Reverend Dawes’ 40 years of caring for the community
23 January 2025
Peter Mac’s Head of Spiritual Care Reverend David Dawes is celebrating twin milestones – 25 years of caring for people with cancer, and 40 since his ordination.
David can often be seen visiting wards and clinics across Peter Mac, gently engaging patients, carers and family members in conversation.
Spiritual Carers have time for lengthy conversations, or to simply sit with people - a rarity in the busy hospital setting. They approach a person as an individual, supporting them to process the complex emotions that come with cancer.
‘We explore what gives each person a sense of purpose, meaning or belonging. It’s about engaging and listening - about what’s important, where they belong, or who supports them. It’s different for everyone.’
Growing up in a Methodist church, David and his mother valued the sense of community it gave them. The positive role models he found there inspired him to pursue his vocation.
David was ordained as a Reverend within the Uniting Church in December 1984.
‘I didn’t think I’d be here 40 years later,’ he says with a laugh, ‘You just blink and so much has happened.’
David joined Peter Mac from the Royal Children’s Hospital in 1999, after four people encouraged him to apply for the position. Initially unsure he wanted to leave the Children’s Hospital, David says, ‘It was probably the best thing I did.’
Today David leads a team of eight people dedicated to supporting the spiritual needs of Peter Mac’s diverse community.
His team member’s previous life experience includes aircraft engineering, Chinese medicine, nursing and IT. Their personal approaches to spirituality are equally diverse.
All of them (except David himself) trained at Peter Mac, completing the Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) program that began in 1979.
They work closely with Peter Mac’s social workers, psychologists and psychiatrists, collaborating to address people’s needs beyond their physical illness.
David cites the marriages he has performed at Peter Mac as some of his most special moments. Most recently he married a young man with a rare cancer to his partner just days before he passed.
Spiritual carers can play an important role during end-of-life care. They often support families to ensure rituals are carried out according to their cultural or religious beliefs.
Overall, David says patient care hasn’t changed much in his time at Peter Mac.
‘People are still looking for the same things.’
‘It’s important to listen to people’s stories and acknowledge what has contributed to making them the person they are.’
Personally, David cares for himself by taking time out to read and cook. Once he has recovered from a shoulder injury, he will get back into the gym.
David marked his remarkable milestones with some modest celebrations with family and his team. Then, it was back to caring for the community he is so dedicated to.