Our Story
For more than 30 years, Amitayus Home Hospice Service has supported people who wish to approach the end of life in the familiarity of home, surrounded by the people and places that matter to them.
The creation of Amitayus begins with a story of love for a charismatic young gay man, Marcus G. Saville, who died from HIV/AIDS in 1994. It is a story of how his community took matters into their own hands and went on to create a successful grassroots organisation and public health partnership.
The town of Mullumbimby responded with a great outpouring of love, compassion and practical support, which allowed Marcus to die peacefully at home, on his own terms, supported by many friends and family members who grew their capacity to care on both emotional and practical levels.
Friends and family were, in turn, supported by the advice and guidance of the Buddhist monk Venerable Pende Hawter, co-founder of Brisbane’s Karuna Hospice, who later helped develop the first carer training program.
After Marcus died, a public community meeting was held to form a home-based hospice service that could offer everyone the same opportunity. More than 200 people attended. A management committee was established, volunteer carers were trained to offer care in the home, and relationships were developed with Lismore Palliative Care and the Byron and Mullumbimby community nurses.
Amitayus grew from the strong love people held, a desire to reclaim death and dying back into our own hands, and a wish to do death and dying better. We are part of a global movement reclaiming our rights and rites of passage.
Long may it continue.
A community response to a deeply human need
For many people, home offers comfort, familiarity and connection. It is where life has been lived, relationships have been formed and memories have been made.
Yet caring for someone with a debilitating or life-limiting illness at home can place enormous emotional and physical demands on family and friends.
Amitayus was created to help make care at home a more supported and viable choice. Through practical assistance and the presence of trained volunteer carers, the organisation works alongside individuals and families during one of life’s most significant transitions.
Care made possible by community
From its beginnings, Amitayus has been shaped and sustained by people willing to give their time, skills and care to others.
Our volunteer carers undertake education and training in end-of-life care, developing the practical understanding and emotional awareness needed to support people and their families at home.
Amitayus also provides education to the wider community, helping people develop greater confidence and understanding around death, dying, grief and caring for someone at home. Its current community education includes the Last Aid course delivered through Byron Community College.
Remaining true to our purpose
Although the organisation has grown and evolved since 1994, its purpose remains clear: to provide practical care and support for people approaching the end of life who wish to be cared for at home.
Amitayus continues to work through community participation, trained volunteers, education, fundraising and local support. Its services are provided free of charge, helping ensure that care is available based on need rather than someone’s ability to pay.
Care that honours every person
Amitayus is committed to care that is safe, respectful, equitable and inclusive.
We welcome people of every race, faith, cultural background, age, ability, gender identity and sexual orientation, together with their families and carers.
We acknowledge the Arakwal people of the Bundjalung Nation as the Traditional Owners of the land on which Amitayus lives and works, and pay respect to Elders past and present.
Our story continues
The story of Amitayus continues through every volunteer who offers their time, every family who allows us into their home and every person who chooses to approach the end of life in their own way.
As conversations around death and dying become more open, Amitayus remains committed to building a community in which people feel more informed, supported and less alone.
Be part of what comes next
Whether you are seeking support, considering becoming a volunteer or would like to help sustain the work of Amitayus, there is a place for you in our community.