Biography
Molly has been a passionate advocate for dying and grieving people and for building compassionate communities for the bulk of her eclectic career.
She is a sought after speaker because she talks about death in plain English, without all the medical jargon with the aim of returning ownership and control to ordinary people.
As Ambassador for Dying to Know Day, a national day of action (launched in 2013), Molly tours the country on August 8th each year supporting local events that encourage communities to ‘have the conversation’ in ways that are locally relevant.
A published author, her first book, Jelly Bean’s Secret, has been used widely as a tool for introducing the concept of death and grief to young children and her book, Sometimes Life Sucks addresses the complex needs of young adults when experiencing death and loss.
She is currently working on an additional three manuscripts for publication in 2016-17.
Her website deathtalker.com facilitates death and grief awareness online and explores the broader questions of meaning and life purpose. Molly has embraced the use of the arts as a vehicle for empowering people to come together and be entertained while also being challenged to think about their fears and anxieties about death. To this end, she collaborated with celebrated Australian author and playwright, Alan Hopgood on the plays, Four Funerals in One Day and The Empty Chair, exploring multiple issues including grief, dementia and relationships and both plays continue to tour nationally, recently being performed internationally.
Molly has also appeared in a number of documentaries and short films.
Molly not only speaks about these issues in the community but in the media and in the health and education sectors, appearing regularly on television, including on Network 10’s The Circle and The Project and on ABC’s The Weekly with Charlie Pickering. She is a regular commentator and studio guest on national radio, with multiple interviews on Radio National, ABC Local, commercial and community radio.
But death is not all Molly talks about.
She actively promotes the idea that if we build communities that are caring and compassionate, we would all feel supported and be better equipped to support others during life challenges and periods of emotional turmoil.
Molly believes that by empowering our local communities (be they workplaces, professional, school or residential communities) to explore the concepts of connection and empathy, we can create a groundswell of change that can have wide ranging impacts on our quality of life.
Molly brings to these topics extensive senior management and executive experience in both rural and metropolitan health services. She has a broad clinical background in specialist palliative care nursing, counselling and education. As General Manager, Integrated Cancer Services at the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre, Austin Health (where she previously held the positions of Manager, Palliative Care Services and Manager, Arts in Healthcare), Molly’s passion for the arts saw her establish an innovative program that encompasses visual, performance and participatory arts as an integral component of the model of care provided in the Cancer Centre.
She has also been an active participant in a number of research projects that are evaluating the impact of the arts on patients, families, visitors and staff. Molly is an Honorary Research Fellow for La Trobe University. As a leader in her field, Molly has previously held a variety of regional, state and national positions in the healthcare sector. She has sat on multiple government advisory committees and represents the sector in numerous policy and strategic development initiatives locally, nationally and internationally. She was Chair of the North and West Metropolitan Region Palliative Care Consortium, Victoria (2011-2013) and is an inaugural member of the Board of the Australian Centre for Arts and Health.
Molly delivered the 11th Annual Vivian Bullwinkel Memorial Oration in 2012. She was the recipient of a 2008 Churchill Fellowship, awarded the inaugural Arts and Health Australia Award for Health Promotion in 2009 and was presented with the International Journal of Palliative Nursing, Educator of the Year 2012 Award in London. She received the 2012 Deakin University and Health Super Award for Leadership in Nursing and Midwifery in addition to the Minister’s Award for Outstanding Achievement at the 2012 Victorian Public Healthcare Awards. Molly is a Fellow of the Australian College of Nursing, Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and Associate Fellow of the Australian College of Health Service Managers. Molly was appointed a Member in the General Division of the Order of Australia (AM) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in 2014.
Testimonials
Her Deep insights gained through her extensive work experience in these areas are communicated in an uncomplicated, understandable manner. She has the exciting rhetoric that captures an audience without distracting from the sensitivity of the subject matter.
St Vincent De Paul Society Vic
She proved to be dynamic, natural speaker. She is one the best we have ever had.
Education and Professional Development Manager
Molly brings to her public speaking engagements an impressive personal ability to communicate her material in an extremely clear, concise, informative and non- threatening manner that is tempered with humour and humility. Molly’s conference presentation have been inspiring in the mix of theoretical understanding, practical tools for individuals to apply for themselves and also when dealing with others who are grieving, vitality and humanity.
GrayHill Consultants
Molly’s Presentations were extremely motivating and informative, and the delegate surveys following her presentations were ranked at an 89% excellent rating feedback.
Creative Health Seminars
Molly Carlile is an energetic speaker with a passionate commitment to the caring professions. Her presentations are always lively and sure to engage the audience.
Professor Anne Marsh, Associate Dean Research, Faculty of Art & Design, Monash University
I attended the conference in Brisbane and i must say you are an inspiration to me. I went to the conference after an extremely hard time at work for the past 3 years i was ready to give up nursing completely, but listening to you, has given me the strength to continue nursing. I was completely disheartened with my career and my life actually. I can’t really express what you did for me over those two days i really don’t understand it either but something happened. I’m not a particularly spiritual person and i now see that there has been something missing from my life. I am only at the beginning of my journey to self awareness but we all have to start somewhere. I have decided not to return to the toxic environment i have been working in, in fact on Friday after the conference i received a call offering me a healthcare management position so i took it. So thank you, Molly.
Claire
I had written a series of health plays (see healthplay.com.au) in which I dealt with otherwise confronting subjects such as prostate cancer, widowhood and diabetes by using a thread of comedy through the play, to entertain, while informing the audience and relaxing them to open up, during the following forum. Molly Carlile approached me to use that formula for a play about palliative care. My first reaction was – palliative care? Where do I find the comedy in that? Well, after several sessions with her I had my play, “Four Funerals in One Day”, not because there’s anything funny about dying, but in the positive approach she evidenced, the way she was able to normalise and de-mystify the subject, I was able to find that thread of lightness to ease the audience into the subject and through that to a greater understanding. To put it simply – it is something we all have to face but it’s the last thing we want to talk about it. And in the forum following the play, I was able to watch Molly stride into the “devil’s lair and beard the demon” – and take the audience with her. Molly has a rare skill in connecting with an audience. Her lack of preaching and pretence gets an audience instantly on side. I am also happy to say, she has used this talent to educate children, both through her teaching and her books. We had several schools attend the play and their participation in the forum afterwards proved that it connected with them. The best tribute I can pay to Molly is that I have already booked her to ‘see me over’.
Alan Hopgood AM
Molly Carlile was a keynote speaker at The Art of Good Health and Wellbeing international arts and health conference in Port Macquarie in November 2009. Molly is a highly engaging presenter, readily connecting with her audience in a personal and interactive way. Her presentation on palliative care entitled “A Safe Space for Scary Conversations” tackled a difficult subject with humour, passion and integrity, providing practical information and amusing insights into those challenging times in peoples’ lives that embrace grief, loss and death – at whatever age. Molly is an excellent communicator and strategic thinker.”
Margret, Director, Arts and Health Australia
My son has just finished reading Jelly Bean Secret and he loved it. He has been brought up with death and dying because of what I do so it was interesting to do some of the tasks in the back of the book. It was very well structured. You are such an inspiration and you should feel very proud.
Jo Kelly, Palliative Care Coordinator
I would like to send my heart felt appreciation for the opportunity to share in the 2 day conference, as I found myself nodding and pondering pretty much for the entire 2 days to your words of wisdom and experience. So much so that I last night went home and sent off 4 job application letters having been elightened to the reality that had been eating away at me without being acknowledged formally, that my current employment is not longer providing the happiness and satisfaction a job should or has done in the past and that the team I work with is not a key and lock fit for me anymore. I have found myself remoulding to be who they need for their structure rather than be my natural self.
Martine
If you want someone who can talk about things that everyone else finds difficult to talk about Molly Carlile is the person. Molly has an incredible ability to talk about death and dying in ways that will engage, inform, entertain and inspire.
Kevin, Chief Executive Palliative Care Victoria
I always enjoy working with Molly as she has that rare mix of professionalism combined with the ability to change to evolving market needs. I always enjoy working with Molly as she is able to adapt her presentations to the evolving needs of our clients. It is good working with Molly as she is consistently highly professional. Molly’s vibrant personality and teaching ability make her an ideal person to work with groups of people from diverse backgrounds. Molly’s ecclectic background is invaluable in teaching people who may have difficulties communicating with others. Molly’s background enables her to speak across a large range of topics which are of great interest in today’s society.
Cynthea Wellings, Managing Director, Ausmed Conferences and Publishing Australia
Molly is an exceptional speaker who manages to connect with audiences even when discussing difficult topics
Cancer Nurses Association
Molly, your commitment and genuine professional care has significantly assisted the University in its mission to promote high quality teaching and learning. Thankyou so much for your professional support, enthusiasm and commitment to what has been an important program initiative of Victoria University
Professor Terence Seedsman, Victoria University
Vivacious, funny, thought provoking and enlightening. are the words to describe Molly Carlile as she tackles that subject that affects us all Death. In a world that seems to shy away from an open discussion of this topic, it is refreshing that someone is opening our hearts and minds and challenging our views on dying, caring for the terminally ill and death. I absolutely love being part of the audience when Molly speaks.. what a breath of fresh air and divine candor!
Simone M. Matthews, Universal Life Tools Co-Founder and Principal, ULT Metaphysical School of Healing
If you think that a talk on death, dying and bereavement is too dismal, then think again when "death talker" Molly Carlile is the speaker.Molly draws on her years of working with the dying and bereaved, in presenting these important issues with her unique warm, compassionate and humorous style. When most people would naturally shy away, she holds the attention of audiences with her important messages about these issues.
Professor Margaret O’Connor AM, President, Palliative Care Australia.
The conference was extremely well received by delegates and their evaluations of each session demonstrates overwhelmingly that the attendants got a lot out of coming, both in terms of personal learning’s and increased knowledge that they will take back to their workplace. Participants also vocalised how much they valued the opportunity for meeting others in the same field and having the chance to network and build peer supportive relationships. Your talk Molly was inspiring and challenging. I have included some of the feedback from the evaluations for your information.
“Dynamic-was like adrenaline”
“Bright, useful presentation”
“Bright, bubbly with lots of ideas outside the normal”
“Great exploration of emotional intelligence! Fab speaker-loved it !”
“Great ideas on helping to build personal resilence”
As you can see, people left with lots of ‘food for thought’, which has hopefully continued. Thank you again for your support, it is much appreciated.
Sonia Strachan - Clinical Nurse Consultant,On behalf of the team at Goulburn Valley Hospice Care Service.
Molly was a keynote speaker at our recent symposium and I am writing this testimonial as a tribute to the skills she demonstrated on the day. Molly presented her address to a mix of volunteers, the public and health professionals involved in integrated care for cancer patients. At no time was Molly rushed, distracted or confusing in her message and she did not paralyse this audience with PowerPoint. At all times Molly provided genuine, heartfelt stories to accompany her visual presentation. Molly presented smartly dressed and her body language and verbal presentation was distinctive. Molly projected her voice with a variety of tones that engaged the audience and from the feedback received, they retained information shared. Molly has the skill of being able to entertain and educate in a way that is memorable and relevant to the audience’s experiences. She used metaphors to illustrate concepts and creatively fired the audience’s imagination. I would have no hesitation in recommending Molly as a speaker at any public function.
Dr Anna Petterson -Manager, Research & Education, SolarisCare, Perth Western Australia
Molly Carlile was a keynote speaker at The Australian Reiki Connection (ARC) National Reiki Conference in Melbourne in October 2010.
Molly is a highly engaging presenter, readily connecting with her audience in a personal and interactive way. Her presentation on Reiki, entitled “Coming out of the Closet” tackled the subject with a unique blend of humour, storytelling, passion and integrity, providing practical information and amusing insights. Molly’s presentation explored the essential components required for Reiki and other complementary therapies becoming accepted as part of the mainstream health model. It explored the application of complementary approaches to health professional self care and resilience in a way that was easy to understand yet detailed and practical
ARC is honoured to have had such a professional and eloquent speaker in Molly who spoke with passion, knowledge and connected with everyone in the audience. I thoroughly recommend Molly, to every event organizer and I guarantee that she will be a hit with any audience.
John Coleman - President of Australian Reiki Connection Inc.
Molly facilitated a 2 day Palliative Care Conference for 80 of our nursing staff. Her excellent facilitation style and genuine passion for this topic was evident as she shared personal stories and her experience to challenge the way we approach end of life care in an aged care setting. Feedback received from our staff was exceptional and exceeded all expectations. It was a pleasure to work with Molly to coordinate this event and we hope to do it again with her in the future!
Carolyn Burleigh | Learning & Development Manager, Eldercare
Molly is one of the most passionate, knowledgeable and exciting people I have ever worked with. Her love of her work shines through in everything she does, from the smallest aspect to delivering information that is relevant, interesting, funny and at the same time incredibly rich. She is well respected in the profession, and has been an incredible wealth of information and support to me during my time in the palliative care arena.
Sally B., Special Projects : Quality and Research, Melbourne Citymission
Molly brings fresh and vibrant insights to palliative care. She promotes open and honest discussion about death for patients, their families and healthcare workers. One aspect of her work that I truly value is her support for the notion that good health care requires an emotionally healthy health care work force.
Madeleine C., Manager Austin Health Cancer Clinical Trials Centre, Austin Health
Molly is a passionate and articulate facilitator and presenter who engages and inspires her audience. She brings a rich professional experience combining clinical skills, education and a deep understanding of interdisciplinary palliative care practice to all her work. It is a joy to work with her
Barb D., Allied Care Manager, Melbourne Citymission Palliative Care
Molly is an outstanding communicator, facilitator and presenter. She is passionate, engaging, funny, articulate and intelligent. An original and strategic thinker, she combines a thorough well-researched understanding of her subject matter with the insights of her extensive and varied experiences and creativity. Molly connects with her audiences in a natural, intuitive and engaging way.
Odette W., CEO, Palliative Care Victoria
Molly has been both the inspiration for two of my HealthPlays "Four Funerals in One Day" and "The Empty Chair" and watching her run the relevant forums connected with the plays further reveals how skilled she is at making a confronting subject comfortable for an audience so they embrace it rather than run from it.
Alan Hopgood, director, Bay Street Productions
Molly is an energetic and innovative speaker whose engaging style will include all your audience and promote vigorous discussion. I strongly recommend her as a speaker in her areas of expertise.
John R., Lecturer - teaching and research, University of Queensland
Molly is a conscientious and talented person who sets to achieve anything she embarks on. Molly is always willing to offer you an opinion but more importantly she gives you her undivided attention and respect when you have something to say. Every time I am in the presence of Molly, I feel welcomed. Molly is a hardworking and respected individual.
Jo K., Nurse Practitioner Candidate, Bass Coast Community Health service
Molly Carlile is a leading figure in palliative care in Australia and internationally. She is a strong advocate for the use of the arts in healthcare and health promotion. Throughout her career as a nurse, health manager and writer, Molly has seen how engagement with the arts (visual art, music, theatre, dance, narrative writing etc) can support people at end of life, care for people during their experience of chronic illness and often restore people to good health. At the heart of her practice is Molly's deep compassion for people and a strong personal commitment to ensuring that people enjoy a high quality of life at any stage during their lifespan.
Margret Meagher, Executive Director, Arts and Health Australia
Molly has been both the inspiration and partner in creating two of my HealthPlays "Four Funerals in One Day" and "The Empty Chair" and watching her run the relevant forums connected with the plays further reveals how skilled she is at making a confronting subject comfortable for an audience so they embrace it rather than run from it.
Alan Hopgood, Director, Bay Street Productions
