Momentum Builds as the Ship Sets Sail!

It was a morning full of laughter, tears, and generosity as the Townsville civic and business community came together for the annual YWAM Medical Ship “Breakfast by the Sea” event, held at the Port of Townsville.
MC’d by Ewen Jones, Federal Member for Herbert, the crowd was drawn in by humour and captivated by the presentation of the needs of Papua New Guinea through different speakers including former prime minister of PNG and YWAM MSA PNG Patron, The Right Hon Sir Rabbie Namaliu CSM KCMG, as well as YWAM MSA Australia Patron, Hon Mike Reynolds, AM.
The response was overwhelming. The support shown was not just financial but also through offering supplies and even volunteering on board!

Significantly, 2013 marks the 30th anniversary of Townsville and Port Moresby’s ‘sister city’ relationship and early the next morning, as the ship began its voyage, it was a physical representation of that lasting bond between not only the cities, but PNG and Australia as well.
With a recently refurbished clinic and an additional zodiac, the reach to smaller, remote villages will be greater than ever before. The growth in access also comes alongside new programs this year such as HIV testing, tuberculosis health promotion, water and sanitation initiatives, and further training development for rural health workers.

All 10 I-DENT chairs and I-SEE kits were purchased and sent to Papua New Guinea on the ship when it sailed the next day! First to purchase an I-DENT chair was the Townsville Bulletin, auctioned off by Ewen Jones, MP. Thank you to them and the Townsville community for showing such generosity!