Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children (ROMAC) | Businesses

Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children (ROMAC)

Add/Update information

Reviews

Tags

• Businesses
• Non-profit organisation

25.01.2022 Building company CONDEV Construction has kindly donated $3000 to ROMAC. This was some of the funds donated for the Condev GC100 Charity Bike ride that the Rotary Club of Parkwood in Queensland holds every year. Picture left to right: Glenn Cream, Hilli Reaburn & Andrew Clancy For more information about CONDEV Construction, see http://condevconstruction.com.au.

25.01.2022 Sign up to receive the ROMAC e-Newsletter as soon as it is published.

25.01.2022 Promising news from the Centennial Hospital for Women and Children in Canberra where 3 months old Vincent is recovering following life-saving surgery last week thanks to ROMAC Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children. Vincent was flown to Canberra by ROMAC in July to correct a blockage between his oesophagus and his stomach which required him to be fed through a catheter in his stomach surgery that was not possible in his home country of the Solomon Islands. Although he ...still has a long way to go, Vincent is doing well and a week after his surgery has had his chest drain, urinary catheter, and the tube from his oesophagus removed. As always, ROMAC is very grateful for the many people who volunteer their expertise and time to ensure that young patients like Vincent receive the treatment they need. Without your dedication and commitment to ROMAC, changing young lives such as Vincent’s would not be possible. Thank you! ROMAC provides medical treatment for children from developing countries in the form of lifesaving and dignity restoring surgery not accessible to them in their home country. Read more about ROMAC at www.romac.org.au or www.romac.org.nz

25.01.2022 A very enjoyable and successful dinner with proceeds benefiting ROMAC was held last night in the Merewether Surf House, Merewether, in District 9670. It was hosted by Charlestown Rotary Club and was attended by 130 Rotarians and friends. Former Governor General of Australia, General Sir Peter and Lady Lynne Cosgrove were special guest speakers and enthralled everyone by their many entertaining life stories. ROMAC representatives included ROMAC Chair: Harold Sharp OAM, Medic...al Director: Larry Roddick OAM, (pictured with Sir Peter), Eastern Region Chair: Helen Ryan and District 9670 ROMAC Chair: Jim Klumpp. ROMAC provides medical treatment for children from developing countries in the form of lifesaving and dignity restoring surgery not accessible to them in their home country. Read more about ROMAC at www.romac.org.au or www.romac.org.nz

24.01.2022 These beautiful, cuddly teddy bears have been knitted for the ROMAC children who are undergoing treatment. This heart-warming project, involving all of the New Zealand Region, was coordinated by Wendy Cantlon of the Rotary Club of Maketu in District 9930, in the Bay of Plenty. Pictured right to left: Host Club Liaison Barbara Watt, NZ ROMAC Chair Glenys Parton and Overseas Patient Co-ordinator Moira McGivern.

24.01.2022 ROMAC (Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children) could not survive without the wonderful support of Rotary Clubs in Australia and New Zealand. Chairman Harold had the very enjoyable task of accepting a cheque for $5,000.00 on behalf of ROMAC from Sue Raveane, Immediate Past President of the Rotary Club of Crows Nest last night at the club's annual giving night. Many thanks to the members of Crows Nest for your generosity and your ongoing support. ROMAC provides medical treatm...ent for children from developing countries in the form of lifesaving and dignity restoring surgery not accessible to them in their home country. Read more about ROMAC at www.romac.org.au or www.romac.org.nz

24.01.2022 Photo: Australian Geographic Despite a very tragic start to 2020, Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children (ROMAC) wishes all our supporters a very Happy New Year and extends our sincere thanks for your ongoing support during 2019. Chairman Harold Sharp, the Board members, and the many ROMAC volunteers in Australia and New Zealand express our condolences to all Australians who have been affected by both the bush fires and drought that have decimated our country in recent weeks..., and also to the New Zealanders who have been affected by the tragic White Island volcanic eruption. We join others in thanking all the volunteers and emergency service personnel who have been risking their lives to keep us safe. Our prayers and best wishes go to all of you during this especially difficult time and hope we will find some relief soon. ROMAC provides medical treatment for children from developing countries in the form of lifesaving and dignity restoring surgery not accessible to them in their home country. Read more about ROMAC at www.romac.org.au or www.romac.org.nz

24.01.2022 Vale PDG Trish O’Reilly It is with deep sadness that ROMAC (Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children) advises the death of PDG Trish O’Reilly on September 5th, 2019. Trish was instrumental in establishing ROMAC in New Zealand in 2004 and facilitating the treatment of our first patient from Vanuatu in 2005. She was the inaugural New Zealand representative and worked alongside Dr Max Morris, the first New Zealand Medical Director. Trish most recently joined the current ROMAC tea...m in Sydney in March 2018, to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of ROMAC. She maintained a constant interest in ROMAC throughout the years and never failed to give of herself selflessly to all that moved her heart in her service to humanity. E kore au e ngaro, he kkano i ruia mai i rangitea. She will be sadly missed. Our thoughts go to her family and friends at this sad time. Read more about ROMAC at www.romac.org.au or www.romac.org.nz

24.01.2022 Thanks for inviting me. I look forward to becoming involved and hopefully being able to contribute in a meaningful way.

23.01.2022 The work of a ROMAC Regional Chair never stops but it is all in a good cause. Jill Oliver, Southern Region Chair, recently visited the Rotary Club of Port Melbourne to introduce the new District 9800 Chair and talk about ROMAC and what it does. Port Melbourne is a very small but very friendly club and the members donated $89 to ROMAC - the proceeds of their fines session. Photo: President Graham Read, Jill Oliver, Betty Kitchener and John Wall, visiting President of the Rota...ry Club of South Melbourne. Donate to ROMAC at https://www.romac.org.au/donate/. Read more about ROMAC at www.romac.org.au or www.romac.org.nz

23.01.2022 Tasmania sparkles with $5000 for ROMAC The Sparkle in the Dark event hosted by the Rotary Club of Ulverstone recently raised funds for ROMAC and Huntington's Tasmania. For more information, see https://www.theadvocate.com.au//supporting-worth-causes-w/.

23.01.2022 A ROMAC Christmas in Canberra An Aussie Christmas for 6 month old ROMAC patient, Vincent, and his mother, Costina, celebrated with their host family -D9710 ROMAC Chair, Sandra Goldstraw and her husband, Brian. Vincent is recovering from surgery to correct a blockage between his oesophagus and his stomach (Oesophageal Atresia) which he underwent at Canberra's Centennial Hospital for Women and Children in August, and it is expected to be several months before he is well enough ...to return to his home in the Solomons. ROMAC provides medical treatment for children from developing countries in the form of lifesaving and dignity restoring surgery not accessible to them in their home country. Read more about ROMAC at www.romac.org.au or www.romac.org.nz

23.01.2022 Nine-year-old Lucilia is from Dili in Timor-Leste. In 2017 she was diagnosed with nasopharygeal carcinoma, a type of head and neck cancer which starts in the upper part of the throat behind the nose. This disease is rare in Australia but relatively common in South East Asia. She needed chemotherapy and radiation therapy if she were to survive this cancer and its potential spread. She was referred to ROMAC who took up her case. Lucilia successfully underwent a number of chemot...herapy sessions in Dili, under the guidance of Professor Michael Sullivan from the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne. However, she needed extensive radiotherapy which could not be done in her home country. The Rotary Club of Healesville in Victoria agreed to be her ROMAC Host Club. Visas were arranged for Lucilia and her aunt Santina to come to Melbourne in February 2018 to undergo a course of follow-up radiotherapy over three months at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. Peter Mac, as it is fondly called, is a world-class hospital in Parkville, dedicated to treating and caring for people with cancer. Lucilia's radiotherapy could not start immediately as the tumour had infiltrated her spine and she had fractured neck vertebrae. She also needed dental treatment and to put on some weight. By March she was fitted with a neck brace which she had to wear 24 hours a day to ensure her spine would be aligned. She then started her 6-week radiation program, which progressed well. However, after 30 sessions, she developed some radiation burns which required treatment in the Royal Children's Hospital in late April. By early May Lucilia was cancer-free and had no radiotherapy swelling. Dr Sullivan cleared her to go home to Dili where she would need to complete her treatment with two sessions of chemotherapy. As D9810 ROMAC Chair Graeme Chester, who tracked Lucilia’s progress, said Our ROMAC program could not operate without the support of our host families and we are particularly indebted to Robyn and Ken Dusting for hosting Lucilia and her guardians. The successful outcome for Lucilia could not have been achieved without their love and attention. We also relied heavily on the efforts of interpreters, Yulitta Owen and Lidia Soares, to ensure that communication was effective. Lucilia is returning home disease-free and with a good prognosis for the ultimate repair of her neck vertebrae. She is an intelligent young girl and through ROMAC’s help she now has the prospect of a long and bright future ahead of her. Our thanks to everyone who has contributed to make this happen. Read more about ROMAC at www.romac.org.au or www.romac.org.nz

23.01.2022 It’s not too late to form a small team of four to ten colleagues and participate in the Waterline Challenge for ROMAC. You can swim some laps, or walk some laps around a footy ground, or hike a distance, or ride a bike ... it’s your choice to do whatever you like, and to achieve whatever goal you decide. Ask friends and family to sponsor your team.... Donations are tax-deductible and you receive a tax-deductible receipt when you enter online. Pictured is ROMAC Central Region Chair Brett Dalton who organised a running challenge with a few of his friends in Adelaide this weekend. You can help too. To register your team go to www.waterlinechallenge.org or call Julian Day, President Rotary Club of Drummoyne on 0413 309 056.

22.01.2022 It was wonderful for ROMAC Chair, Harold Sharp, to be able to meet and spend some time with gorgeous five & half-month old ROMAC patient, Vincent and his mother Cosinta in Canberra on Wednesday. Vincent is recovering from surgery to correct a blockage between his oesophagus and his stomach (Oesophageal Atresia) which he underwent at the Centennial Hospital for Women and Children in August. Whilst he is making progress, Vincent has been having weekly hospital visits to monit...or his progress, and is likely to be in Australia for a few more months before he is well enough to return to his home in the Solomon Islands Vincent and his mother, Cosinta, are being hosted by D9710 ROMAC Chair, Sandra Goldstraw and her husband, Brian, and her team. As always, ROMAC is indebted to the many Rotary volunteers and medical staff who make changing young lives such as Vincent’s possible. ROMAC provides medical treatment for children from developing countries in the form of lifesaving and dignity restoring surgery not accessible to them in their home country. Read more about ROMAC at www.romac.org.au or www.romac.org.nz

22.01.2022 Ilandia is a 4-month-old baby girl from Timor-Leste diagnosed with a massive sacrococcygeal teratoma. The teratoma is a growth that, if not removed early, can change to cancer. Ilandia and her 35-year-old mother Anita flew to Canberra early this month for tests and surgery at the Centennial Women and Children's Wing of the Canberra Hospital where ROMAC has a memorandum of understanding with ACT Health to provide assistance to up to four children a year. The Rotary Club of Bel...connen are hosting Ilandia and Anita, helping with accommodation, transport and care for mother and baby, thanks to Judy Perry, Sandra Mahlberg and partner Brian. This week Dr Rajay Rampersad, the main Paediatric surgeon and Prof Croaker performed the delicate operation to remove the 1kg tumour from the tiny baby. All went well and Ilandia will be in hospital for 5-7 days recovering, then will stay with Sandra and Brian and Judy until she is fit to fly home to grow up a happy and healthy child. Read more about ROMAC at www.romac.org.au or www.romac.org.nz

22.01.2022 Mathilda is from Espiritu Santo in Vanuatu. She has Tetralogy of Fallot, which is a type of heart defect present at birth that can result in episodes of bluish colour of the skin and difficulty in breathing. It is the most common, complex heart defect. This condition can be successfully treated by open heart surgery with the outcome of the child being able to live a healthy life well into adulthood. Here is Mathilda sleeping peacefully in Starship Hospital’s Pediatric Intensi...ve Care Unit after her surgery last week. Her mother, Perpetua, and her host family, Steve Chaney and his wife from Manukau City Sunrise Rotary, are at her bedside. We are all hoping she progresses well. Read more about ROMAC at www.romac.org.au or www.romac.org.nz

22.01.2022 The first ROMAC E-Newsletter for the year is now out. It's full of great patient stories and news about what clubs and volunteers are doing to help children in need. Read all about it at https://mailchi.mp/romac./romac-e-newsletter-1-march-388179. Please forward to a friend to let them know what's happening.... Read more about ROMAC at www.romac.org.au or www.romac.org.nz

22.01.2022 Vale PDG Lew Pretorius OAM It is with much sadness we acknowledge the death last Saturday of PDG Lew Pretorius OAM, a past Board member and Assistant Operations Director of ROMAC (Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children). Lew was an enthusiastic supporter of ROMAC and he, along with his wife Jan, who is also deceased, worked tirelessly promoting the program throughout Tasmania for many years, culminating in patients being treated at the Calvary Hospitals in both Hobart and... Launceston. A much admired and compassionate Rotarian since 1982, and a friend to all who knew him, Lew’s service to the community through Rotary which earned him an Order of Australia medal, was truly inspirational. ROMAC provides medical treatment for children from developing countries in the form of lifesaving and dignity restoring surgery not accessible to them in their home country. Read more about ROMAC at www.romac.org.au or www.romac.org.nz. See more

21.01.2022 Thank you ROMAC and Chair Rob Wilkinson for your love and kindness during my surgery for brain cancer. I was admitted to Canberra Hospital where our ROMAC children receive life saving surgery. Now I’m recovering at North Shore Private Hospital in Sydney. There is no better family than the family of Rotary,

21.01.2022 On the weekend of April 20-21, Rotary District 9570 in Central Queensland held its annual conference at Agnes Water for members of the 49 clubs within it. ROMAC’s Northern Chair, Wayne Litherland, attended and was one of the flag bearers in the opening ceremony. Wayne was most surprised when the Calliope RotaKids, a branch of the Calliope Rotary Club especially for primary children, announced they would be starting a project to raise funds for ROMAC this term. The funds they ...raise will help children from Pacific Island countries who need specialist medical treatment they can’t receive in their home country. They will save lives and build communities. This project will give the school children an opportunity to make the world a better place, use their skills in real life and build confidence and leadership. We will let you know how they get on with their project as they go. Photo left to right: Wayne Litherland, ROMAC Northern District Chair; Alexandra Heron, Calliope State School Teacher and Rotary Club member; School Captains Clayton Gunn and Jessica Chapman. Read more about Calliope Rotary Club at https://www.facebook.com//pcb.187331563/1873315496046293/ and about ROMAC at www.romac.org.au or www.romac.org.nz

20.01.2022 Fifteen-year-old Mourine, accompanied by her mother Ekila, arrived in Sydney in January 2018 to receive treatment for a large mass growing on her neck and chest. Their home is a small island in the north of the Solomon Islands where they live a subsistence life without modern conveniences, such as electricity. The culture shock on arrival in Sydney, where they were accommodated at Ronald McDonald House, was enormous. A support team, with members from Rotary Districts 9675 a...nd 9685, has provided rostered support on a daily basis over the past nine months, taking them grocery shopping, showing them how to use our modern appliances, accompanying them to medical appointments and visiting when Mourine was in hospital, as well as taking them on outings and to Rotary meetings. To mark the final day of Mourine's treatment, her fantastic support team got together with Mourine and Ekila for a well-deserved celebration. The picture shows (left to right): Russ Evans, Carol Denison, Mourine, Jan Evans, Liane Corbett, Richard Woodburn, Ekila, Liz Rupp and Maureen West. With up to 50 patients a year being treated at our Australian and New Zealand Hospitals, ROMAC is always on the lookout for Rotarians wishing to join our willing band of helpers. If you have the time or the skills that you think could be useful to ROMAC, please contact your Rotary District ROMAC Chair or go to www.romac.org.au for more information.

19.01.2022 The ROMAC 2017/18 Annual Report is now available. See https://www.romac.org.au/about-romac/annual-report/ for a copy to understand how ROMAC has achieved its mission in the past year.

19.01.2022 Congratulations to the Rotary Club of Emerald, in the Central West Region. Here is President George handing over a cheque to ROMAC for $10,000. What an inspiration!

19.01.2022 Would you like to be part of the ROMAC Team? ROMAC fulfils an exciting and very satisfying volunteer role within Rotary. It offers a unique chance to seriously help those who are disadvantaged. The reward received after being part of a team that repairs a child’s broken life and sees them return home fit and well, is unbelievable. The contact, humility and gratification are astonishing. It is perhaps why many join and remain in Rotary. Right now ROMAC is in the process of ful...filling its orderly succession plan. The regular introduction of new people and fresh ideas ensures ROMAC continues its wonderful program. A program which, one way or another, has so far saved the lives of 500 children. ROMAC is looking for Rotarians in the mould of those who have gone before; Rotarians who are self-motivated, committed and dedicated. All positions are for a term of four years which commence after the ROMAC AGM in Hobart on Friday 14th September 2018. Positions are available: 1. ROMAC Deputy Chair 2. ROMAC Operations Secretary 3. ROMAC Eastern Region Chair available to a Rotarian residing within ROMAC’s Eastern Region (RI Districts 9670; 9675; 9685; 9700; 9710). Interested? Check out each position at https://www.romac.org.au/about-ro/team-positions-available/ and email your application to the ROMAC Chair, Rob Wilkinson at [email protected].

18.01.2022 On 18 November, the Rotary Club of Dapto walked from Tallawarra to the Recreation Park in Lakeside Drive for the Waterline Challenge, an Australia-wide event designed to raise money to assist those who face adversity. The walk around the lake was a wonderful morning of fellowship and teamwork. The team finished the morning by having a BBQ in the park. The Club chose to walk for ROMAC and raised $2260 for sick children across the Pacific - a great effort by club members and International Director, Margaret Uitterlinden. Read more about ROMAC at www.romac.org.au or www.romac.org.nz

18.01.2022 Rotary District Governor in Sydney, Sue Hayward, has presented Paul Harris Fellow recognition to Rosie Lotawa, a remarkable women who was a ROMAC surgery patient when she was a child. Since then, Rosie has shared her ROMAC story near and far, seeking financial support for current ROMAC patients. We all thank Rosie for her tireless work as an ambassador for ROMAC, and we thank District Governor Sue for presenting this special recognition award.

18.01.2022 An informal luncheon in Mooney Mooney yesterday created an ideal opportunity for ROMAC Chair, Harold Sharp, to personally thank Immediate Past Chair, Rob Wilkinson, for his significant contribution to ROMAC over many years, and particularly for his leadership during the past three years in his role as Chairman. Harold presented Rob with a desk clock on behalf of the ROMAC Board in appreciation of his ongoing dedication and commitment to the organisation. ROMAC provides medica...l treatment for children from developing countries in the form of lifesaving and dignity restoring surgery not accessible to them in their home country. Read more about ROMAC at www.romac.org.au or www.romac.org.nz

17.01.2022 ROMAC patients Mathilda and Henry are going home to Santo, via Port Vila today. Here they are with their mothers awaiting an escort to take them to the plane gate at Auckland Airport. What a great day for ROMAC! Two more children treated and going home to live happy and healthy lives. Photo (left to right): Elaine Wogan (host Manakau City Rotary Club), Pepetua with daughter Mathilda (who has gone to sleep), Barbara Watt (ROMAC) with Henry, Agnis (his mother) and Moira McGive...rn (ROMAC). Read more about ROMAC at www.romac.org.au or www.romac.org.nz

17.01.2022 On Friday evening, 16 March, 160 guests from throughout Australia and New Zealand gathered at NSW Parliament House in Sydney to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of ROMAC and its achievement of providing life saving and life enhancing surgery to over 500 children from island communities of the Southwest Pacific. Highlights of the night included a wonderful welcome speech from ROMAC Chair Rob Wilkinson, an inspirational presentation from Rotary International President Ian Riseley..., a warm and generous speech from our Parliamentary Host Rotarian Leslie Williams MP, and a highly entertaining keynote address from the CEO of the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network Dr Michael Brydon. Another highlight of the evening was an interview with a former ROMAC patient Rosie Lotawa. Pictured left to right are ROMAC Chair Rob Wilkinson, RI President Ian Riseley, Leslie Williams MP, and Dr Michael Brydon. Please support the work of ROMAC. 100% of your contribution supports our patients. Follow this link for more information. https://www.romac.org.au/donate/

16.01.2022 Read all about ROMAC’s latest news in the August edition of our E-Newsletter. It includes patient stories and statistics, a report on recent training and news about club and other activities. You can also subscribe to our regular newsletter by clicking the subscribe button link. https://mailchi.mp/5a0ef/romac-e-newsletter-3-august-261083

14.01.2022 https://mailchi.mp/31e2174/romac-e-newsletter-1-april-2018

13.01.2022 Great support from Julian Lesser MP

13.01.2022 The Board of ROMAC is pleased to present the 2018-19 Annual report from the ROMAC Annual General Meeting in Christchurch New Zealand on Friday. It contains the Chair's report, Treasurer's financial report and reports from other Board members and ROMAC team leaders. See https://www.romac.org.au/about-romac/annual-report/ for the 2018-19 report and past reports.

13.01.2022 Master of ceremonies and Paul Harris Fellow Stephen Sim opens proceedings at the official launch of the 2018 Waterline Challenge. ROMAC is a beneficiary of this national fundraising initiative organised by Julian Day, President of the Rotary Club of Drummoyne. Would you like to help? If you live anywhere in Australia you can participate. To register, go to www.waterlinechallenge.org or call Julian Day on 0413 309 056 for more information.

12.01.2022 ROMAC's October E-Newsletter is now out. For the latest news, features, patient stories and action, see: http://mailchi.mp/3e682/romac-e-newsletter-4-october-297195. Sign up for the Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children (ROMAC) Friends email list. Our e-Newsletter will be emailed to you 4-6 times per year. It covers news, patient stories, updates and statistics, as well as key events and activities. You may also receive special invitations and notifications. Go to http://eepurl.com/dqNi-b to sign up.

12.01.2022 Here's our June E-Newsletter for all the latest ROMAC news: https://mailchi.mp/66cdb75e8/romac-e-newsletter-2-june-2018. Sign up to our mailing list to ensure you always get a copy: http://eepurl.com/dqNi-b

12.01.2022 The ROMAC December E-Newsletter is out now. It is a bumper edition with lots of patient stories and news about supporters and friends. Read now at http://mailchi.mp/roma/romac-e-newsletter-5-december-336383. You can forward to a friend using the link at the end. You can subscribe to future editions here http://eepurl.com/dqNi-b.

12.01.2022 Here’s a heart-warming ABC story about two Solomon Islands children treated by ROMAC in Adelaide: https://www.abc.net.au//solomon-islands-children-/11259066 Read more about ROMAC at www.romac.org.au or www.romac.org.nz

11.01.2022 ROMAC congratulates Professor Andrew Heggie who was recently recognised with an AO (Order of Australia) in the Queen’s Birthday honours list for his dedication and immense skill, and the loving care he shows to the children he treats. As Head of The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne’s Oral and Maxillofacial Surgical Department, Prof. Heggie has supervised and operated on a number of ROMAC patients. Gregory is a ROMAC patient treated by Professor Heggie in 2011. Greg’s skul...l stopped growing but his brain and internal organs continued to grow and protruded through his eye socket. Prof. Heggie cut his skull and fitted a cage to Greg’s head. Then his Dad had to turn a knob a few millimetres a day to expand his skull. Thanks to Prof. Heggie AO, Greg is now a normal young man. The Award is a well-deserved reward for a great Australian. Like this post to show your appreciation. Read more about ROMAC at www.romac.org.au or www.romac.org.nz.

11.01.2022 DR LAURENCE RODDICK OAM Congratulations to ROMAC Medical Director, Dr Larry Roddick, on receiving an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in today’s Queen’s Birthday honours for service to paediatric medicine. ROMAC is also delighted to acknowledge an OAM to long-term supporter and ROMAC volunteer, Phillip Issacs, for services to the community through a range of roles.... ROMAC provides medical treatment for children from developing countries in the form of lifesaving and dignity restoring surgery not accessible to them in their home country. Read more about ROMAC at www.romac.org.au or www.romac.org.nz

11.01.2022 ROMAC Northern Region meets again.

10.01.2022 Two-month old Vincent is the latest child scheduled to receive surgery in Australia thanks to ROMAC Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children. Arriving on Tuesday (2nd July) from the Solomon Islands, Vincent has a blockage between his oesophagus and his stomach and is being fed through a catheter in his stomach. He is currently undernourished and will undergo surgery at the Centennial Hospital for Women and Children in Canberra in a couple of weeks when he is strong enough. ROMAC provides medical treatment for children from developing countries in the form of lifesaving and dignity restoring surgery not accessible to them in their home country. Vincent, and his mother, Cosinta, are sponsored by the Rotary Club of Gungahlin. Read more about ROMAC at www.romac.org.au or www.romac.org.nz.

09.01.2022 Four-year-old Henry is from the island of Ambrae in Vanuatu. Dr John Stirling, a cardiologist from Starship Children’s Hospital who regularly visits and holds clinics in Vanuatu, discovered he had a heart murmur. Henry was referred to ROMAC for assistance with corrective treatment. Henry was assessed in Starship’s Heart Clinic during the week following his arrival and was diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot with the right ventricular outflow tract from the heart somewhat obstr...ucted. The corrective procedure generally involves increasing the size of the pulmonary valve and pulmonary arteries and repairing the ventricular septal defect. In preparation for surgery, Henry has had some dental work and completed all of his pre-operative tests. He is scheduled to have his operation on a routine priority in the next ten days and is expected to make a full recovery. The Rotary Club of West Harbour is hosting Henry and his mother Agnis during their stay in Auckland and looking after them. They are expected to return to Vanuatu in early November. Read more about ROMAC at www.romac.org.au.

09.01.2022 The June issue of ROMAC's E-Newsletter is now out. It contains all the latest news, patient stories, features and updates. Read it now, forward to friends and keep in touch: https://mailchi.mp/roma/romac-e-newsletter-2-june-19-438835.

07.01.2022 In our upcoming ROMAC June E-News we feature the story of Rosalia from Fiji. For a sneak preview, read about how Christchurch charities are supporting Rosalia at https://www.tvnz.co.nz//christchurch-charities-rally-aroun

07.01.2022 Mourine arrived from the Solomon Islands earlier this year with a very large benign tumour on her neck. After nearly six months of chemotherapy to stop the growth of the tumour, surgeons at the Sydney Children's Hospital at Randwick operated for nine hours to successfully remove it. While recovering from surgery, Mourine celebrated her 15th birthday. The dedicated Rotary members of the Sydney ROMAC team who have been caring for Mourine, and her mother Ekila, made sure it was... celebrated in style. Photo left to right: Liane Corbett, Liz Rupp, Jan Evans, Ekila, Russ Evans with Mourine. Read more about ROMAC at www.romac.org.au

07.01.2022 Mathilda is doing well after her heart surgery and is expected to be discharged from Starship Hospital’s Pediatric Intensive Care Unit soon. She will go to Ronald McDonald House for convalescence and follow up treatment. Read more about ROMAC at www.romac.org.au or www.romac.org.nz

06.01.2022 A MESSAGE FROM ROMAC CHAIR ROB WILKINSON As we approach the Festive Season, we pause and reflect on the past year and the ROMAC children who have received life saving and life changing surgery. It is a real joy that they have returned to their homes, happy and healthy. On behalf of the ROMAC Board, I extend our deepest thanks to the doctors, nurses, community volunteers and Rotary volunteers who have given generously of their time and expertise throughout 2018. Your support i...s the key to our success, as we work together to give vulnerable children a better future. Also, thank you to everyone who has made a cash donation to help meet expenses. On average, the cost of treating each child is $25,000.00, so every dollar donated by individuals and Rotary clubs helps our work. Merry Christmas, and thank you one and all. In appreciation, Rob Wilkinson Chair - ROMAC Read more about ROMAC at www.romac.org.au and www.romac.org.nz

06.01.2022 At the recent District 9780 Conference, the ROMAC team had a stand to promote the ROMAC cause to Rotary club members attending. On the ROMAC stand was Gaynor Schols D9780 ROMAC Chair, committee member Christine O'Connor and Southern Region Chair Jill Oliver. Jane Preston of the Rotary Club of Warrnambool Daybreak was the winner of the lucky draw gift basket.... A win for everyone!

05.01.2022 It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas . And nothing gets the festive juices running quite like a Carols evening, especially when ROMAC is a beneficiary of funds raised! This evening Chairman, Harold Sharp, had the great pleasure of representing ROMAC at Rotary's Carols in the Common - an annual event run by the Rotary Clubs of North Ryde and Macquarie Park (from District 9685) - along with 8,000 plus local residents. Sincere thanks go to the members of North Ryde and M...acquarie Park clubs - including Past ROMAC Chair, Rob Wilkinson (a member of RC North Ryde) - for their ongoing support of ROMAC. ROMAC provides medical treatment for children from developing countries in the form of lifesaving and dignity restoring surgery not accessible to them in their home country. Read more about ROMAC at www.romac.org.au or www.romac.org.nz Photo: ROMAC Chair, Harold Sharp with Carols in the Common organiser, Roseanna Gallo from RC Macquarie Park (D9685)

05.01.2022 Four-month-old baby Ilandia, from Timor-Leste, needed urgent treatment for a massive growth on the base of her spine called a sacrococcygeal teratoma. ROMAC picked up her case and began working with doctors and hospitals to arrange her surgery. Ilandia and her mother Anita arrived in Canberra yesterday evening. It was a long day for them both, leaving Timor-Leste early in the day, transiting through Darwin (thanks to Rod Meyers!) and through Sydney. D9685 ROMAC team member Li...z Rupp (pictured) met mother and child on their arrival in Sydney and ensured that they safely boarded the flight to Canberra. On arrival in Canberra, they were met by D9710 Chair Sandra Mahlberg and the wife of the Timor-Leste Ambassador, Ana Guterres. As quickly as possible, Ilandia will be checked into The Canberra Hospital for her life-saving procedure. Here’s hoping all goes well and she makes a speedy recovery. Read more about ROMAC at www.romac.org.au or www.romac.org.nz

05.01.2022 Read all the latest news about ROMAC in our September E-Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/romac./e-newsletter-3-september-facebook

05.01.2022 Remember our post in April about the RotaKids at Calliope State School who planned to raise funds for ROMAC? Here’s what they did! Well done RotaKids. Your efforts will help treat children from Oceania who need lifesaving or dignity-restoring surgery they can’t get in their own country.

04.01.2022 Congratulations to Jill Oliver who has joined ROMAC as the Southern Region Chair. Jill joined Rotary in 2011 as a member of the Alfredton Rotary Satellite club and in 2013 was Charter President to Rotary Club of Alfredton. She has held various positions within the club including Foundation, Secretary, Fundraising, Treasurer and Special projects. Jill most recently has been the owner/manager of a private Art Gallery and Function centre in Ballarat.... You can read more information about Jill on her team page on the ROMAC website and you can also contact her there. See https://www.romac.org.au/about-romac/our-team/jill-oliver/.

04.01.2022 ROMAC TRIVIA NIGHT A GREAT SUCCESS On Sat 22nd May the Southern Region held a very successful trivia evening at the Masonic Lodge, Barkley St, Ballarat, raising over $10,000. Despite a chilly night most of our guests came ‘dressed to impress’ and enjoyed a fun evening hosted by quiz master John Mitchell and Lindsay Fowler.... Guests were treated to a charcuterie platter on arrival followed by a sumptuous supper. We were donated over $8000 worth of prizes for the raffle, silent auction and major auction items. Sincere thanks go to ROMAC Southern Region Chair, Jill Oliver and her team, for organising the event. ROMAC provides medical treatment for children from developing countries in the form of lifesaving and dignity restoring surgery not accessible to them in their home country. Read more about ROMAC at www.romac.org.au or www.romac.org.nz

04.01.2022 Well done to the Rotary Club of Alfredton (D9780) for raising awareness - and some vital funds ($2,060.00) - by holding a Bunnings' BBQ today in support of ROMAC. A great effort! Southern Regional Chair for ROMAC, Jill Oliver, is assisted by President Elect David Sanders (on left) and new member, Malcolm Roberts. ROMAC provides medical treatment for children from developing countries in the form of lifesaving and dignity restoring surgery not accessible to them in their h...ome country. Read more about ROMAC at www.romac.org.au or www.romac.org.nz

04.01.2022 Canberra Gala Ball raises $20,000 for ROMAC Eight months ago, a small committee consisting of 7 Rotarians from 4 Canberra Rotary clubs, including ROMAC District Chair Sandra Mahlberg, decided to hold a Gala Ball on 19 May 2018 to celebrate 30 years of ROMAC in Australia and New Zealand, They thought the event would also raise much needed funds for children’s treatment and share the ROMAC story. Despite some anxiety that verbal promises to attend would not result in ticket sa...les, the committee was thrilled to have 163 people on the night to make it a great success with good entertainment, food and wine and company. The 9-piece band called Smooth Ops played a variety of modern and old style music. The MC was Chris Jocelyne. ROMAC Chair Rob Wilkinson explained ROMAC and set the scene for former patient Rosie Lotawa to tell her life story and the miracle ROMAC provided to her. There was a live auction and a silent auction, together with a raffle and a lucky seat at the end of the evening. A PowerPoint presentation during the evening highlighted the involvement of 20 children, their families, carer families and Rotary Clubs in Canberra over the past 12 years. Many carer families were present, still supporting ROMAC and enjoying seeing photos of their ROMAC children on the screen. Canberra Hospital had a table of operating theatre staff. Prof David Croaker and his wife Helen attended. Prof Croaker has operated on most of the ROMAC children in Canberra. Liz Chatham, Director of the Women's and Children's Hospital, and her husband also attended. Liz has been very supportive of ROMAC since 2010. Thanks to Sandra and the committee’s hard work, the event raised about $20,000. Since each ROMAC patient costs about $25,000 to treat and support, they have ensured the future of another child. Well done Canberra. Pictured (left to right): Committee members Viola, Yvonne, Robert and Sandra preparing for the Ball. Former ROMAC Patient and Ambassador Rosie Lotawa with Chair Rob Wilkinson.

04.01.2022 ROMAC Central Region Chair Brett Dalton (R), with singer Mark Holden (L) following the opening night of Mark Holden's "Touchdown Tour" Concert in Mt Gambier. Mark is doing a tour of towns through South Australia. He is donating proceeds of the concerts to ROMAC.

03.01.2022 Mourine was a 14-year-old girl from the remote island of Vella Lavella in the Solomon Islands when she was referred to ROMAC for a large, rapidly-growing mass on her neck. Mourine and her mother Ekila arrived at Sydney Children's Hospital in Randwick mid-January 2018. Her doctors diagnosed her mass as a benign Desmoid tumour, which grows in connective tissue. Initially, they thought they would surgically remove it, but then they decided to shrink it to a more manageable size ...with several rounds of chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. This meant Mourine had to stay longer in Australia so she was enrolled at the Sydney Children's Hospital School. At first, Mourine was a very reluctant student because English was her second language and she had not been to school for 3 years due to the tumour and the destruction of her school in an earthquake. However, the dedicated teachers at the Hospital School quickly won her over and she soon became enthusiastic. Her grades in numeracy and English steadily improved and she excelled in art and music. After nearly six months of chemotherapy to stop the growth of the tumour, surgeons at the Sydney Children's Hospital at Randwick operated for nine hours to successfully remove it. While recovering from surgery, Mourine celebrated her 15th birthday, surrounded by family and the ROMAC friends who have supported her throughout the past 8 months. She is now having radiation therapy to ensure the tumour is all gone but her prognosis is good and hopefully, she will be going home soon. Read more about ROMAC at www.romac.org.au

03.01.2022 April 3 marked the return home to Vanuatu of two ROMAC patients after their treatment in New Zealand over the past 3 months. Twenty-two-month-old Mathilda was treated for a heart condition and sixteen-year-old Jerry for a tumour. Everybody involved was delighted to see how Mathilda blossomed following her surgery. Mathilda and her mother Pepetua were ably looked after by Elaine Wogan (from Manukau Sunrise) and Lorraine Bartlett (from Auckland Harbourside) who helped when Elai...ne was not available. Mathilda and Pepetua had far to travel home. Firstly, they flew to Port Vila on the island of Espirito Santo, then to the island of Vanua Lava, finally sailing home to Ureparapara Island. Jerry showed a remarkable surge in energy and engagement once he moved from hospital to Ronald McDonald House and then to his discharge home with his mother Mary. Jerry and Mary were looked after by Eric Horne (from Henderson) and Geoff Dainty (from New Lynn). Photo (courtesy of Bill Horne) Left to right: Moira McGivern (ROMAC NZ Committee), Eric Horne, Mary, Jerry, Barbara Watt (ROMAC Rotary Club Liaison), Pepetua and Mathilda. Read more about ROMAC at www.romac.org.au or www.romac.org.nz

03.01.2022 ROMAC Northern Chair Wayne Litherland congratulates DGN Adele Hughes (Dist 9570) on becoming ROMAC representative for her year class of upcoming governors.

03.01.2022 Meet Idado. This delightful little boy from Timor Leste is the latest ROMAC success story, following cranial facial surgery at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Adelaide. ROMAC Central Region Chair Brett Dalton reports that Idado is recovering swiftly from his surgical procedure. Wonderful news! For more information about ROMAC, please visit www.romac.org.au or www.romac.org.nz

03.01.2022 As we approach June 30, and the end of the Australian financial year, many Australians make tax deductible donations to worthwhile charities. ROMAC saves and changes the lives of seriously ill children from the island communities of the Southwest Pacific. Without our help they would not survive. Will you make a donation to ROMAC today? All donations of $2.00 or more are tax deductible for Australian tax payers. Here is the link for you to help ROMAC help the children.... https://www.romac.org.au/donate Thank you for caring.

03.01.2022 Message from ROMAC Chair, Harold Sharp. On behalf of the Board of ROMAC (Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children) I sincerely thank all our volunteers and financial supporters for your ongoing commitment to ROMAC during the past year. Without the dedication of the doctors, nurses, community volunteers and Rotary volunteers who have given freely of their time and expertise, and the financial support of our donors we would not be able to change the lives of young children like... young Rui from Timore Leste (pictured) who was 12 years old when he was operated on for a heart condition in 2017. We wish you all a wonderful Festive Season and a happy and healthy year in 2020. ROMAC provides medical treatment for children from developing countries in the form of lifesaving and dignity restoring surgery not accessible to them in their home country. Read more about ROMAC at www.romac.org.au or www.romac.org.nz

02.01.2022 Another family helped by ROMAC.

01.01.2022 Every Rotary club and Rotaract club across Australia is invited to enter teams in the 2018 Waterline Challenge which will be held 12-18 November. Over 44 clubs have entered so far. This initiative will raise significant funds for ROMAC to help more children from island communities of the Southwest Pacific receive life-saving and dignity restoring surgery. Waterline Challenge is a national event. Teams of up to 10 people can walk, run, cycle, paddle, row, swim, skate, horse r...ide, windsurf, anywhere they choose. Participants can be as creative as they like! You choose how you do it, how far you go, when you do it, and money you raise will help ROMAC. Each person is asked to raise a minimum of $200, so a team of 10 can bring in a minimum of $2,000 between them. Donations are tax-deductible and you receive a tax-deductible receipt when you enter online. Each Rotary club or Rotaract club nominates a Waterline Challenge Champion to organise their own club team and invite other local community groups in their area to organise teams too. It’s good for fellowship and good for ROMAC. It is heartening to see Rotary clubs in drought affected regions, where money is tight, forming teams to participate and help save the lives of ROMAC children. Pictured is ROMAC Central Region Chair Brett Dalton who has organised a Rotary club jogging team. To register your Rotary club or Rotaract club go to www.waterlinechallenge.org or call Julian Day, President Rotary Club of Drummoyne on 0413 309 056.

01.01.2022 Rotary District 9640 recently held its annual conference and raised money for ROMAC selling raffle tickets. The main prizes were a bike donated by the Rotary wheelchair project and a beautiful cushion made by Kerrie Brown. Kerry is the wife of 9640 District Governor Darrell Brown and her project for the year of his term is to raise money for ROMAC. She has done a magnificent job and was presented with a certificate of appreciation by Hilda Reaburn, ROMAC 9640 Chair, during ...the conference. The bike was won by nine-year-old Ethan Cantos at the GC100 charity bike ride and the cushion was won by local Rotarian Tony Lines. Picture 1: Hilda Reaburn, Carol Allan and Phil Rosenberg selling raffle tickets at the Conference. Picture 2: Ethan Cantos with his new bike. Picture 3: Hilda Reaburn presenting Kerrie Brown with her certificate, accompanied by Dr Josh Francis and David Bonifant.