Margaret’s distinguished career in palliative care began as a clinical nurse caring for people in their own homes and has included establishing and managing services as well as education and research roles. She was honoured with an Order of Australia in 2005 for her contribution to palliative care; and received a Churchill Fellowship in 2018 to study aspects of palliative care and voluntary assisted dying in a number of countries.

Margaret was inaugural Professor of Palliative Care Nursing at Monash University, where she remains as Emeritus Professor, contributing to teaching, research and PhD supervision. Her research has encompassed service delivery and workforce issues in many settings, including aged care.

She has held numerous roles advocating for people’s rights as they approach the end of their life, including being President of Palliative Care Australia, and a foundation member of the World Palliative Care Alliance.

Margaret continues to work as a Board Director of Catholic Healthcare Ltd, a large aged care provider, and as Chair of Palliative Care South East, in Melbourne’s outer suburbs.