On the way to Pakistan – November 2005

Under the watchful eye of a local television news crew, Mercy Ships volunteers at Caloundra loaded a shipping container destined for victims of the earthquake in Pakistan.   Most of the load comprised medical equipment and supplies donated since the major Tsunami appeal earlier this year.    On arrival in Pakistan in the next few weeks, the goods will be distributed where needed by Red Crescent, the equivalent organisation to Red Cross.

Young crew members onboard the Mercy Ship in Africa – November 2005

At five months of age, Timmy Borrow, is one of three babies around that age onboard the Anastasis on field assignment in Liberia.   He, one of the youngest of many children of crew serving with Mercy Ships, is dwarfed by his life jacket during safety training.
Timmy’s parents, John and Lee-Anne Borrow of Sydney, are long serving volunteers.  John works as Safety Officer on the hospital ship, while Lee-Anne in addition to her role as mother serves as Personal Assistant to the ship’ Operations Director.
An onboard school provides first class education to the children of volunteers.

Inner Wheel Gift to Mercy Ships – November 2005

Members of the Inner Wheel Club of Brisbane have given a generous donation towards the work being carried out by Mercy Ships volunteers serving onboard the hospital ship Anastasis in West Africa.  The ship is in Monrovia, the capital of Liberia, now starting to re-build following 14 years of civil war.

Pictured making the presentation to National Director Brian Ross is Club President Carol Springer.

Australian visitors inspect the Africa Mercy – November 2005

Jeff and Joan McFarlane, Mercy Ships volunteers and supporters from the Queensland Sunshine Coast, included a visit to the newest hospital ship while in the UK recently. The Africa Mercy is nearing the end of a major conversion from a rail ferry to what will be the world’s largest non-governmental hospital ship, die for commissioning early next year.

Australian volunteers in Africa

A big contingent of volunteers from Australia is onboard the Anastasis for the current field assignment to Liberia. Pictured are Australian and New Zealand volunteers dining out on deck as the ship left Capetown, South Africa, for Monrovia. “One may think we are on a cruise,” said Sonja Firschknecht, “but the work is now really starting.”

Fiona returning to Africa with Mercy Ships – October 2005

New South Wales nurse, Fiona Fraser, is due to join the newest Mercy Ship, the Africa Mercy, early next year for her third period of service as a volunteer.  She will help set up operating theatres on the ship before sailing for field service in Ghana.  Fiona undertook a training program onboard the Anastasis several years ago, acting as team nurse for 14 people in Guinea.  She later served on the ship in Benin.  Fiona is pictured with Lord Ian McColl at a recent supporters’ dinner in Newcastle.

Busy time in Newcastle for Lord McColl – October 2005

Vice Chairman of Mercy Ships International Lord Ian McColl, spent a busy two days in Newcastle, NSW, during his recent visit to Australia.   As he did elsewhere, Lord McColl spent much time telling media reporters of the work being done by Mercy Ships volunteers among the world’s poorest people.  He spoke at many functions.  Lord McColl is pictured at a luncheon at the Newcastle Business Club, with long-time local Mercy Shops volunteers, Julia and Doug Roberts.

A week in Australia for Lord McColl – September 2005

Vice Chairman of Mercy Ships International, Lord Ian McColl, inspired all who listened to his stories of the work being done by volunteers serving with Mercy Ships, during his week-long visit to Australia.

Professor McColl visited Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Sydney and Newcastle to address a number of gatherings of medical personnel, members of the business community, Mercy Ships volunteers and supporters.

He also spent time at the Australian Mercy Ships office in Caloundra, Queensland.

Surgeon with a heart for Africa – September 2005

A Member of the British House of Lords, Lord Ian McColl of Dulwich is visiting Australia during September to speak on behalf of the work of Mercy Ships.

The visit coincides with his involvement in a Commonwealth Parliamentary delegation to Fiji and Papua New Guinea .

He will speak on behalf of Mercy Ships in Brisbane on 15 September, the Gold Coast on 16 September, Sydney on 17 and 18 September, and Newcastle on 19 and 20 September.

Lord McColl, retired Professor of Surgery at Guy's Hospital in London , currently serves as Vice Chairman of the Executive Committee of the International Board of Mercy Ships International. He is also Chairman of the UK Board of Trustees for Mercy Ships Australia.

Since 1991 he and Lady McColl, also a doctor, have regularly volunteered their surgical expertise serving with Mercy Ships while working among the extreme poor in West Africa . Most recently the McColl's partnership with Mercy Ships took them to post-war Liberia where they were involved with assisting women rendered incontinent by obstructed childbirth – a condition that has been eradicated in the Western world due to basic obstetric care.

Pictured are Lord McColl (top) and at work on the Anastasis (bottom)

Mercy Ships at Newcastle Expo

Hazel Budd, right, welcomes new supporters Norman and Margaret Bullivant from Toowoon Bay NSW to the Mercy Ships booth at the recent Newcastle Woodturners Exposition. Great interest was shown by many people in the details of Mercy Ships' work displayed in videos and photos. Hazel and Alan are the NSW representatives for Mercy Ships Australia and travel extensively promoting Mercy Ships to a great variety of organisations.

Helping with the One Million dollar Anastasis re-fit – August 2005

Albert Roth of Australia is working among volunteers from more than 30 nations on the major Anastasis refurbishment in a South African shipyard. Albert says there is so much work going on – renovations, new steel floors, replacing rusty pipes. The 52 year old ship is just like you see in the movies. The Anastasis will soon return for the second phase of its assignment to Liberia .

Thanks from Sri Lankan fishermen – August 2005

Mercy Ships Director Asia, Soo -Jin Lee presented new fishing boats to two Sri Lankan fishermen, funded by the Rotary Club of Unley, SA. The boats carry Rotary and Mercy Ships emblems. Mercy Ships has so far provided 45 fishing boats.

Both men conveyed their thanks –

(Pictured top left)  "Thank you Rotary Club for your gift of a new fishing boat for my family. This gift marks a new beginning for my family that will ensure our children have access to a better quality of life." T Tharmaseelan .

(Pictured bottom left ) "I am very grateful to the Rotary Club for providing me a new fishing boat to replace the one I lost in the tsunami. This new boat has restored my dignity and livelihood as a fisherman and will ensure the well-being of my family and community in the years ahead." P Kamalarajan .

Mercy Ships on show – July 2005

The work carried out by volunteers serving with Mercy Ships on its hospital ships and in land-based programs in Africa and the Caribbean was on display at the annual Christian Resources Exhibition in Sydney this month, visited by members of the Australian Christian community from a wide area. Pictured left is Mercy Ships volunteer Ken Hinchcliffe, talking to interested visitors. Others on the stand included NSW Representatives, Alan and Hazel Budd.

Australian volunteer helps build an orphanage in Liberia – July 2005

“The crew looked at each other wondering whether it was possible to build a 12-room building in two and a half months,” said Craig Rogers, an Australian volunteer serving on the Anastasis for 12 months as Chief Officer. The ship's Deck Department - deckhands and officers responsible for managing the ship - began looking for an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of Liberians, in addition to their regular work duties. Mama Victoria 's orphanage was a makeshift shelter of sticks, mud and tarpaulins, but the Deck Department set about raising funds from family and friends around the world, while donations of materials came in from the business community of Monrovia .

Long-serving volunteer drops by a Mercy Ships display – July 2005

Cheryl Howatson of Queensland , who returned to Australia last year after serving ten years as a volunteer with Mercy Ships in Africa and other parts of the world paid a visit to the Mercy Ships display at the recent Christian Resources Exhibition at the Sydney Showground Olympic Park. Cheryl is now working with Scripture Union in Queensland .

Queensland nurse on the Anastasis - June 2005

Tarme Sutherland says the impact of 14 years of civil war in Liberia is very real, and many of the scars may take years to heal or indeed may never fully recover. Pictured is Tarme with patient Victoria. "A truly beautiful woman who, when you look beyond her scars, dis - plays an abundance of strength matched only by her will to survive," says Tarme .

Rotary donation provides defibrillator for Africa Mercy
- June 2005

After hearing about the work of Mercy Ships serving people in the poorest nations of the world, members of the Maryborough Sunrise Rotary Club in Queensland set about raising funds to provide the needed equipment for the charity's newest hospital ship being launched soon in the UK . Pictured: Robyn Shepherd presenting Mercy Ships representatives Brian Ross and Jim Bird with a cheque for $5000 to buy a defibrillator. The club also presented another cheque for $1500 as a further donation to the work.

Volunteers tell of their experiences - June 2005

NSW nurse Fiona Fraser (pictured left) and NSW Mercy Ships representatives Alan and Hazel Budd (pictured right) had plenty of opportunities to tell of their experiences as volunteer Mercy Ships workers to visitors to the Hunter Reachout in Newcastle . Fiona has served two terms in Africa and will spend two years on the new Africa Mercy . Alan and Hazel have served on the Caribbean Mercy.

Shipyard Volunteers needed - June 2005

Volunteer skilled technical workers are being sought for periods of two to eight weeks in East London , South Africa , from July 4 to September 2 for a number of projects on the Anastasis . Welders, pipe fitters, plumbers, electricians, electronic technicians, carpenters, painters, mechanics and other skilled trades people are needed. We ask that you raise money for your airfare, and Mercy Ships will provide lodging and food. More details, contact the Australian office on 07 5437 2992.

Money for Sri Lankan fishing boats from Rotary Club in Adelaide - June 2005

Following visits last year to seven Adelaide Rotary Clubs by National Director Brian Ross, one of the clubs has been busy raising funds to help get Sri Lankan fishermen back in business following the Boxing Day tsunami. Members of the Unley Rotary Club have been responsible for raising funds to purchase two of 45 fishing boats being presented by Mercy Ships.

Mercy Ships story goes west - June 2005

The message of what volunteers are doing serving with Mercy Ships in the poorest nations of the world went to a handful of towns in country Queensland during a week-long trip west from the national office in Caloundra by Brian Lynn Ross. They attended meetings of Rotary Clubs in Dalby and Chinchilla, as well as Rotary, State School and Uniting Church at Jandowae. Pictured are Brian Ross and Richard Handley, president of Dalby Rotary Club.

New position for Australian nurse - June 2005

NSW nurse Sonja Frischknecht, the longest serving Australian volunteer onboard the Anastasis, will soon have a new position. Since 1994 she has served in a variety of roles in the Medical Department, including Nursing Unit Manager, Nursing Supervisor, and Nurse Educator. Later this year she will become Health Care Manager on the Anastasis . Among Sonja's most recent work was the training of local nurses, helping them upgrade their skills.

Gifts for the children of West Africa - May 2005

Year Ten students at Siena Catholic College on the Sunshine Coast wanted to do something practical as part of their Social Justice studies. So, they decided to put together hundreds of hygiene packs for children in West Africa . Here, Sarah Hartley and Emily Noble are pictured handing over the results of students' efforts to Brian Ross, National Director of Mercy Ships Australia, which will forward the gifts to children in Africa .

A pattern for outreach - May 2005

K1, P1, K2tog, K42sts . 1 blanket, 1 bear . It's not a message in code - to those skilled in the art of knitting the terms are familiar in following patterns. But it could also be called a pattern for outreach.
Caloundra Christian Outreach Centre now has about 20 women who bring their knitting needles with them once a week, have a chat, have a tea or coffee, and knit. Now the nearby Life Point Christian Outreach Centre at Mooloolaba has commenced a similar Knitting Circle as a way of becoming more involved in the local community and reaching out to those in need. The current project for both groups is aimed at children in West African nations served by Mercy Ships, with special packs for babies contained a knitted blanket and a knitted bear. Pictured (top left) are some members of the Caloundra group, and (left) representatives of the Mooloolaba group during a three-day display at a local shopping centre to enlist more members

Fiona Fraser on TV - May 2005

The message of Mercy Ships will reach a wide area of the Hunter region, and elsewhere in northern New South Wales through television interviews on NBN Newcastle. NSW Representative, Alan Budd, will be interviewed on the Morning Program on May 16, and Fiona Fraser will be on Wednesday, May 18, at 11 am . Fiona has served two terms with Mercy Ships in West Africa, and will leave next year for two years as Assistant Theatre Manager on the new Africa Mercy. Fiona is pictured here being interviewed by Nat Jeffrey.

Bags of Hope - May 2005

The Terrace Christian Life Centre at Raymond Terrace, NSW, has sent off 260 Bags of Hope, destined for children in Liberia - with another 250 due to be completed within a month or so. Pictured are the Co-ordinator of the church project Lois Kearns, with Pat Mortensen and Alison Fedder , assembling some of the bags. Each of the drawstring calico bags contains a teddy bear, cotton blanket, toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, face cloth, comb, writing paper, pencils and tennis ball.

International Vice Chairman visits Australia - May 2005

Vice Chairman of Mercy Ships International, Lord Ian McColl, met Australian office representatives and supporters during a brief visit to Australia . Pictured at left are: Brian Ross, Lord McColl, Pat Robertson, Alan Budd, Gillian Dowell. Andrew Robertson, Hazel Budd, James Bird, and Robbie Bird. Also present but taking the photograph was Fiona Fraser. Lord McColl will return to Australia later in the year.

Australian nurse helps name a baby - May 2005

The unexpected arrival of a baby transformed the treatment room onboard the Anastasis into a delivery room and maternity ward. Dormou, a patient whose jaw surgery was being postponed due to her pregnancy, but within just a few hours, Dormou gave birth to a healthy boy. Dormou asked Mercy Ships nurses Tarme Sutherland of Queensland and Nancy Fisher to name her son. Crew members celebrated the surprise arrival of baby Noah.

Are you on the mailing list? - March 2005

This is the latest copy of Australian News, the newsletter of Mercy Ships Australia, mailed to supporters and interested groups every three months. It contains informative information on what is happening as Mercy Ships volunteers reach out to people in the world's poorest nations, bringing hope and healing.
If you would like to receive this newsletter, please click on CONTACT US here or at the top of this page, and provide your details.
You will enjoy learning more about the work of Mercy Ships and of Australian volunteers serving on the ships and elsewhere around the world.

Australian surgeons in Liberia to help African women - April 2005

Pictured is Dr Judith Goh of Victoria during her last service as a volunteer, with two of the women who underwent successful surgery onboard the Anastasis to repair fistula problems. The women are given new outfits to symbolise their new start in life. Dr Goh, with Dr Hannah Krause, also of Victoria , are involved in three weeks of fistula surgery in Monrovia , Liberia .

Big Year for telling others about Mercy Ships - April 2005

Helen Walker, a Queensland nurse just back from three months as a volunteer in Benin , West Africa , is pictured speaking to a church group about her experiences in the eye surgery program, restoring sight to the blind. Over the past 12 months, Mercy Ships representatives have spoken to more than 120 community and church groups, and provided displays that have attracted interest and support from man thousands of Australians.

Display at Gospel Music Festival in Toowoomba - April 2005

Six volunteers from the Australian office of Mercy Ships in Caloundra helped out during a display at the Gospel Music Festival in Toowoomba over Easter. The festival drew an estimated 50,000 visitors, many of them pausing to seek more information about the work of volunteers who serve with Mercy Ships onboard the ships, in land-based projects and in support offices around the world.

Getting the Newsletter out - March 2005

Every three months, a small group of volunteers gathers to prepare the Australian Mercy Ships Newsletter for mailing.

Pictured are some of the volunteers, with some of the boxes of envelopes ready for mailing by Australia Post.

It's the same story with everything done by Mercy Ships Australia - all are volunteers, giving freely of their time and energy to help.

More than 1000 young people participated in sessions of this year’s International Outlook conference at Mt Tamborine at Mt Tamborine, Queensland. Mercy Ships was one of 60 mission agencies with displays during the conference. The final conference session was attended by 800. The annual conference is organised by Mission Interlink Australia.

Liberia for 12 months nursing with Mercy Ships - March 2005

Tarme Sutherland, pictured with the Youth Pastor of her home church at Southport , Queensland , Steve Peach, following her commissioning before heading off to Liberia .
She will spend 12 months as a volunteer, working as a post-operative ward nurse on the Anastasis .
"My work friends say I will come back with nothing," says Tarme , "but I believe I will come back with a greater dependence on God to meet all of my needs - physical and spiritual."