"Nobody Knows" What You Want When You're Gone
Dying to Know / Proveda
Dying to Know Campaign Wants Aussies to Spill Their Final Secrets
Don’t leave your family to play the world's worst guessing game
Sydney, NSW – 28 July 2025: Let's be honest – Aussies love a good chat about almost anything. The weather, footy, what's happening on reality TV. But mention death? Suddenly we're all silent.
Despite death being inevitable, most of us are still treating our final wishes like classified information. New research shows many Australians haven’t made any future health or care plans, and nearly half of us don’t have a current Will.
Here's the thing: dying without telling anyone what you want isn't mysterious, it's just messy.
Enter the cheekily relaunched "Nobody Knows" campaign for 2025, encouraging Australians to break the awkward silence around death and dying. Because if you don't say it, no one will know what you actually wanted.
"We want people to recognise that nobody's a mind reader – especially when you're no longer around to clarify things," says Danni Petkovic, Dying to Know's Community and Campaign Specialist. "These conversations aren't just about the big legal stuff. Sure, Wills matter, but what about the everyday mysteries you'll leave behind?"
Think about it: Who's going to look after your anxious labradoodle? Where did you hide the family's secret Tim Tam slice recipe? Do you want your funeral playlist to feature AC/DC or Taylor Swift (No judgement here)?
"These are the details families end up bickering over, frantically searching for, or just plain guessing," Petkovic adds. "A conversation now means no family WhatsApp group meltdowns later."
Dr Catherine Joyce, National Manager for Advance Care Planning Australia, suggests we might have our priorities a bit backwards. "We'll spend hours planning our next holiday but won't spare five minutes talking about our final wishes. The Dying to Know campaign isn't about doom and gloom – it's about taking control of your final story."
While older Aussies often avoid death chat, younger generations are leading the charge. A 2024 study by Virtue Worldwide found that more than 80% of Gen Z in the Asia-Pacific region believes it's "normal to be a bit weird", this includes being refreshingly open about death, grief, and everything in between.
Rory Kehoe, this year's Dying to Know intern, gives it to us straight: "It's actually pretty wild how quickly talking about death becomes just another, normal conversation. And honestly? We have way more fun with it than you'd expect. Before working on Dying to Know, I wasn't even comfortable saying the word 'death' out loud. Now look at me – I'm practically a deathie!"
Healthcare workers are big supporters of normalising conversations about death and dying too. As one palliative care nurse noted, "families often rock up to hospital with zero plan and no clue what their loved one actually wanted. It turns an already tough situation into a nightmare. A few honest conversations earlier could have changed everything."
On Friday August 8th, Dying to Know Day, a Proveda program gives everyone the perfect excuse to start these important conversations. This year, thousands of people will attend one (or more) of the hundreds of events that will take place across the country. You can join a casual coffee chat or a more structured workshop, webinar, or community forum.
Ready to spill your secrets? Rally your people, host your own Dying to Know event, or find one near you at www.dyingtoknow.au
Join the movement on social media with #DyingToKnow #NobodyKnows #TheSecretImGladIShared – because the only thing worse than having this conversation is not having it at all.
ENDS
About us:
For access to interview requests and images please contact:
|
Genevieve Ileris - 0457 526 691 |
Danni Petkovic – 0450 578 504 Campaign Manager-Dying to Know |
References + recent relevant coverage
Upcoming speaker gig: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/10-things-to-know-before-you-go-with-danni-petkovic-tickets-1442740177709 + SXSW Sydney OCT 2025
https://dyingtoknow.au/ background and campaign
Dying to Know is powered by Proveda:
A valued partner, trusted provider and respected employer, Proveda’s purpose is to enable individuals and communities to grow, connect and feel supported through collective expertise. Established in 1994, Proveda is the Northern Sydney Region’s largest independent, not-for-profit, community-led organisation. Its focus is to support people, their families and carers to navigate the health and social care systems, access the services they require, when they require them, and to live the life they want.
TALENT:
Danni Petkovic – Campaign Manager, Death + Mortality Doula, Bear Cottage Children's Hospice Volunteer – lived experience – 12th + final career in End Of Life space (found her purpose). Recent talk for ABC RADIO NATIONAL Changing Australia
Jessie Williams – Innovation Leader, been with Dying to Know Day from the start – Lived experience, TedX talk
Stephen Ginsborg – Doctor in his 70s on Northern Beaches – Director Compassionate Communities Australia
Don Morris – Tourism Think Tank former MOJO Director 80 years old and self-confessed Deathie, Mentor for campaign
Kaz Dawson – CEO Proveda
Rory Kehoe - Dying to Know intern
Contact details:
Genevieve Ileris (m)0457526691
Danni Petkovic (m) 0450 578 504
Campaign Manager-Dying to Know
