The Forster chapter of Dr Nitschke’s Exit International group will meet on May 21 at Coastal Patrol Headquarters, and a large audience would pave the way for a follow-up workshop in the future with Dr Nitschke in attendance.

“We’ve tentatively scheduled the workshop for September,” Dr Nitschke said.

“I probably will come to Forster, but it depends how successful the public meeting (on May 21) is.”

Exit chapters in other Australian and New Zealand towns have followed the same format. A free public meeting broadly discusses euthanasia and measures local interest. A follow-up workshop is open to Exit members only, and specifies ways people can end their lives. Members pay a $50 joining fee and sign a disclaimer promising not to use the information “to advise, counsel or assist in the act of suicide”.

“It’s effectively stating they won’t take notice of what I’m saying,” Dr Nitschke said.

The group generally attracts interest from elderly Australians, a demographic strongly represented in the Great Lakes. Forster convener Lesley Archer expects a large audience at the meeting.

“A peaceful death is everyone’s right,” she said.

“We had the same fight over abortion in the 1950s. In some cases abortion is obviously justified, and it’s the same with this issue.”

Like abortion advocacy groups, Exit faces loud opposition from religious leaders. A February series of workshops in New Zealand met with protests from evangelical Christian groups including the Light of Christ Covenant. Dr Nitschke is not sure what reception to expect in Forster.

“You never know really. Sometimes these things happen without the slightest warning. All it takes is for someone in the town to feel really strongly and organise a protest,” he said.

“I hope people feel free to express an alternative viewpoint. We haven’t encountered any violence so far, or even a significant attempt to disrupt a meeting.”

Father Kevin Corrigan from Forster’s Holy Name of Jesus Catholic church was unaware of the planned meeting when contacted, and said he was “disappointed”.

“We at the church say life is a gift from God and the sanctity of life needs to be preserved,” he said.

“I’ve had experience with people whose lives are ending in great pain and I believe the community needs to provide support throughout their passing.”

Fr Corrigan said he will dissuade curious partishioners from going to the meeting.

“Firstly I would ask why they would be interested in going, but I’d also be concerned about the presence of anyone in the community who’d help people end their lives prematurely,” he said.

“Euthanasia, whether legalised or illegal, is giving someone the license to kill someone else. It’s contrary to the whole medical tradition.”

Any information given at the Forster meeting will dice with breaking the law. It is a crime to advise, counsel or assist someone to commit suicide in Australia, and the offence carries a maximum jail term of 20 years in NSW.

Dr Nitschke led the campaign for the Northern Territory’s short-lived euthanasia legislation under which four people ended their lives before the laws were overturned by the Howard government.

Exit International’s Forster chapter meets 10.30am Wednesday May 21 at Coastal Patrol Headquarters, Forster Breakwall.

Lifeline: 13 11 14.