28/05/2026
The passing of legendary ABC Radio Sydney presenter James Valentine at 64 has sparked a massive national outpouring of grief and appreciation. As a beloved public figure, his choice of voluntary assisted dying (VAD) has been met with widespread public applause and affirmation.
But what does a society communicate when it responds to a chosen death with celebration?
In our latest article, we honor Valentine's legacy by engaging in the exact kind of honest conversation he spent his career championing. We look past the tidy headlines to explore the complex psychological grief experienced by families, and the unintended culture of "expectation" that public celebration can create for the vulnerable, the sick, and the elderly.
True compassion means asking the hard questions. Read the full piece on our Substack: https://righttolife.substack.com/p/a-nation-applauds-but-what-are-we