Rotary’s generous assistance

Ballarat West Rotary Club in Australia has organized a consignment of goods estimated to be worth $100,000 to be shipped to the Cook Islands.

The goods are destined mainly for our Dental Services, schools and Red Cross in Rarotonga and the hospital and high school in Aitutaki.
The Herald spoke with Dr David Goldsmith, a Dentist by profession and International Director of Rotary in Ballarat West, Victoria, Australia on Monday afternoon at the Dental Services Office. Goldsmith is heading a team of 16 people, one is from Sweden and one is from Germany. 12 members arrived Friday with 4 to arrive.
Dr Goldsmith said the aims and objectives of the programme (Dental Priorities identified by the Chief Dental Officer, Dr George Hosking) were;
1. A Preventive Dental Health program for Cook Islands children
2. A new Dental Prosthetic Lab. For Rarotonga
3. A new Dental prosthetics lab. for Aitutaki
4. Renovating the dental surgery and kitchen facilities at Aitutaki Hospital
5. Clinical work and training by Ballarat Dentists in Dental Prosthetics, Implants, Orthodontics, Endodontics and Equipment maintenance
6. General support for the Cook Islands community via Rarotonga Rotary Club with donations from Rotary D9780 Donations-in-Kind e.g. school books, computers, medical and kitchen equipment for Aitutaki Hospital and Aitutaki College.
The container with its 6 tonne load of goods includes dental equipment, kit set furniture for the Dental Clinic, books, desks, chairs, and 12 computers for schools and boxes of clothing for Red Cross. Half of the goods which include wheel chairs, will go to Aitutaki where the hospital and high schools will benefit. Goldsmith says he and members of the team are looking to head for Aitutaki next Tuesday/Wednesday.
Two personnel came with the group to assemble the kit set furniture. The group includes dentists, dental nurses and assistants, dental therapists, a dental equipment installation engineer, a dental prosthetist, a Specialist Orthodontist (first week only) a general dentist with a special interest in dental implants and an Endodontist.
Also accompanying the group are an engineer, a builder and a primary school teacher.
Dr Goldsmith said thanks are also due to the Rarotonga Rotary Club which also contributed funds and together with $16,990 in funds from Ballarat South Rotary Club, the Rotary Foundation provided a matching grant.
This is the second year Rotary Australia has assisted the Cook Islands. Dr Goldsmith says Rotary has previously assisted Tonga and did so over a four year period.
The assistance to the Cook Islands stems from a visit to a workshop in Australia by George Hosking.

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