By KATH GANNAWAY
WHAT a way to finish an eventful year! Meeting Father Christmas at the Wandin Sunset Festival was just part of a huge week for Bradley Bola.
Bradley was back in Australia from Papua New Guinea for the third time to continue a series of operations sponsored by ROMAC (Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children).
The 18-year-old suffers from a condition called Crouzon Syndrome which affects the growth of the skull and results in abnormal growth of the head and face.
The complex and challenging operations, not available in PNG, began when he was just 18 months old with maxillofacial surgeon Associate Professor Andrew Heggie leading a team of doctors who donate their services.
He returned for more surgery when he was 10 and on 7 November, had what is expected to be the second-last operation in the life-saving series.
Wandin and Healesville Rotary clubs have taken Bradley under their broad wings to help make his latest stay memorable. Apart from helping transport Bradley to medical appointments, Rotarians have accompanied him to a Melbourne Storm game and to Healesville Sanctuary.
Wandin Rotarian Gavan McIntyre said Bradley was a likeable and clever young man who had made many friends in Melbourne during his visits.
“He really is a great guy who has touched everybody’s hearts over the years,” he said.
He has two brothers and a sister, along with his dad and mum, at home and wants to study to be a doctor.
ROMAC has been in operation for over 25 years, with Rotarians in Australia and New Zealand volunteering their time and expertise to run the program.
Many eminent Australian and New Zealand surgeons donate their services for the humanitarian program which has provided more than 350 children from more than 20 developing countries with urgent medical treatment, giving hope for the future.
