It has been a real privilege to undertake the chair role since March. However, the Board recognised this was a caretaker appointment and we continued to seek a successor.
On behalf of the Board, I am delighted to be able to announce that Past Rotary International Director, John Lawrence OAM, has accepted the role of ROMAC Chair from 1 November 2026. With his mana and extensive governance experience, John will be a huge asset for ROMAC going forward. We extend a very warm welcome to John.
On the 30 September we farewelled our Medical Director Nigel Stewart. On behalf of the ROMAC Board and our volunteers, I acknowledge and gratefully thank Nigel for his guidance and compassion for our ROMAC children over the almost four years he has been in this role. I am delighted to extend a warm welcome to our new Medical Director, Sydney Paediatrician Michael Plaister, who took over from Nigel Stewart from 1 October.
During the last two months the team has worked hard preparing for the upcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM), to be held on 30 October in Melbourne during the Rotary South Pacific Conference. The 2025-26 Financial Reports were finalised and a successful audit completed, the 2025-26 Annual Report compiled and printed, and the Board reviewed and approved nominations for the 2026-27 Directors to go to the AGM for approval by the Members, and the 2026-27 District Governors. Preparations were completed for hosting the District Governor Elects and Nominees at a dinner on Tuesday 27 October.
The past two months have also been busy months looking after our ROMAC children. Since my last report in August, ROMAC has received 12 new referrals – five from Vanuatu, three each from Solomon Islands and Timor Leste, and one from PNG.
We are currently supporting the following four children:
Six children successfully completed their treatment during September and October and were discharged to fly home. Vanessa from Timor Leste, after ophthalmological surgery at Sydney Children’s Hospital Westmead; Keysha and Brendan from Vanuatu, after cardiac surgery at Starship Hospital in Auckland; Anis and Melanie from Vanuatu, after treatment for talipes at Canberra Children’s Hospital; and Cyelio from Timor Leste, after cardiac treatment at Children’s Hospital Queensland, Brisbane
Looking ahead, we continue to have children scheduled to arrive in early 2027 into Darwin, Brisbane, Adelaide, Auckland and Christchurch. They are coming from a diverse range of countries of Oceania we support — Timor Leste, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.
Throughout my time as Chair my appreciation has gone, and continues to go, to our hardworking and compassionate team of ROMAC volunteers. ROMAC’s support for the children of Oceania would not be possible without the many hours of support they willingly give week in and week out. Thank you.
Peter Garnett MBE
ROMAC Chair
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Rotary Clubs have been asked to include ROMAC in their Christmas raffles and fundraising efforts.
Volunteers in Darwin recently raised $1500 from a ROMAC raffle at a Pacific Island cultural event hosted by The Friendly Island People Inc.
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You could help change — or even save — the life of a child by making a bequest to ROMAC in your will.
An ABC journalist has reported how siblings from Vanuatu can now walk after donated Canberra care. We republish the story with the kind permission of the ABC Digital News Team.
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.
