After 18 years in country General Practice Dr Fairbank decided to pursue an interest in Palliative Care, and gained qualifications through Flinders University. In 1986 he was instrumental in establishing the Warrnambool Base Hospital’s Palliative Care Unit of which he was the Director for the next 27 years until his retirement in 2013.

In 2012 Dr Fairbank, and his wife Margaret, received a Victorian Rural Doctor Award for over 35 years of service to the local community. In 2013 Dr Fairbank was honoured to receive an Order of Australia Award, and a Victorian Public Health Award for assisting hundreds of people prepare for their end of life care.

Since its inception in 2010 Dr Fairbank has been a member of the Warrnambool & District Community Hospice Inc committee, and continues to be actively involved in their Hospice in the Home program.