LARYNGECTOMEE SUPPORT GROUP THRIVES IN PORT MACQUARIE
This week, our Secretary from the Laryngectomee Association of NSW, visited a small but dedicated Laryngectomee support group in Port Macquarie. The group includes members from the wider Mid North Coast region who all underwent laryngectomy surgery in Sydney. Now back in their local communities, they are supported by Speech Pathologist Klint Goers at Port Macquarie Base Hospital.
The Laryngectomee Association of NSW is proud to provide ongoing financial support for the group, ensuring members have a welcoming space to meet, share refreshments, and connect through shared experiences. These monthly gatherings provide much more than companionship—they are a lifeline. From the engaging conversations on the day, it was clear how valuable it is for members to speak openly about their challenges and feel understood by others who have walked the same path.
Klint Goers noted that the group wouldn’t exist without both the support of the Association and the commitment of local champions. In Port Macquarie, that role is filled by Betty Hollis, who coordinates the group alongside her husband, Ken Hollis, a local farmer and laryngectomee. Ken believes his prolonged exposure to dust and chemical fertilisers on the farm may have contributed to his diagnosis.
While the surgical recovery is a major milestone, life after laryngectomy brings long-term adjustments. Members spoke openly about the ongoing realities—difficulties with swallowing, reduced sense of smell, stoma care, and the challenge of learning to communicate again. For many, support groups offer a space to talk through these issues, learn from each other, and most importantly, feel less alone.
Klint shared his hope for more groups like this across regional NSW. “Once people return home, isolation can quickly set in,” he said. “We need more local options for connection and support.”
The Laryngectomee Association of NSW is committed to supporting the creation of more regional support groups across the state. However, each group needs passionate people—like Betty and Klint—to bring it to life.
If you’re a Speech Pathologist, carer, or laryngectomee interested in starting a group in your region, we’d love to hear from you.