Philippines/Griffith Ophthalmic Project

Philippines

• In 2016, Turramurra Rotarians agreed to support Professor Geoffrey Painter’s voluntary ophthalmic work in the Philippines.
• The team was led by Associate Professor Painter and Ms Kerrie Legge and was undertaken in Santiago, 350 km north of Manilla. About 5% of residents in this area are visually impaired, double the national average.
• By receiving a Rotary Foundation Global Grant, and partnering with the Rotary Club of Midtown Santiago and the Adventist Hospital Santiago, it was possible to acquire diagnostic equipment, train screeners and provide transport for the team. The project budget was AU$100,000.
• In 2019, 1,022 people received essential eye surgery.
• Covid caused the Philippines project to be placed on hold.

Griffith

• It was decided to investigate the possibility of running a similar project in NSW with an indigenous community.
• With the help of MP Alister Henskins, NSW Health and the Murrumbidgee Local Health District, the ophthalmic project was launched in the Griffith area in 2021 with the challenge to reduce the waiting times for the indigenous communities who were facing a two year wait for screening.
• Stakeholders in the project are the Griffith Aboriginal Medical Service (GAMS), the local Health District, local Rotary Clubs, Griffith Base Hospital, St Vincent’s Clinic and local councils.
• Training of screeners took place over one year at GAMS.

Achievements

• Twenty Cert 4 officers have been trained to screen for eye disease.
• A regular monthly service is provided by three practitioners.
• Patients do not have to travel to Wagga for treatment.
• Waiting list for public patients reduced from approximately 18 months to four weeks.
• The GAMS Clinic in Lake Cargelligo can now undertake eye checks.
• GAMS arranges transport for Aboriginal patients.
• Surgical facilities have been established at the St Vincent’s Eye Clinic.
• Ophthalmic surgery has been reintroduced into Griffith after a 17 year absence.

Future Goals

• Obtain a portable Retinal Camera - $15,000.
• Addition of an eye check to the health passport in 2024.
• Statewide eyesight screening for preschoolers.

Sydney's premier market on the north shore – 2^nd Sunday of the month, rain or shine - every month
Undercover!

On the second floor of the Council Car Park in Wade Lane, between Gordon Railway Station and Gordon Shops on Pacific Highway.
Operating continuously for more than 25 years with a quality range of more than 100 merchants.

Join us: 2nd Sunday of every month – from 8.30 am to 2.00 pm .
Operated by the Rotary Clubs of Turramurra and Ku-ring-gai and by kind permission of Ku-Ring-Gai Council.
All funds raised are donated to charitable causes.

Bookings and More Information: Gordon Markets Website

Members of the Rotary Clubs of Turramurra, Ku-ring-gai, Wahroonga and St Ives organise this annual event to provide a service for our cycling community and to raise funds for our charity partners - Primarily: Lifeline (Harbour to Hawkesbury), and other local charity organisations on an annual basis, such as: KYDS, Eagles Raps, The Bo Children's Hospital in Sierra Leone, Mentoring Men etc . The event usually raises over $130,000 for distribution to these charities.

The Bobbin Head Cycle Classic is held annually on a Sunday in March. Help us raise $200,000 and 'pedal for a purpose'

- visit the dedicated website:

www.bobbinheadcycleclassic.org.au

Turramurra Rotary provides morning tea to veterans and relatives attending the traditional CBD March on Anzac Day morning. We serve this at Turramurra and Warrawee Railway Stations.

In addition, the club provides refreshments (and cloves of rosemary) to local residents attending the ANZAC Day Service at the Turramurra Memorial at Turramurra Oval.

The Rotary Club of Turramurra aims to eliminate existing graffiti in the local community and keep it graffiti free by providing a programme aimed at private, business, public facilities and public infrastructure sites.

More info...

AND, please view short video below

Personal Contact

Please see our Contact Page

Surface Mail

Graffiti Removal Team
Rotary Club of Turramurra
PO Box 77
Turramurra NSW 2074