Heron Island Research Station. 

 

 

Dr Stuart Kininmonth  spoke about using genetic modification to control species.  I  was thinking about genetically causing the rat population to produce only males so that the species ceases to exist.  Stuart would say that it is playing God but then the vegetable garden would be better off.

 

This morning (Sunday 14^th) I attended the first meeting of our new Community Group.  The meeting was attended by all fourteen Clubs.    I  outlined the next possible Interplast project which is Nurse Education in Tonga.  The project will involve an Interplast nurse educator who will provide workshops for 30 nurses across all surgical services .  The program will cost $25000 to deliver with a target date of early 2025.

 

Alan Costello has offered to co-ordinate Rotary involvement for a workshop on Lessons in Disaster Training to be held during September. 

 We will more from Alan closer to the time.`

 

 

 

 

Scholarship details: Attending the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) Annual Scientific Congress in Christchurch, New Zealand, May 2024.

 

Scholarship sponsors: Rotary Clubs of Mt Eliza, Dromana, Mt Martha, Mornington, Rosebud-Rye, Somerville-Tyabb and Sorrento.

 

 

Alamea Fulivai is a general surgeon from Tonga. She was trained in the Fiji School of Medicine and works primarily in Tonga, but she has also worked around the Pacific region. She has a keen interest in plastic and reconstructive surgery, and has been involved in the Interplast visits to Tonga for the last decade. Dr Fulivai completed a 2-year fellowship in general and paediatric surgery in Waikato Hospital, New Zealand, before returning to Tonga in 2022. She developed a new love of hiking during her time in New Zealand, which is unheard of in an island as flat as Tonga, and recently completed the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. Prior to attending the conference, Dr Alamea said that “The theme this year goes beyond the technical aspects of surgery and looks at decision-making, ethical considerations, and leadership responsibilities.

 

These talks are important to me as I prepare to take over the leadership role in surgery. The scholarship allows me to get up to date and evidence-based surgical practice in Australasia. I am also able to network with peers from Australasia as well as the Pacific. I hope to gain more insight into the ethical and decision-making side of things. We unofficially wear many hats in the Ministry of Health, and this is something we step into without training.

 

 

JOKE: HOW TO HANDLE A HUSBAND

A couple was celebrating their golden wedding anniversary on the beaches in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Their domestic tranquillity had long been the talk of the town. People would say, 'What a peaceful & loving couple'.

The local newspaper reporter was inquiring as to the secret of their long and happy marriage.

The Husband replied: 'Well, it dates back to our honeymoon in America.' explained the man. 'We Weed the Gone to tay when An on, ho so stathi dond to the hot fel the cant, by horse.

down at the horse and quietly said, 'That's once.' We proceeded a little further and her horse stumbled again. Again my wife quietly said, 'That's twice.' We hadn't gone a half-mile when the horse stumbled for the third time my wife quietly removed a revolver from her purse and shot the horse dead.

I SHOUTED at her, What's wrong with you, Woman! Why did you shoot the poor animal like that, are you crazy!?'"

She looked at ME, and quietly said, 'That's once.' And from that moment.... we have lived happily every