Nothing fuzzy about medical aid

By Melissa Donchi
THE Rotary Club of Healesville has donated tens of thousands of dollars worth of medical equipment and supplies to a village in Papua New Guinea as part of its international aid program.
The director of international services, Ken Lang, was assisted by fellow Rotarians Rae Church, John Robinson, David Laxenby and Dr Ian Tinney in packing 24 boxes for their third shipment so far, which included first-aid medical supplies, exercise books and stationery for villagers.
It was a particularly moving experience for Mr Lang who moved to help the people of Papua New Guinea after he discovered a a group called the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels had rescued his father during World War II.
“My father and a group of 10 other men were cut off behind enemy lines for 39 days,” Mr Lang said. “Only two survived – my father and another man.”
The men were later found in a desperate condition and thankfully were rescued by the native mountain people.
“Our soldiers were carried to safety by these brave men,” Mr Lang said. “I find it hard to believe that nothing has ever been done in recognition for those people.”
In 1998, Mr Lang went back with his father and a group of 45 veterans who participated in the battle. When his dad passed away a few years later he decided to go back there again and realised there was a dire need for education and medical supplies.
“I remember my father talking about the help from the native mountain people and that there had never been any recognition for what they did,” Mr Lang said. “At first I didn’t know how to help, but then I spoke to the people at Healesville Rotary and it all went from there.”
Mr Lang will visit Papua New Guinea for the third time this month to walk the Kokoda Track for the 65th anniversary of the Isurova conflict.
Another visit is scheduled to take place next year to see how else Healesville Rotary can assist the village people.
“These people get no support from the government, so it’s the least we can do,” Mr Lang said.