Sydney
31 August 2003
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Toys
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In
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Toys for Solomons kids
By Chris Lindsay
Women from the St Vincent de Paul Society in the Lower Hunter area are gathering toys for children serviced by the new hospital being set up by volunteer Australian doctor Chris Millar in Choiseul in the Solomon Islands.
The toys are just part of the continuing support provided to the hospital and Dr Millar by people in the Newcastle and Hunter Valley area, says John Hakes, Hunter region president of the Society.
Local parishioner Judy Healey has a devoted group of people in the St Joseph’s and Immaculate Conception parishes who hold functions (trivia nights, cake stalls, etc) to raise money for Dr Millar and the people of Choiseul. Judy and her group try to support as many as they can in the two parishes.
Much of the material in the three containers already sent to the hospital on Taro is from parishes, individuals and businesses in the area.
Vinnies, Catholic Mission and PALMS have also supported Dr Millar’s work.
Dr Millar was well known in the Hunter area before volunteering to set up the hospital at Choiseul on Taro.
Mr Hakes says: “Once it was known what Dr Millar was going to do he was invited to speak to various groups and organisations.
“It became a bit of a joke of his: ‘If anyone has anything to donate I’ll shove it in my port and take it over’ he would say. That port became three containers.
Dr Millar needs an outboard motor for his boat so he can visit the many groups scattered through the islands.
He also needs more support for the hospital.
“The local Mater Hospital (at Waratah) is helping with advice and medical assistance for Dr Millar,” says Mr Hakes.
“Local pharmacies are collecting medicines handed in by local people who no longer need them, or those that are ‘out of date’ but still useable.”
He said the containers were donated by Britz Removalists, a local company, but the problem was that Dr Millar went over to the Solomons before the containers and the locals did not have enough money to send them on.
“Then Barry Urwin, the local Catholic Mission representative, was told if we could get them to Cairns a navy ship would take them on its way to Bougainville,” he said.
“Then we had an offer from the army saying they would take the containers up to Cairns for us.
“A lot of medical goods donated by local doctors and hospitals went into the containers.
“There was enough equipment for a full operating theatre; there were gloves, gowns, sheets, lights, beds, wheelchairs, crutches, walking sticks, bedpans and a generator.
“St Vincent de Paul provided the generator and also a lot of the clothing that was included in the containers.
“Donations came in from everywhere. Individuals, Church groups, local businesses.
“Dr Millar was well known in the area and everyone pitched in to help.
“There were books, encyclopedias, there were knitting and sewing machines. Some local nuns played a role in that.
“It was tremendous the way everyone got together and helped out.
“Local parishioners did the packing up of the goods and then took them down to be packed into the containers. Everyone did their bit.
“Now we have to figure out how to get the next lot over.”
If you can offer donations or help in any way call John Hakes on (02) 4933 7948 or 0438 337 948.