Jane Morris, President of Dying With Dignity Victoria, when announcing Ian’s award at the dinner of the Trans-Tasman Voluntary Assisted Dying Conference on Monday 28 October, 2024, stated :“There would be very few people who have not heard of Dr. Rodney Syme. Rodney spent the latter part of his life selflessly and totally committed to ensuring the successful passage of VAD legislation in Victoria. Since 2007, DWDV has awarded The Rodney Syme Medal in recognition of the outstanding and distinguished effort by an individual/s in pursuit of the Dying with Dignity cause. Dying With Dignity Victoria is delighted to award the 2024 Rodney Syme Medal to Ian Wood, Co-Founder of Christians Supporting Choice for Voluntary Assisted Dying.

For the past 20 years, Ian has worked tirelessly, advocating for Voluntary Assisted Dying as an additional, compassionate end-of-life choice from the aspect of Christian support.

Congratulations Ian, and wholehearted thanks from all of us at Dying With Dignity Victoria for your invaluable efforts.”

After being presented with the Rodney Syme Medal by Michelle Hindson Board Member of Dying With Dignity Victoria, Ian responded:

“I’m delighted to accept this, and I do sincerely thank Jane Morris and DWD Victoria for presenting me with this Rodney Syme Award. Rodney was actually the person who I considered as one of the dozens and perhaps hundreds of people who have both mentored me and motivated me in my efforts to counter the mainly religious lobby who sought to impose their outdated views on all Australians.

I have really thought that Voluntary Assisted Dying should be a basic human right. We are Christians who believe that, as a demonstration of love and compassion, those who are terminally or hopelessly ill should have the option of a pain free, peaceful and dignified death with Voluntary Assisted Dying.

Thank you to Frances Coombe, President of VADSA, who back in 2008 spoke to me and my colleague, Reverend Trevor Bensch and suggested that we co-found our group; and I would also like to thank Reverend Dr Craig de Vos for his continued support of our

group as Patron. Thank you.”