Club member Peter Garnett recently gave a moving presentation on ROMAC – Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children, a cause he has been passionately involved with for more than a decade.
Run entirely by volunteers, ROMAC brings children from across Oceania to Australia and New Zealand for life-saving or dignity-restoring treatment that is unavailable in their home countries. Volunteers coordinate every aspect of each child’s journey, including medical care, travel, accommodation and support for their accompanying parent. More than 570 children have now received treatment through the programme, many undergoing surgery at Starship Children’s Hospital.
Through a series of remarkable patient stories, Peter showed the profound difference ROMAC has made, helping children recover from serious heart conditions, burns, tumours, injuries and congenital abnormalities. He also spoke candidly about the heartbreaking occasions when surgery is not possible, reminding us of the emotional highs and lows faced by everyone involved. Peter thanked North Shore Rotary and its former clubs for their longstanding support through hosting, volunteering and donations. His presentation left us with a powerful reminder that ROMAC’s work is ultimately “about the kids,” giving them hope, restoring dignity and, wherever possible, the chance of a healthier future.
