'Bonds' was created as a reflection on working in age care (low and high care). The strings, knots and ties the small macrame was made of, highlights the many connections that are important to the physical, emotional and psychological welfare of the individuals. The enlarged shadow is an exstension of those connections, but the shadow also indicates the larger network and encounters associated with caring that are often indirect or forgotten.

It is wonderful to live in our society which has systems in place to support our journey from sickness to health. THE CALL is made to health professionals for diagnosis, hospital treatments and hopefully recovery. Sadly recovery may not be lasting or possible and we die. THE CALL is then made to the funeral industry. Without this vital connection to the practical, emotional and spiritual support of the community our needs would go unmet and our suffering compounded. THE CALL to connect with the community makes all the difference.

My son Ivànovic spent 8 months of his 10 months and 24 days of life inside the hospital mostly unable to move more than a metre from oxygen connected to the wall or some sort of breathing support. On this day just days after we spoke with palliative care and just days before he passed away, I took him outside so the sun could kiss his face there we were connected, connected to the community that we had looked at through his hospital room window. It would be his last walk

Learning to float is something that looks easy but takes a lot of effort to learn how to let go and trust the support of the water. In the same way, learning to trust community support can take a lot of time and effort, and be very frustrating at times, but when you get it right, and learn to trust and accept that strength and support, oh what a difference it can make.

Pink Callistemon is an artwork that I drew for my dying mother whilst she was in Pallative care. The artwork is reflective of the laughter, joy and abundance of relationship that mum and I shared together. Native flowers are my mothers favourite flora as they are hardy, beautiful, easily accessible and can be grown within most communities around Australia. The callistemon variety colour range is representative of the diverse communities which are throughout Australia. Native plants can connect our communities on a small scale though conversation commonalities. Pink Callistemon meaning; flowers are a soul in full flight and blossom.

My artwork is a negative-space image demonstrating the bonded connection between a dedicated palliative carer and the terminally ill, here depicted as an infant child. The logo on the arm could be modified to carry the Palliative Care Australia logo.