It's a service chief executive officer Mark Cockayne says enables people to live and die with dignity.

"The last breath is not the issue but how to live up until then."

The free service operates around the clock, seven days a week. Over the 25 years, it has cared for more than 10,000 individual patients.

"More than half of our time is spent working in home care with the person who is ill and the rest of the focus is on the carers and family," Mr Cockayne says. Palliative care is often misunderstood as being only for elderly people, but each week the home-care service reaches out to between six and 10 children.

Mr Cockayne says SEPC's future lies in its extensive volunteer base, cultural diversity and the needs of an ageing demographic.

Founding member and volunteer treasurer Bruce Greenwood says fund-raising is necessary to fill gaps between government funding and budgetary needs.

"Expenditure has doubled in the past three years. We have 38 staff servicing the south-eastern region and a volunteer base of 70.

"With almost two people dying each day, this service provides people with choice and options...it gives them a chance to die at home."

SEPC chairman Wes Jame told guests at anniversary celebrations at the Sandhurst Club last week that 25 years of service was truly something to celebrate. "It's an opportunity to reflect upon our shared history, and most importantly to acknowledge the many people and their contributions behind this success."