ROMAC is the acronym for “Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children” and is a combined Australia and New Zealand Multi District Rotary initiative. ROMAC has been in operation for over 25 years.

Mission Statement.To provide specialist treatment for children, from developing countries, in the form of life saving and/or dignity restoring surgery not accessible to them in their home country. ROMAC was commenced out of the actions of a single Rotarian, Barrie Cooper OAM in March 1988, when as a member of the Rotary Club of Kangaroo Flat in Victoria, visited Lambasa in Fiji with a group of Australian surgeons. They found the child mortality rate as high as 25% in some places and quickly identified that lack of medical and surgical facilities and skills for children of the island nations, was a major cause. Rotary faced the challenge to assist an 18-year-old Fijian girl whose right leg was threatened if immediate surgery was not performed. During the next four years, eight children were brought to Australia by the Rotary Club of Kangaroo Flat for major, often lifesaving surgery.  Soon 20 Rotary clubs were caught up in the success of each case and assisted in various ways. ROMAC quickly went about harnessing assistance from medical experts, hospitals, nurses, physiotherapists, pathology and radiology services, airlines, sponsors and other supporters. ROMAC was making a difference, ROMAC was Giving Life to children who had no hope! Today ROMAC is Giving Life to around 50 children every year – we are making a huge difference in the lives of these small Island Countries. ROMAC is able to provide Life Giving surgery to children and babies of our nearest Island neighbors because of the support and generosity of Rotarians and Rotary Clubs throughout the Rotary Districts of Australia and New Zealand.

District is actually hosting a very young 2 year old girl and her Mother for specialist eye surgery which takes place on Tuesday of this week. The little un , called Shania, arrived from the  Solomon Islands last Monday evening, and since then has undergone various medical tests because beside optical problems, she also has a small hole in her heart.  Cardiac tests have nowbeen completed and the Cardiac Consultant has given the go ahead for her eye operation, and there is the additional possibility that the hole may grow over the heart and no surgery to repair would be required.. Re her eyes, they have been examined by an Ophthalmic Consultant, Dr John Ruddle, and he will be operating on her on Tuesday morning – 1st Sept. – He will basically ‘laser’ away various pigmentation at the rear of her eyes and also the need for special glasses which she will have to use afterwards and when she and Mum return home. A classic case of the benefit of Vaccinations, as it is believed these problems have arisen in Shania, because  during her pregnancy, her mother Jennifer. contracted Rubella. It’s not known how long Shania and mother will be over here, but it isn’t expected to be too long.  Both Dr. Ruddle and the  Consultant Cariologist plus some Optical Companies are supplying all the services and equipment on a Pro Bono basis.. Pete (L).

As you will see on the Flyer, the Club are holding another International Evening on Thursday 3rd September 2015, and again at Murray Gardens Retirement Village.
The evening will have as its keynote Speaker, Mr. Tim Fischer who will be talking about the life and works of General Sir John Monash. Tim has recently had published a book about John Monash’s’ life and works, and that will also be available at the end of the evening when Tim will do a book signing for guests attending the function. From various conversations I have had with Tim, John Monash certainly was a brilliant tactician during  World War 1. It should be a wonderful evening.
The evening is being held as a Fundraising event, and all profits being donated to various Rotary charities. Mr. Fisher is appearing ‘pro bono’ and donating his fee to charity. The other groups to benefit will be ROMAC, Wheelchairs for Kids – a WA Organisation, which manufacturers purpose made wheelchairs for children. They are manufactured here in Australia, and exported mainly to African countries where youngsters have lost lower limbs through landmine explosions etc. We have arranged for them to allow Albury based school children to hold ‘wheelchair’ races at Albury Athletics track on the morning of the 3rd if schools will allow. They will then be holding a Wheelchair Racing session out at St. Pauls College in the afternoon duringtheir Sports session, hopefully for a gold coin donation.
The other Speaker, Vici Funnell, who is the President of Operation Cleft. Originated by RC of Boxhill. They have developed a partnership through the Australian Royal College of Surgeons in the bringing across to Australia, Doctors/Surgeons from Bangladesh to be trained in specialising in the treatment of Cleft Palates in children, and then returning to Bangladesh to perform the operations in their own country. They also are doing someamazing work over there.