Aid work in Kiribati wins Bill a 'thank you' from Govt

Sydney
2 March 2003

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Aid work in Kiribati wins Bill a 'thank you' from Govt

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Aid work in Kiribati wins Bill a 'thank you' from Govt

Bill Hannigan receives his award at Parliament House, Canberra, from shadow minister Bob McMullan, his local MP

Bill Hannigan's volunteer work in the Pacific island nation of Kiribati has won him a big 'thank you' from the Federal Government.

Bill, a parishioner at St Benedict's Church, Narrabundah, in the ACT, assisted the bishop of the diocese of Tarawa and Nauru, Bishop Paul Mea, with office and project management.

His efforts gained him a certificate of appreciation from the Department of Foreign Affairs for his service as a volunteer assisting in international development and poverty reduction.

Bill applied to go overseas through the Paulian Association of Lay Missionaries (PALMS), the Catholic overseas volunteer aid body.

This year 24 new PALMS volunteers will take up positions in Tonga, Fiji, East Timor, Tanzania, Kiribati and Papua New Guinea.

Adrian Thompson, of PALMS, says that volunteer teachers are still sorely needed, plus health professionals, people with management experience and tradespeople.

PALMS prefer volunteers to make at least a two-year commitment. Call PALMS on 9642 0558 or email: palms@palms.org.au