Mum Lisa Kassau had never left her village on a tiny volcanic island in Vanuatu.
But that was before a life-changing opportunity allowed her to fly to Australia to help her children walk.
Siblings Anis, 13, and Melanie, 3, were both born with severe structural talipes, often called clubfoot.
The condition, which can run in families, had been uncorrected in the pair for so long that their feet were turned backwards.
It affects one in 1,000 babies born in Australia.
Seven months of donated physiotherapy and surgeries in Canberra have allowed the pair to walk.
"I live in my fields a long way away [and there's] no treatment," she said about the island of Tanna.
Ms Kassau now marvels at her children as they walk and play; the trio is thankful as they prepare to fly home.
"I can live now," she said.
Within 24 hours of arriving in Australia, senior physiotherapist with Canberra Health Services Melanie Ryan had applied stretching and put the children in plaster up to their thighs. That plaster was then changed once or twice a week.
"Melanie certainly engaged with us beautifully and would play games, but as soon as we'd go to put a plaster on, she well and truly got cross with us and told us off," Ms Ryan said about her three-year-old patient.
"There were a couple of occasions where we thought she was being quite cheeky and saying some tough stuff to us. The mum refused to tell us what she was saying, her older brother also refused [but] he was very much chuckling."
Ms Ryan worked with physiotherapist Dan Myyrylainen and Dr Blaise Wardle, who performed surgeries on the siblings.
She said a moment she would always remember was when Anis put his feet out in front of him and stared at them.
"I think he'd gotten so used to his feet being turned for such a long time that I don't think he realised it was going to be possible for his feet to be corrected and to look like his friends'."
"It's great to be able to use our skills for families who otherwise wouldn't have access to it," she said.
The care is possible under a memorandum of understanding between the ACT government and Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children (ROMAC) which brings sick babies and children to Canberra for critical care.
The Kassau family was welcomed into Sandra and Brian Goldstraw's Canberra home.
Ms Goldstraw, who was instrumental in establishing ROMAC's Canberra operation, is a retired nurse and midwife who has housed, fed and clothed 33 Pacific Islander children, including Anis and Melanie.
"And there are more children out there who need our help, who are just like our children," Ms Goldstraw said.
Ms Goldstraw hopes to help 50 children.
And next week she will host a baby and mother, also from Vanuatu, when the three-month-old boy who has a lung condition is discharged from a special care nursery in Canberra.
Ms Goldstraw said when the Kassau siblings arrived they were very quiet before developing interests in their new surroundings.
"They started to really like TV because they've never had the TV at home, and we have an extra phone, so they kept on playing games on the phone.
When older brother Anis was not in hospital, he was supported to attend Gold Creek High School for two terms.
"They looked after him so well. They even had a special teacher to guide him," Ms Goldstraw said.
And although there were significant language barriers, she said she had a wonderful connection with the children's mother.
"I could see that she was so happy to see her children progressing with their treatment; she would smile when she saw them walking around and having a bit of fun at the physio department," she said.
ROMAC started almost 40 years ago and has helped about 600 children, while the Canberra operation began in 2006 with capacity to help four children each year.
This story is available on ABC online.
It has been a busy month for the Board as we prepare for the upcoming Annual General Meeting in Melbourne on 30 October during the Rotary South Pacific Conference.
ROMAC Central was recently represented at an Adelaide Government House reception by committee members Dr Jayanthi Selvam and Rosemary Padmanabhan.
ROMAC has had an opportunity to tell its story to District Governors-Elect at a Zone 8 meeting recently.
ROMAC is once again setting up a presence in Western Australia after more than 12 years without Oceania children being brought to the state for treatment.
Rotarians are keen fundraisers for ROMAC and have a flair for enjoying themselves while bringing in much needed monetary support.
Our ROMAC team continues to be busy with four new referrals coming to us since my July report – two from Timor Leste, one from Solomon Islands and one from Fiji.
Rockhampton South Rotary has hosted a fundraising event at Athelstane House, with 100% of proceeds from drinks sold going towards funding medical care for ROMAC children.
Fundraising Director Mariam Fergusson has appealed to new Club and District leaders to support ROMAC in the 2026-27 Rotary year.
I am delighted to be able to announce and extend a warm welcome to new and returning members to the ROMAC Board.
Video creator Mark Tanner has been presented with a Certificate of Appreciation for his work creating videos for ROMAC.
A Rotary-organised concert has raised $2000 for ROMAC.
What a special privilege it is to be involved in ROMAC. I am always very moved seeing the smiles on the faces of our ROMAC children, as they leave to go home after their life changing treatment in Australia or New Zealand.
A call has gone out for nominations for the annual ROMAC awards to recognise volunteers, medical professionals and benefactors.
More support for Clubs and better donor communication — these are the priorities for new Fundraising Director Mariam Fergusson as she gets to grips with the role.
Campbelltown Rotarians have backed ROMAC with a $2000 donation following a presentation by Central Region Chair Judi-Marie Brown.
Lei Day High Tea at Cobbitty Retirement Village had a brand new star this year — 10-year-old Cameron (pictured with Eastern Region Chair Anita Robinson).
ACT Regional Chair Sandra Goldstraw has been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for her community service in several roles.
Another month has passed and it is time to welcome everyone to our May newsletter.
The Rotary Club of North Ryde has held a Lei Day barbecue at Bunnings Warehouse Gladesville to raise funds for ROMAC.
Lane Cove, Sydney pharmacy Gavin Starr Pharmacist Advice has donated much-needed paracetamol to Eastern Region.
Belmont Rotary Club has committed to supporting ROMAC following a presentation by Eastern Region Committee member Louise Hay.
Two ROMAC leaders took an opportunity to draw more support for the charity at the District 9675 Assembly recently.
Two leading New Zealand ROMAC supporters have received lifetime recognition awards.
Dr Eric Horne has been a Rotarian since December 1971, an active member for almost 50 years and an Honorary member in more recent years.
Geoff Pownall once thought his Rotary journey was complete.
Sharon and her husband Wayne have made an extraordinary contribution to ROMAC for more than a decade.
ROMAC’s Central Region Committee is planning support arrangements for 12-year-old Miliana from Vanuatu, who will be treated at Adelaide Women’s and Children’s Hospital.
ROMAC was honoured to be part of the combined Rotary District 9660 and 9685 Conference — sharing stories that reflect the hope, courage, and life-changing impact at the heart of our work.
More than 350 Rotarians from three districts had an opportunity to learn more about ROMAC last month.
The Acting Chair role, together with the Operations Director role, continues to keep me busy.
This is my first newsletter as the Acting ROMAC Chair and what a busy time the last month has been.
An anonymous repeat donor has thanked ROMAC for the gift we sent in appreciation.
ROMAC shared life saving stories at the District 9675 Conference, strengthening community support to continue transforming children's lives.
Sunshine Coast Rotary clubs recently gathered for their annual Trivia Challenge, raising over $9,000 for ROMAC.
We are delighted to welcome Anita Binns, who has recently joined ROMAC as our volunteer HR Co-ordinator.
Glenys Parton, ROMAC Chair, announces a leadership change.
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Sight is vital to a child’s well-being and future. This Timor-Leste mother pays tribute to those who helped her son regain his and expresses her heartfelt gratitude.
ROMAC relies on the dedication of many volunteers, together with the ongoing support of Rotary clubs. Rockhampton South Rotary Club was recently recognised for their support of ROMAC.
Antonio sustained a traumatic eye injury after being struck by a ball while playing football with friends.
The latest on the beneficial collaboration between ACT Health and ROMAC.
ROMAC Chair Glenys Parton's end of 2025 message.
ROMAC confirmed the recipients of the 2024–25 volunteer recognition awards.
Maggie Alexander's contribution to ROMAC over the past 8 years was recognised at the ROMAC AGM.
Whether you volunteer, donate, or spread the word, your contribution brings a child closer to life changing surgery.
