyo
In its 50th anniversary year, WFRTDS is hosting its biennial conference in Tokyo from 25 to 28 November 2026.
The theme of their conference is “My Life, My Choice” and the extensive agenda includes respected keynote speakers, the 2026 WFRtDS Awards, and the launch of the new WFRtDS Quarterly magazine.
The conference will be held at the Toshi Centre Hotel Tokyo and Chaired by Yoshihiro Kitamura of the Japan Society for Dying with Dignity.
Tickets and accommodation information can be found on the Tokyo Conference website.
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