Australian Doctors International
Dr Peter Macdonald - Chair and Founder,
Australian Doctors International
Our guest speaker, Dr Peter Macdonald OAM was introduced by Joint Pres Dr Diana Hart, and she outlined her contact both professionally from when Peter arrived in Australia from UK in 1972 and subsequently through Rotary in the early stages of his setting up of Australian Doctors International (ADI) – a non-profit, non-government healthcare and development aid organisation.
While Peter’s talk focused on ADI, he has over 40 years of experience in general practice and is an accomplished politician. NSW State member for Manly (1991-1999), Director of Plan International (1999-2004) and Mayor of Manly (2004- 2008).
Peter founded ADI in 2000. The first doctor was deployed overseas to PNG in May 2001 and over the years has sent 173 doctors on missions there. Peter has visited PNG on 28 occasions. Naturally while some of the work is clinical (like Médecins Sans Frontières) with rural and remote health however, ADI is also a development organisation. (Peter also worked with Médecins Sans Frontières in Iran in 1999 and with Timor Aid in 2000).
ADI focuses its operations in the Western Province of PNG, which is located on the border with West Papua, consists of raging rivers, steep mountain ranges up to 8,000m, vast floodplains and dense jungle. New Ireland Province, which is located off the mainland in the far northeast of PNG, consists of many isolated islands separated by rough seas. It can take weeks to complete a patrol in places such as the Star Mountains and Awaba River region in Western Province or Konoagil (otherwise known as The Last Corner by locals) in New Ireland Province.
ADI specialises in Integrated Health Patrols and health in-services, deploying volunteer doctors and health managers to work in partnership with local government, private companies, and faith-based health providers to deliver unique value through the three-way combination:
1) clinical services and public health education delivered to remote and rural populations,
2) patrol-based training that exposes health care workers to practical up-skilling opportunities and
3) opportunity
for those health care workers to deepen and/or refresh their clinical skills in
a niche topic area previously identified as lacking
HQ is in the BUPA building in Seaforth and over the years it has grown not only in size, but also in complexity, reputation, and its activities.
The incidence of malaria in these is the highest in the Western pacific. The introduction of bed nets into theses remote villages was done by barter and Peter brought along several ceremonial spears to the meeting which were traded in many villages.
 |
| Spears being passes around the audience |
ADI operational budget was $1million4 years ago and now is $6million. Peter said the geopolitical importance of ADI and its strong relevance to PNG health was fully recognised by Australian government overseas agencies.
We all greatly appreciated Peter explaining us the ADI story - one of challenges of isolation, inaccessibility of terrain, and lack of resources and infrastructure however providing both healthcare and well-being to the small and remote communities with volunteer doctors and medical staff and locally trained workers.Peter explained that he didn’t come to ask for financial support but if any person can help it naturally would be appreciated.
 |
| Doctor Peter Macdonald accepting the certificate of appreciation from PP Michael Mead |
Members survey Follow on
Thanks to the 14 members who contributed at special meeting held at Totem on Tues Sept 29. A working group (Roger, Diana, Heather & Rick) has been established to put the outcomes into practice.
Many of the suggestions are summarised in a document which will be circulated to members in the near future
It's in the Bag
Balgowlah Rotary Club is again collecting this yaer for "It's in the Bag" - a joint project with Share the Dignity. This has been nominated as our Domestic Violence Project that is being championed by DG Christine Owen. We are collecting essential and luxury items for women and children fleeing from domestic violence.
Our quest is to fill these handbags and similar sized bags/backpacks (approx A4 size) with these goods that will be delivered in late October this year for the Christmas period, through local Women's Shelters.
In early November a group of volunteers are required to help and fill the bags. ( possibly Nov 3 daytime). Contact Sue Terry for further details.
--ooOOoo--
Former club member Carlo Bongarzoni was visited by President Roger last week and he greatly appreciated the card signed by members who were in the club at the same time.
Our Next Meeting:
Welcome Christine Owen - our new District Governor.
Our special guest is DG Christine who will give a special address the club.
Dinner Meeting in the Wine Room,
Balgowlah RSL, 30/38 Ethel St, Seaforth
At 6 for 6:30pm; Tuesday 19 September 2023
Two course meal* with Tea/coffee - $45pp
Booking Essential
Please pay EFT:
Rotary Club of Balgowlah
BSB 633 000
Account 162 675 086
with Your Last name as the message
We must have final numbers by Friday 15th September 2023
*Special meal requests - Notify Tony Hill
0411 670 341
We look forward to "Creating Hope in the World" with DG Christine, and to supporting her with her goals for the year particularly the project "Say No to Domestic Violence".
Forward Planning:
.jpg)
Just a thought:
Comments
Post a Comment