A woman who is expected to be among the first to have her life ended under new euthanasia laws says having control over her own death is a 'huge relief'. Victoria is the first state in Australia's history to allow legal euthanasia for terminally ill patients, with laws taking effect on Wednesday. Margaret Radmore, a nurse of more than 40 years, is expected to be one of the people to utilise the euthanasia scheme after being diagnosed with bowel cancer and was given 12 months to live. An estimated four people per week will have their lives ended under the new law, though the numbers will be fewer initially as the legal and consent processes have to start from scratch. Margaret Radmore (pictured), a nurse of more than 40 years, has been given 12 months to live after being diagnosed with bowel cancer which has spread to her liver. In March, she decided to stop chemotherapy and 'let nature take its course' The Alfred hospital (pictured) will have three pharmacists on staff who will be responsible for mixing the drug and personally delivering it to patients throughout Victoria. Every other region will have at least one public health service available Margaret Radmore, a nurse of more than 40 years, has been given 12 months to live after being diagnosed with bowel cancer which has spread to her liver. In March, she decided to stop chemotherapy and 'let nature take its course.' 'One of my very first thoughts when I was given my diagnosis, is the terror of anticipating a bad death,' she said on Sunday, noting a good death was a person being as a comfortable as possible. Ms Radmore is expected to be among those dozen Victorians to access the fatal drugs in the first year of the new law. 'When this legislation was passed it was a huge relief to me,' Ms Radmore said. 'I am perfectly comfortable with my fate and it is a very sad thing to be living through but the fact that I have control at the end is really important to me. 'I might not even use the medication but just knowing it is there. I am really keen to start the process to have the kit because then I can just put it in the cupboard and just get on with living.' 'I am perfectly comfortable with my fate and it is a very sad thing to be living through but the fact that I have control at the end is really important to me,' Ms Radmore said Over 100 doctors, one third in regional Victoria, have been training in preparation for the new law which requires patients to meet strict criteria to be allowed access to the lethal drugs which will be held at The Alfred hospital. Under the voluntary assisted dying laws, patients must be of sound mind and have been diagnosed with a condition expected to kill them within a year, or within six months for those with neurodegenerative conditions. Up to 200 Victorians are expected to access the assisted dying scheme each year, though the government believes as few as 12 will be euthanized in the next 12 months. Up to 200 Victorians are expected to access the assisted dying scheme each year, though the government believes as little as 12 people will use the euthanasia drug in the next 12 months (stock photo) The Alfred hospital will have three pharmacists on staff who will be responsible for mixing the drug and personally delivering it to patients throughout Victoria. The Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre will also have two assisted dying 'navigators' on staff. Every other region in Victoria will also have at least one public health service with staff who are qualified in the procedure and will help those considering euthanasia. The State Government describes its euthanasia laws as the safest and most conservative in the world, with over 68 safeguards in place to ensure only eligible patients will have access. It will be the first time euthanasia will be allowed in Australia since the Northern Territory legalised it over two decades ago. The Federal Parliament at the time quickly reverted the laws and euthanasia was made illegal once again until now. Premier Daniel Andrews (pictured) said it has been a long journey for many people who had advocated for 'more dignified, more compassionate choices at the end of a person's life' Premier Daniel Andrews said it has been a long journey for many people who had advocated for 'more dignified, more compassionate choices at the end of a person's life.' 'Ultimately this is about giving to Victorians - who have a terminal illness and are in the terminal phase of that illness and have unbearable pain and suffering - the option, the dignifying choice,' he told reporters on Sunday. Pro-Life Victoria plans to protest the assisted dying laws on the steps of parliament on Tuesday night, saying they will devalue palliative care and 'legitimise suicide' for vulnerable people. A letter signed by four Victorian bishops warns it will mark 'a new, and deeply troubling chapter of health care'. 'We cannot cooperate with the facilitation of suicide, even when it seems motivated by empathy or kindness,' the letter signed by the Melbourne, Ballarat, Sale and Sandhurst bishops said. VICTORIA'S JOURNEY TO ASSISTED DYING 1995 - The suggestion of legalising euthanasia in Victoria is raised with then-premier Jeff Kennett, saying the government would watch how Northern Territory legislation is utilised 1996 - Victorian Liberals at state council vote for parliament to examine the NT's legislation 1999 - Euthanasia campaigner Dr Philip Nitschke holds a temporary, secret clinic to give advice to dying patients 1999 - Another euthanasia campaigner Dr Rodney Syme reports the assisted suicide of one of his patients, a 52-year-old woman with MS, to the state coroner in a bid to reopen the euthanasia debate 2008 - Upper House Greens MP Colleen Hartland introduces a physician assisted dying bill to parliament, which is defeated June 2016 - A cross-party group of MPs who investigated assisted dying calls for laws to legalise euthanasia in limited circumstances December 2016 - The Andrews Labor government announces it will work towards legalising assisted dying September 2017 - After months of drafting, an assisted dying bill enters parliament November 2017 - Assisted dying laws pass parliament following more than 100 hours of debate including overnight sittings in both houses and the 18-month implementation process begins June 19, 2019 - Assisted dying comes into effect under strict circumstancesAll rights reserved for this news site dailymail and under his responsibility