Our Thoughts Are with Nepal • Our Thoughts Are

TABLE OF CONTENTS Our thoughts are with Nepal • Our thoughts are with Nepal • Fundraising to change lives • Over to you Melbourne! IN OTHER NEWS Upcoming Programs Following the devastating earthquake that hit Nepal last Right now and over the Saturday our thoughts are with our local Nepalese partners, next few weeks, we colleagues and all of those affected by the tragedy, including have volunteer teams in those in Australia. the Solomon Islands and Bhutan for surgical We were relieved to hear from Nepalese surgeon and one of programs, a team in our key local partners, Dr Shankar Rai, that he and his team Mongolia mentoring in were not harmed in the earthquake, and that both of the burns management, as hospitals that they work in are not damaged. However, they well as program evaluations being have reported that they are overwhelmed with huge numbers undertaken in Laos and of trauma patients from the earthquake. Bangladesh. We have extended the offer of Interplast's assistance to them Volunteer Highlights directly, and to other local and international partners. Over coming weeks and months as the immediate humanitarian "A highlight for me, as a volunteer for response transitions into recovery, there will be ongoing need Interplast, was meeting for support in reconstructive surgery. Interplast is ready to a young boy with an help where our local partners request us to. unrepaired bilateral cleft lip and palate, Interplast has been working in Nepal since 2006 with a watching his corrective comprehensive training program that includes Nepalese lip surgery and then surgeons, nurses and allied health professionals. Our aim is to being able to provide improve access to quality reconstructive surgery and follow-up specialised post rehabilitative services by providing programs focused on operative building the capacity of local health care providers. feeding equipment for him. While Interplast is not a humanitarian response organisation, This enabled him to Interplast plastic surgeons, anaesthetists and nurses have feed effectively after previously assisted local hospitals in post-disaster events, surgery, without including the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami and following the Bali damaging the repair. bombing attacks. Once he had settled on the ward, he was Once our local partners are able to identify where our quickly becoming assistance is needed, we will be in a position to offer our hungry and desperate expertise and services in the medium-term recovery. We can for fluids. I was able to also mobilise teams in the short-term who are able to support stay with his mother, offer support, immediate need in trauma management if this assistance is and witness this young requested by our partners in Nepal. This is to ensure that our boy have his first bottle efforts are not duplicated and that a coordinated approach is feed with his new lip. taken. The relief on his Everyone at Interplast extends their condolences to all of those mother’s face was affected by this terrible tragedy. priceless. Interplast provides people with hope for a Fundraising to change lives better future and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to be a part of that." Sarah Florisson – Paediatric Speech Pathologist Discover more Thanks to the incredible supporters at Turia’s Interplast Gala in Sydney recently, more of our vital surgical and training work is now being planned for Laos and PNG this year. Stay up to date with all our news by following us Sydneysiders did themselves very proud at a sensational night onFacebook,Twitter,LinkedIn orInstagram at Doltone House. Arriving in show-stopping Gatsby fashions, . guests were photographed on the red carpet alongside a swag of famous faces including Turia, Ben Fordham, Michael Usher, Allison Langdon, Emma Freedman and Anthony Minichello. Ben Fordham proved a sensational MC, keeping the excited crowd entertained until the late hours. After successfully auctioning off some incredible prizes, to the crowd’s delight he accepted a dare from 60 Minutes’ Allison Langdon to include one last impromptu auction item - a date with Michael Usher. Turia’s very moving speech injected with her trademark humour saw guests laughing one second and reaching for tissues the next as they soaked up her inspiring presence. The support in the room for Turia and Interplast was palpable. Thank you to everyone who attended and supported this major fundraising event. Over to you Melbourne! Get excited Melbourne, because your very own special event with our remarkable ambassador, Turia Pitt is on Friday June 19. With Michael Usher as our Master of Ceremonies and Hilton Southwharf as our stunning backdrop Turia’s Interplast Gala (Melbourne) is an event not to be missed! Celebrate Turia’s incredible passion for Interplast’s work by joining us for an epic night of fun and fundraising. Turia is looking forward to meeting and mingling with lots of supporters on the night, as well as delivering a very special presentation. All money raised at this event will support Interplast’s life- changing work. Dress code for this event is Cocktail. Find out more and secure your tickets before they sell out. .

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