We had a happy occasion this week: President Terry inducted our newest member Stan Paull. Stan is a transferring Rotarian from the Chelsea, Victoria club. Welcome Stan!

President Terry then called on Bob Carle to formally introduce our guest speaker, Dr Alan Tankel.

Alan is the director of emergency medicine at the Coffs Harbour Hospital. However he is also very involved in assisting the people of third world countries (including Tonga, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, East Timor, Myanmar and Sri Lanka) arranging to send doctors to these regions to train existing health providers in emergency life support techniques. The program was commenced in Tamworth some years ago but has since spread over much of the pacific.

Alan sought our club’s consideration to providing financial assistance to bring a nurse from Tonga to Coffs Harbour to participate in this further training. He had completed a rough budget and estimated that the cost of a 5 day stay would be no more than $2,500. I think it was Stan Paull who suggested that this type of program could be enhanced by involving the local Rotary club. Alan considered this to be a good idea. Alan’s presentation was very interesting, not only on the above topic but about the medical industry in general.

For all that and more, be sure to check out this week’s Coffs City Chatroom.