Celebrating supporters of ROMAC NZ

Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon Richard Wong She who is Clinical Leader for Burns at the National Burn Centre of NZ, receiving a PHF certificate for the Burns Unit Team at Middlemore Hospital, Auckland from DG Peter Garnett

More than 70 people attended a special Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children (ROMAC) function on October 9, in West Auckland, NZ to recognize some non-Rotarians who have made special contributions to the work of ROMAC in NZ.  Doctors John Stirling and Kirsten Finucane spoke about the work they do in the Pacific Islands, particularly in Vanuatu and Fiji.

ROMAC also presented PDG Trish O’Reilly with a special plaque recognising her role in bringing ROMAC to NZ over a decade ago.  She was the first NZ ROMAC Director and battled bureaucracy to enable ROMAC to bring children to NZ for surgery.  It was no mean fete as initially the Ministry of Health was very resistant, but with her persistence she succeeded, so much is owed to Trish for her effort and dogged determination.

Also present was past ROMAC Chairman in Australia PDG Terry Grant who convinced Trish to bring ROMAC to NZ.  Trish handed over the reins to PDG Geoff Dainty and of course the rest is history.  From very humble beginnings where only a few children received surgery through ROMAC’s efforts, the numbers have grown to over 20 in the past year. This has only occurred through the help of Rotary clubs, Rotarians, Rotary International grants and of course all the numerous volunteers.

ROMAC is indebted to these people who so willingly donate their time and expertise, allowing ROMAC to allocate almost 100 per cent of the money raised to ROMAC’s work, restoring dignity and prospects of a full life to so many children from the Pacific.

First Chair of ROMAC NZ PDG Trish O’Reilly (centre) receiving a plaque, with past ROMAC Australia Chairman PDG Terry Grant who encouraged Trish to bring ROMAC to NZ with current ROMAC NZ Chair Angela Bowey

Paediatric Cardiac Surgeon Kirsten Finucane after speaking on her work was presented with PHF recognition from DG Peter Garnett

Paediatric Cardiologist John Stirling receiving PHF recognition from DG Peter Garnett

Robert's story - a life transformed

Robert was born on 7 February 2007 with two club feet.  In New Zealand or Australia this would have been dealt with shortly after birth.  The problem for Robert was he was born in a small remote village on Tanna Island, Vanuatu.

Although he had his legs in plaster for 6 weeks after his birth that did not correct the deformity.  Robert had to be carried everywhere by his Parents although he could walk to a limited extent on the tops of his feet.

In April 2012 an Australian Blindness Prevention Project team visiting Robert’s village identified his condition as one that could not be treated effectively by local medical facilities and referred to him to Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children (ROMAC).

Robert and his dad arrived in New Zealand on 15 January 2014.  They were hosted by the Rotary Club of Waikato Sunrise and home hosted by Club member Michele Rees-Williams.  Robert and Ialulu experienced many new things while in New Zealand courtesy of Rotarians.

Robert was treated at Waikato Hospital Orthopaedic Clinic.  He had plaster casts on both legs until 28 May 2014 when surgeon Richard Willoughby and his surgical team, who volunteered their time and expertise, operated on Robert’s feet.

On 4 July 2014 the plasters came off. Richard Willoughby was happy with the result and gave the all clear for Robert to go home.  Robert was issued with special support “splints” to wear inside his first pair of shoes.                                                                                                             

When Robert and Ialulu left on 9 July 2014, Robert was able to walk through the airport departure doors unaided. 

ROMAC’s intervention has changed the lives of Robert and his family.  Robert can now look forward to the normal activities of a young boy and can grow up to be an active member of his village.  His exposure to English and formal education for the first time opens up other possibilities for him and his family.

Robert is one of the lucky ones.  There are hundreds of children identified every year in the Oceania region who could benefit from treatment through ROMAC.

By - Colin Sanderson, ROMAC D9930.

Web:  www.romac.org.au

LYDIA KO - ROMAC Ambassador

LYDIA KO, New Zealand’s most successful golfer and one of the world’s most successful female golfers, has become an ambassador for Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children ROMAC), Rotary’s multi-District project which brings children from Pacific Island countries to Australia and New Zealand for life saving and dignity restoring surgery that is not available to them in their own countries.

Lydia is very well known in golfing circles and the recent announcement of her intention to turn professional at the young age of 16, means that her profile can only get bigger.

This news comes on the back of a developing Rotary relationship between NZ and Korea, with Rotary Districts 9910 and 3730 having partnered a successful ROMAC Matching Grant project in 2012/2013 and having agreed to repeat this with an even larger Global Grant project partnership in the 2013/2014 Rotary year.

Both Matching Grant projects support ROMAC’s work with the high incidence of congenital heart defects in children in Vanuatu and sits alongside a number of other Global Grant partnerships between D9910 and other Korean Districts that are underway to benefit the health and education of the Vanuatuan people.

ROMAC is extremely grateful to Lydia for her interest in supporting its work in the islands and looks forward to a partnership that will raise its public profile and financial support which ROMAC needs to continue its work giving more children lifesaving surgery.
Professional tour wins as an amateur: 

2012 - Womens’ NSW Open at age 14 (the youngest player to win a professional golf tournament) and winner Canadian Women’s Open.
2013 – NZ Women’s Open, Canadian Women’s Open.

Website: www.romac.org.nz
Email:  info@romac.org.nz