Australian physiotherapist Michelle Watson (pictured right) has finished six months of volunteer work with the New Steps program for the handicapped in Sierra Leone. One of her last experiences was the day she saw one of her patients with polio walk for the first time.  She first met 18 year old Dauda crawling in the red dust along a road.  Following some surgery, and being fitted with callipers, Dauda walked and now wants to go to school.   Michelle says, “Thank God for this challenging, yet amazing, time in Sierra Leone.”

Centrepiece of a Mercy Ships Australia display recently was a scale model of the Africa Mercy.
Long time Mercy Ships supporter Shirley Broadbent (pictured left) admires the model ship with New South Wales representative Hazel Budd at the Newcastle Wood Turners exhibition

Queensland family, Andrew, Jodie and Jessica Rothwell are participating in the Gateway training course in Texas, in preparation for long-term service with Mercy Ships.  Jessica attends a local school and is doing well.
Andrew and Jessica are in a training course of 26, with America, Australia, New Zealand, England, The Netherlands and Chile represented.  The family is looking forward to serving as volunteers onboard the new Africa Mercy.

As the shipping world celebrates World Maritime Day, Mercy Ships is recognising the role of hundreds of maritime volunteers who have kept the fleet of Mercy Ships sailing to 555 ports in 70 nations over the past 28 years.
One of the Australian volunteers currently serving onboard the Anastasis is Brisbane-based bosun, Trevor Haylock.  Trevor has been with Mercy Ships for more than eight years, receiving training on and off the ship during that time.

The Australian flag is raised onboard the Mercy Ship Anastasis as Australian crew members serving onboard during the current assignment to Ghana gathered for a recent group picture.
Some of the Australian volunteers are serving long-term, while others spend from a few weeks to a few months in a range of duties as part of the crew of more than 400 from nearly 40 nations.

Australians Mercy Ship in Ghana – June 2006

More than a dozen Australian volunteers are onboard the Anastasis at the commencement of the assignment to Ghana.  Pictured is MaryAnne Guymer of NSW, a ward nurse, with a very young patient scheduled for surgery during the assignment.
Thousands of people queued during the two-day medical screening, hoping for a place on the surgical list to correct disability, disfigurement or blindness.  The hospital ship will remain Ghana until February 2007.

Knitting Holiday – June 2006

She had a choice of holiday destination – the Snowy Mountains or Caloundra on the Queensland Sunshine Coast.  Jo Badian of Macquarie Fields in Sydney chose Caloundra; the reason she wanted to knit.
“There’s a little more to the story than that,” says Jo.  “I really wanted to catch up with members of the Sonshine Knitters, a group of women who meet every Friday morning at the Caloundra City Christian Outreach Centre to knit and chat.”
“More than two years ago, I heard about the work being done by volunteers serving with Mercy Ships in some of the world’s poorest countries, and became a supporter.    Then I read in one of the charity’s newsletters about a group of women who get together to knit squares for blankets to send to people in need, including little children visiting a Mercy Ship for surgery.  She started knitting.
Pictured is Jo holding one of the blanket packs, with members of the Sonshine Knitters and the church’s pastor.

Mercy Ships visitor from UK – June 2006

Executive Director of Mercy Ships UK, Judy Polkinhorn, visited the Australian support office at Caloundra in June.  She also spent time in Newcastle and Sydney meeting supporters.  
She has played a significant role in recent years raising support through funding and donations of goods and services for the new Africa Mercy.
Judy Polkinhorn became Executive Director of Mercy Ships UK in August 2004 following an extensive career in the charity sector.
She worked in fundraising in Devon and Cornwall followed by roles in fundraising, public relations and marketing within the hospice movement.
Having started her working life as a nurse and seen the medical sector from both sides as a health practitioner and a business manager she has a unique appreciation of the many challenges facing Mercy Ships. She has served as Chairman of the Midlands Region of the  National Association of Hospice Fund Raising in the UK and served on the National Executive.

Timothy turns one – June 2006

Timmy Borrow, one of the youngest crew members onboard the Anastasis, has just celebrated his first birthday with young friends, children of other crew members.   Timmy is the son of John and Lee-Anne Borrow of NSW.
After celebrating with friends, he donned a new African shirt for the dinner party in the evening.
Timmy is also creating new problems for mum and dad – he has started walking.

Winter newsletter now available … May  2006

The latest Mercy Ships Australia newsletter is now out.
Copies will be in the mail to regular supporters shortly.
You can download a PDF version from our Home page.

If you would like to be included on the regular mailing list, click on “Contact Us” and provide your details

Mercy Ships on show – May 2006

Delegates from a wide area had the opportunity of learning more about the work of Mercy Ships at the conference of the Royal Australian College of Surgeons at Darling Harbour in Sydney.

Alan and Hazel Budd of NSW and other Mercy Ships volunteers assisted in answering questions.

The College provided display space (pictured) free of charge.

New scrubs for Fiona – May 2006

NSW nurse Fiona Fraser will be heading to Ghana for the next Mercy Ships assignment with some new gear.  While helping at the Mercy Ships display during the conference of the Royal Australian College of Surgeons, Fiona was presented with a gift of Australian made "scrubs" from the Business Manager of Clean Room Garments, Kristina Lowe.  Fiona will serve as Assistant Theatre manager on the new Africa Mercy when the new hospital ship joins the assignment in Ghana later this year.

Australian refrigerators for the Africa Mercy

An Australian company has supplied special pharmacy refrigerators for the new Africa Mercy, as work continues on the ship in preparation for deployment to West Africa later in the year.

Chairman of the Australian Mercy Ships Board, Jim Bird, says the pharmacy refrigerators were sourced by the charity’s Procurement Department in Switzerland, with negotiations then commenced with the Queensland-based company Thermoline.

“The company provided the needed equipment at a considerably reduced price,” Jim said.   Thanks to the generosity of Australian supporters, Mercy Ships Australia paid for the refrigerators from the newly established Relief Fund and freight costs to Rotterdam.

Brian and Lynn stepping back – March 2006

National Director of Mercy Ships Australia, Brian Ross, and wife Lynn, have been involved as volunteers in an administrative role for Mercy Ships Australia for nine years.
They now are stepping back and retiring to a more leisurely role supporting Mercy Ships.
Brian will continue as a member of the Australian Board and will perform public relation activities.

Pictured are Brian (left) and Lynn being thanked by the newly appointed National Director, Gary Regazzoli.

Africa Mercy on Channel 7 again – March 2006

Producers of the TV series Beyond Tomorrow have advised that the episode featuring a story on the Africa Mercy will be re-screened on Wednesday, March 22, at 7.30 pm on the Seven Network.  The program was first screened last September.  Pictured is Dr Caroline West, the Beyond Tomorrow reporter who visited the Mercy Ship in Newcastle, UK.

Beatrice’s Jar – March 2006

"Last year in my Mercy Ships NEWS I read and was very touched by the story of Beatrice.  It troubled me so much that I got an empty Vegemite jar - decorated it - and called it Beatrice's jar,” writes a NSW pensioner.  “Each week I have put $2 in the jar and now after 25 weeks I am able to send you a cheque for $50.  I hope the money can be put to good use and I will now start again with my two dollars each week."
Pictured is Beatrice with huge facial tumour, removed by surgeons

Autumn Newsletter out – March 2006

The Autumn issue of Mercy Ships Australia News is out.  Did you know you can now download the full newsletter from the Home page on the website.   Back issues will also be archived for downloading.
If you would like a copy posted every three months, please contact us by clicking on the Contact Us button above, by phoning, or by writing to the Australian national office.

Enjoy reading the latest copy.

A day in the operating theatre for John Borrow – March 2006

Onboard the Mercy Ship Anastasis, currently on assignment in Liberia, John and Lee-Anne Borrow of NSW, had the opportunity of standing in to observe surgeries being performed,   For John, it was an opportunity of watching surgeons at work during a complicated nine-hour procedure to remove a facial tumour from 54-year-old Jackson, and then re-construct his face.   Lee-Anne watched as surgeons repair a cleft lip on Mariama, aged 18 months.

Melbourne Physio in Sierra Leone – Mar 2006

Thanks from Liberian children – March 2006

Pictured is Jon Howes of Australia with children from The Great Commission Orphanage in Liberia, with some of the orphans and mattresses purchased with donations from Australia and elsewhere.  Jon says the project aimed to provide 40 bunk beds for 120 children (two on the bottom one on top).  A local carpenter worked with teenagers from the orphanage to make the beds.   Thanks to those involved!

New National Director – Feb 2006

The Board of Mercy Ships Australia has announced the appointment of Gary Regazolli as National Director, following a decision by current National Director, Brian Ross, to retire.

Gary grew up on a sugar cane farm in North Queensland, before heading to the UK and US for university and work in Marketing and Sales.   It was in the US that he met his wife Susan, and they have two grown children.   After six years in Los Angeles, Gary and the family returned to Australia, where he has been involved in a range of positions with his church.

Gary says the phrase ‘The face of love in action’ on the Mercy Ships website caught his attention and excited him about the prospect of joining an organisation taking the message of hope and healing to those most in need.

Brian Ross will remain a member of the Board, and continue speaking engagements on behalf of the charity.

Amy’s effort for Mercy Ships – Feb 2006

Eight-year-old Amy Meyers (pictured) wanted to do something for Mercy Ships, so when her school, Ringwood Heights Primary, planned a Market Day, Amy and her friend Alex set up a stall.   They had decided to split the proceeds – Alex Trethewey wanted her half to go to TEAR Australia, while Amy’s half would go to Mercy Ships.  Their efforts brought in $100, and Amy’s dad presented Amy’s share to Mercy Ships representatives at the Pacific 2006 Expo in Sydney.

On Show at Maritime Expo – Feb 2006

Mercy Ships Australia was again on show at Pacific 2006 International Maritime Exposition at Darling Harbour, Sydney.  In the midst of displays featuring the latest maritime naval technology from around the world, Mercy Ships volunteers told visitors about the way lives are changed through the love of other volunteers serving in the world’s poorest nations. 

Update on baby Noah – Feb 2006

Just under a year ago a pregnant 0ut patient arrived on board the Anastasis in Liberia for jaw surgery, and within a few hours she gave birth to a son.    Dormou asked Tarme Sutherland, a Queensland nurse, and Nancy Fisher to name her son.  He was given the name Noah.

Pictured is a growing Noah, who recently visited the Mercy Ship during the return assignment to Liberia.

Helping Mariama overcome her fears Jan 2006

Director of Health Services onboard the Anastasis, Sonja Frischknecht of NSW, is pictured (right) with two American missionaries from Guinea and Mariama who was fearful of coming for surgery to remove a benign tumour in the mouth.  Mariama had never seen the sea, a ship, had never seen or climbed stairs, never used a toilet, had not seen a water tap, knew nothing about electricity.   She travelled from neighbouring Guinea to Liberia where the Mercy Ship is on assignment.  After three hours of surgery, Mariama is on the way to recovery.

Orphanage project boosted by Australian gift

Australian volunteers, Tarme Sutherland (nurse) and Craig Rodgers (Chief Officer) with Willie Suah, the administrator of an orphanage that has been a major focus for involvement of work for off-duty crew in Liberia.   Tarme’s family in Australia raised $1600 to buy imitation leather covered mattresses for the children to sleep on.  Most of the double mattresses will sleep four or five children crossways.

Australian surgeons giving a new start to women of Liberia – January 2006

Dr Judith Goh and Dr Hannah Krause, both from Queensland, are back on the Anastasis carrying out repair surgeries on women suffering from the condition known as Vesico-vaginal fistula which renders them incontinent.  Many such women become outcasts from family and society.  Following surgery, the women receive colourful new outfits symbolising their new start in life.  (Pictured is Dr Goh with two of her patients following successful surgery)

Australian nurse tries to describe the poorest country in the world – January 2006

Jon Howes, a paediatric nurse now serving in Liberia, says it is impossible to describe. It’s a man who knew nothing but a gun for 14 years, no education, no training, no trade, no hope.  It’s the picture of 120 orphaned children living in a few rooms.  It’s 4 million people, 80% of them unemployed.  It’s a population living on $150 each a year, or half the people living on half that amount.  It’s a country full of bullet holes, a country with no infrastructure

Australian family onboard a Mercy Ship – January 2006

“There’s a challenge ahead, there’s a world of need just beyond our gangway,” writes John Borrow of New South Wales.   “There is enough work here in Liberia for 10 hospital ships.”  John and wife Lee-Anne, with six-month-old Timmy, are long-term volunteers serving with Mercy Ships.  Read more of how John sees life onboard in his report to Sight Magazine website - http://www.sightmagazine.com.au/stories/mymission/mercyships21.12.05.php

Gifts for the children of Africa – December 2005

A gift by members of Mooloolah Masonic Lodge 334 on the Queensland Sunshine Coast will help volunteers serving with the global charity Mercy Ships touch the lives of some of the world’s poorest people.
Past Worshipful Master Andy Williams presented the donation to Brian Ross, National Director.    Wives of Lodge members also presented a gift of knitted toys and personal toiletry bags for children.

Students gift to help the poor in Africa – November 2005

Students in Grades 8, 9 and 10 at Matthew Flinders College at Buderim paid money to stay out of school uniform for the day recently.    The proceeds of the effort were given to two charities – Mercy Ships receiving half.
Sally Embleton is pictured handing over the gift to Brian Ross, National Ross.  In return, Brian gave the school a Mercy Bear.