Medical Ships - Australia

news updateMay 2012 edition

G’day from KenOur ship is looking amazing after having a myriad of volunteer workers crawling over every last detail to ensure we’re ready to sail. Survey completed, radios checked, new medical equipment loaded, supplies on board, engine room ready, bridge and new computers ready, galley stocked, bunkered (fuel loaded) and we are on our way to PNG for the next six months. Our outreaches have truly begun with a great boost last week with former PNG Prime Minister, the Right Honourable Sir Rabbie Namaliu CSM KCMG, flying into Townsville to show his strong support by speaking at our annual YWAM Medical Ship fundraiser. Thank you for your part in our amazing team, I look forward to updating you on our progress!

www.ywamships.org.au

Ken Mulligan - CEO YWAM Medical Ships - Australia

The YWAM Medical Ship has begun its journey back to Papua New Guinea! After seven months of preparations, refurbishments, scheduling, and planning, the ship set sail on 30 April. In the next six months, seven outreaches will take place, including one outreach focused on the nation’s capital, Port Moresby.

YWAM Medical Ships Australia (YWAM MSA) will continue to develop the sister city relationship between Townsville, (where the Medical Ship is based), and Port Moresby. Though the deepest needs of the country are felt in the more rural areas, YWAM MSA believes a stronger connection between Townsville and Port Moresby will enable a greater and lasting impact for the entire country of PNG.

This outreach to Port Moresby will be the fourth outreach out of the seven outreaches to PNG. The first three will concentrate on the Gulf Province, while the last three will serve the Western Province.

Last year, the YWAM Medical Ship was able to help thousands of people, as well as train locals and upskill PNG health care workers. YWAM MSA will continue to partner with PNG, from the individuals in the rural villages through to the government officials. YWAM MSA operates in an effort to serve neighbours locally and internationally, build up the communities of PNG and Australia, care for those in need, and connect with individuals and organisations who have a desire to see change in this world.

All Aboard! The YWAM Medical Ship is on it’s way!

The YWAM Medical Ship sets sail from it’s port in Townsville, PNG bound!

For more information:Address: PO Box 1959 Townsville QLD 4810 AustraliaPhone: +61 7 4771 2123 Fax: +61 7 4772 4414Email: info@ywamships.org Web: www.ywamships.org.au

Thanking our Partners:

Preparing to Sail

Purser, Jeana Wiemeyer, going over safety plans for the ship.

Engineer, Matt Scott, painting the last few bits and pieces.

Housekeeper, Maddie Smith, vacuuming the stairs to the accommodation area.

Chief Steward, Beth Faragher, organising supplies in the Galley.

Engineer, Gerald Bengesser, and Captain Jeremy Schierer sorting out some of the final details!

Performers, Proper Way and TAFE Foreign Exchange students from PNG, welcome the Right Honourable Sir Rabbie Namaliu CSM KCMG, and his wife, Lady Namaliu, to the fundraiser event.

Former Prime Minister Shares at Fundraiser!

The final touches have been made and the ship is now off to PNG! Check out the photos below of the last few weeks of preparation before sailing...

It was a breakfast fundraiser like none other at the YWAM Townsville centre on the 26 of April. Guests had the privilege of hearing from keynote speaker, the Right Honourable Sir Rabbie Namaliu CSM KCMG, former Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea (PNG). With his understanding of what PNG has to offer, as well as the struggles they face, the former Prime Minister shared in support of the medical ship’s work, and offered key strategies for strengthening the growing relationship between Townsville and PNG.

Guests were greeted with traditional Maori, Fijian, and Papua New Guinean song and dance lead by Properway Productions, PNG TAFE exchange students, and YWAM Medical Ships Australia (YWAM MSA) staff from a variety of countries including New Zealand, Australia, Papua New Guinea, the United States, Fiji, Tonga, and South Korea.

In addition to hearing from the former Prime Minister, other speakers had the chance to share and inspire, including YWAM MSA’s patron, the Honourable Mike Reynolds AM, and advocates, Jeff Wall, CBE, and Peter Honeycombe.

The morning was a great way to connect Townsville individuals, organisations, and businesses with the medical ship, and each other, emphasising that working together produces better results.

Deckhand, Phil Rentsch, finishing up the welding.