Interplast was founded through the partnership of Rotary and The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in 1983. For more than 40 years, Rotarians in clubs and districts throughout Australia and New Zealand have been helping us to change lives in the Asia and Pacific regions.
Rotarians serve on Interplast’s Board of Directors and 9 Past District Governors form the Rotarian Committee, which advises the Executive and Board on Rotary matters.
We want to match the enthusiasm Rotarians have for supporting Interplast. Here you’ll find everything you need to champion Interplast at Club Meetings, Conference Showcases and fundraising events.
When a child is born with a cleft lip and palate, the only option to repair it is reconstructive surgery. But, a child like Revelation, born with a cleft lip and palate in Samoa has extremely limited options for specialised surgery.
In fact, there is little to no access to reconstructive surgery in the Pacific and parts of Asia.
In March last year, three-year-old Revelation and his dad travelled to Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital in Samoa clinging to the hope of receiving surgery for Revelation.
Because of the generosity of people like you, the volunteer Interplast team of surgeons led by Associate Professor Damian Marucci were able to repair Revelation’s cleft lip alongside local surgeon Dr Mayday Fanueli.
After successful post-operative care, Revelation and his dad returned home to their village, although his cleft palate still needed repairing.
Just six months later, in October A/Prof Marucci and the Interplast team returned to Samoa and again with local surgeons, they repaired Revelation’s cleft palate.
After Revelation’s successful second surgery, his mum instantly heard the improvement in Revelation’s speech. She was so delighted to listen to him speaking, as he had struggled with forming sounds before his surgery.
It’s only through the generosity of clubs and individuals that we can continue to provide critical, life-changing surgeries to families who live in the Pacific and Asia.
With you, children like Revelation have a brighter future.
Below are the newest stories featuring Interplast’s work and the stories of some of our patients. You are welcome to use these stories in your Rotary Club newsletters by copy and pasting the text and photos from the post. Please include a link back to the Interplast website when sharing these stories.
Please do not re-write, edit or alter text and images.
Beia with Interplast volunteer Dr Mark Strahan, after successful surgery to address a burn on his…
Nachain with her mother after her successful surgery. Meet Nachain In late June, the Interplast team…
In May, leaders in rehabilitation and assistive technology from across the Pacific gathered in person for…
Interplast representatives have an incredible story to tell. You can request for a volunteer or Rotary observer to speak about their first-hand experience on an Interplast program.
If you would like an Interplast representative to speak at your Rotary club or event, please send your Program Coordinator a link to the form below, or fill it out now.
Find all tools and documents to help you champion Interplast in your Club, District and community at your fingertips.
Find all tools and documents to help you champion Interplast in your Club, District and community at your fingertips.
Find the answers to common questions we get at District Conferences and Club presentations, and learn more about Interplast and our work in our FAQ.
Interplast’s Rotarian Engagement Coordinator, Janette Etherington, is your first point of contact in the Interplast office for all Rotary matters.
To find out more about fundraising opportunities, guest speakers, or other Rotary Clubs and Districts who are supporting Interplast, please contact Janette via +61 3 7042 5472 or at janette.etherington@interplast.org.au.
