We welcome back Maggie Alexander to produce this E-Newsletter after a 4-year absence and extend our many thanks to retiring editor, PDG Gina Growden, for her tireless efforts, not only with this newsletter, but with all the many other tasks she has undertaken since 2019.

Life continues to be exciting and hectic for everyone associated with ROMAC. In the last 3 months, we have brought in 4 new patients, made a presentation at the Rotary Zone 8 Conference in Canberra and conducted a large planning workshop in Brisbane. The Brisbane workshop included a professional development session and workshop for our doctors from around Oceania. Our Medical Director provides more detail below. There was also a special two day workshop for our key ROMAC office bearers and volunteers.

Our newsletter contains patient updates from our Deputy Chair and our Canberra Regional Chair on the progress of 4 patients Melenaite, William, Vinna and Jasminah and I am pleased to say the progress has been positive and encouraging. Our Treasurer writes about our information booth and presentation in Canberra at the Zone 8 Conference, which showcased our work in ROMAC.

We have commenced a process to update our strategic plan, by laws, referral process, risk matrix and our communications and evaluation plans and Brisbane provided us with an excellent opportunity to make a significant start on these tasks.

An important outcome of our meetings in Brisbane was that, with our new committee structures and all the tasks we are trying to undertake, we desperately need more volunteers to join our ranks at the District, Regional and National levels. We are specifically looking for Rotarians or Rotaractors with skills in areas like fundraising, marketing, communications, producing newsletters and maintaining databases, liaising with Government and Hospitals, paediatrics, finance, recruiting, hosting to join our committees. ROMAC is a wonderfully rewarding project to be involved with and appeals to all ages so give it some consideration and let us know how you would like to help by emailing me at chair@romac.org.au.

As 2022 comes to an end, it is a great time to reflect on the year and to thank the many people who have helped and supported ROMAC over the last twelve months. We are most fortunate to have come through the pandemic relatively unscathed and with the resources and enthusiasm to again embark on providing life-saving / life changing treatment to children from our neighbouring countries. 

I would specifically like to thank all our hard-working ROMAC volunteers for all their efforts and the Rotary Clubs, Rotarians and friends who have continued to support us.

All the best to you all for the festive season and for the New Year.


Ian D'Arcy Walsh