Vanuatu
May 11, 2026

Brother and sister arrive in Canberra for treatment

A brother and sister from Vanuatu have arrived in Canberra for treatment for their club feet, and have been treated to a ROMAC-style birthday party for the eldest, Anis, as he turned 13.

Pictured: Anis celebrates his 13th birthday with District 9705 Chair Debbie Whitfield (left) and Regional Chair Sandra Goldstraw.

Anis’ sister, Melanie, is three years old. The siblings arrived with their mother Liza and support carer and interpreter George, who is their uncle.

The family will need to be in Canberra for around 12 weeks, staying with ROMAC Regional Chair Sandra Goldstraw and her husband Brian with support from ROMAC District 9705 Chair Debbie Whitfield.

Both children have bilateral talipes where their feet are twisted and turned backwards.

They are being treated at Canberra Hospital by paediatric orthopaedic surgeon Dr Blaise Wardle and physio manager Melanie Ryan.

Following x-rays and assessment, the children have had both their legs encased in full-length plaster.

Anis and Melanie with both legs in full-length plaster.

Their treatment calls for six weeks of manipulation and stretching of muscles, plaster twice-weekly initially, then weekly, followed by surgery and observation to ensure there are no complications.

Anis and Melanie are the 30th and 31st children to be assisted by ROMAC in Canberra.

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Treatment in cases like this can cost more than $100,000

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