(Article submitted by Rotarian Andy Merrill)"Recently, I had the opportunity to visit Rotary’s Donations In Kind warehouse in West Footscray with Dr L Tan, who volunteers his services to an isolated Aboriginal community on Elcho Island, also called “Galiwinku”, in East Arnhem Land NT.
Dr Tan had asked if the Rotary Club of Berwick could help him source much needed medical equipment to ease the aboriginal community’s needs.
This request was way out of my experience, so phone calls were made to many Rotarians, namely Bob Lay, Gus Dominguez and David Button, to mention just a few.
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Many suggestions were made & a visit to DIK sounded like a good start. So, on Thursday 14 February, Dr Tan & I visited the warehouse after organising with the Coordinator of DIK.
This was an unbelievable eye-opening experience that also created a “Proud to be a Rotarian” feeling.
Dr Tan looked like a kid in a “lolly shop”, as the size & amount of donated medical equipment was absolutely mind boggling.
We spent a few hours pacing around isle upon isle of pallet racking, selecting the items he needed. A couple of items that Dr Tan needed had already been allocated to other recipients, so he missed out on those items this time.
We eagerly packed a carton with the “booty” & loaded up the car with a promise to return, if the missing items are donated again.
The carton is now on its way to Elcho Island to help both Dr Tan & this isolated aboriginal community to a better & healthier life. All thanks to that wonderful organisation called ROTARY & it’s many volunteers.
Congratulations to all the fantastic members of the Rotary Club of Berwick."
On behalf of the Club, "Well done Andy"!
