Introduction

Dying With Dignity Western Australia (DWDWA) is an incorporated not-for-profit organisation, founded in 1980 by members of the community who believed that every mentally competent person should, with appropriate safeguards, have a legal right to determine the time and manner of his or her death (voluntary euthanasia) and that a medical practitioner should be able to carry out this request. DWDWA was formerly known as the West Australian Voluntary Euthanasia Society (WAVES) but was renamed following the 2015 Annual General Meeting.

DWDWA represents a wide range of people, who support its work through membership fees, donations and bequests. It is run entirely by volunteers. It is a member of the “World Federation of Right to Die Societies”.

Mission

“To bring about such changes to Western Australian Statute Law and to medical ethics as will allow a person to receive medically assisted euthanasia under circumstances specified by him or her when legally competent to make such a choice.”

Activities

The Society undertakes the following activities:

• Provide information to members and the community regarding voluntary euthanasia issues.
• Hold public meetings to discuss dying with dignity matters.
• Publish a periodical newsletter entitled “DWDWA NEWS”.
• Issue a 'Living Will' form to members, for them to register personal wishes regarding the circumstances of their own death.
• Inform and lobby leaders/members of the medical profession and political parties.
• Conduct lectures and debates to interested groups throughout WA on the subject of voluntary euthanasia.
• Liaise with national and international Voluntary Euthanasia, or Dying With Dignity organisations and the media.
• Attend local, national and overseas forums on VE issues.
• Provide information on governmental legislative requirements relating to voluntary euthanasia .

DWDWA does not prescribe or issue medications or actively assist anyone to end their lives.