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What do you give the love of your life as a final birthday gift when they only have days left? That's the tender moment Reverend Jim Colville shares with us in this powerful chat. It's an act of love that perfectly sums up Jim's radical, non-judgemental approach to life, death, and dying.
Jim, the man who started Colony 47 in Hobart in 1973, joins me to discuss his work offering unconditional acceptance to everyone rejected by 1970s society—from young single mums to the LGBTQIA+ community. He tells us how he fought intense judgement, even being called a communist for painting a church door red! Jim's ministry has always been unconventional.
He shares beautiful insights on supporting people through traumatic, sudden death, and why silence is often better than trying to talk. Jim also recounts the deeply personal story of caring for his wife, Margaret, as she was dying from lung cancer. This led to his final, most enduring gift to her: a hidden tattoo he showed her just before she died. Tune in for a powerful, funny, and unforgettable chat about facing death and finding humanity in the toughest times.
What you’ll hear in this episode:
- The founding of Colony 47 in 1973 as a hub for non-judgemental acceptance.
If you’ve ever thought “I really should get my affairs in order,” this is your moment.
For $99 (fully tax-deductible), you can sponsor one carer with a full year of practical planning support — or use the same tools to make sure your loved ones aren’t left guessing by creating your own backup plan..
https://project.liftwomen.com/p/692a1d7562daa122b31e6dc4
MY LOVED ONE HAS DIED, WHAT DO I DO NOW?
Our guide, ‘My Loved One Has Died, What Do I Do Now?’ provides practical steps for the hours and days after a loved one's death. Download it here.
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If you’ve ever thought, “I really should get my affairs in order,” or wondered what would happen if you suddenly couldn’t show up — this is your moment.
Through Critical Info, we’re inviting listeners of Don't Be Caught Dead to either sponsor an unpaid carer or put their own backup plan in place.
For $99 (tax-deductible), you can sponsor one carer with a full year of practical planning support — real backup, not paperwork for paperwork’s sake.
Or you can use the same tools to make sure your loved ones aren’t left guessing if something happens to you.
It’s not about being morbid.
It’s about being kind — to yourself and to the people who rely on you.
👉 Sponsor a carer or start your backup plan via this link:
https://project.liftwomen.com/p/692a1d7562daa122b31e6dc4
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