Australia Update #7: Wednesday-Thursday, January 24-25, 2007

The final countdown has begun as we are closing in on the end of our last week here. My projects at the Medical Center are coming to completion. One of the RN's, Sharon was off today on a bus for a 2 hour drive to "The Gold Coast" with 30 children to spend two days visiting a dental clinic. She asked if I would like to come along – I politely declined!! My overnight fieldtrip days are over! Anne, the other RN, and I spent most of the day revising the newly created Emergency Cart inventory and began to reorganize her "ER" area. She is thrilled with the information and plans to present a proposal to the Center's Board for funding approval to purchase the needed items.

We are planning a big final celebration with the Community Thursday evening – in the ground roast pig and all! I wonder if it will be as exotic as my "eel meal" in The Cook Islands? Similar to the Polynesians, the diet here seems to be full of carbs and starches, with added cold processed meats. However, we are being served lots of fresh fruit and veggies so my waist line is not expanding!

I spent some time yesterday with one of the Nigerian physicians – "Dr. Alex". Very pleasant. He and his wife, Dr. Janet, have been here for three years. When not here during the weekdays, they are "on-call" for the hospital over the weekends. There is no surgery available here. The hospital admits approx. 900-1000 patients per year. Complications from diabetes, alcohol intoxication, seizures and cellulitis (over 59yo) are included in the listed top 10 diagnoses. The nearest referring hospital with surgical services is 30 miles away.



My next update will probably be from Brisbane where I will be spending the weekend. Since it is not too far away, I hope to make a day visit to The Great Barrier Reef (Lady Elliot Island) on Sunday - photos. Then off to San Francisco via Sydney on Monday morning and get back the day I lost on the way here!




PHOTOS: A dinner guest, Steven playing the Didgeridoo – river cruise and lunch! in Brisbane – shots of Lady Elliot Island

Friday, Saturday, Sunday: January 19-21, 2007

Greetings from Brisbane – Cyndy, my cohort in crime, and I bailed out of Geriatric Central after lunch for a bus ride from Murgon to Brisbane for the weekend.

Brisbane is a wonderful city – Cindy had a leisurely day – sleeping and shopping. We met up for dinner at a nice restaurant in The Casino Saturday evening. I spent the day walking around the city and River bank and then spend a couple hours in the city's Botanical Gardens – about 40 acres. It was the original site for a food garden planted for the first settlers of the Moreton Bay Penal Colony established in the early 1800's.

Over the years many exotic plants and trees were planted to experiment what would grow in this tropical climate. It is beautifully laid out with expansive lawns, variety of trees, and a thick rainforest area. I found a delightful Café in the center and enjoyed a delicious healthy salad (photo) and some "vino collapso."

After lunch, I wandered around some more and ended down the Brisbane River bank walking along the path back toward Center City. There was a nice breeze coming off the river and temps in the 80's so it was quite pleasant. The city reminds me of Portland, OR though on a little larger scale – very manageable. By the way – a little city detail tid-bit: Prostitution is legalized in Australia with "licensed" government controlled brothels!!! NO I DIDN'T PARTAKE!!!!

We have planned a lunch cruise on a river boat today (Sun) to see the sights of The Brisbane River returning around 2PM in time to pick up our bus ride back to reality in Murgon (Cherbourg) – However, the really is that we only have 4 days left as next Friday is a National holiday – Australia Day (our Independence Day), and there will be no work to accomplish in the Community sooooooo we can leave that day if we wish instead of Saturday. YES!!!! For Cyndy and me, working at the Medical Center has been fun and rewarding and an easy time for us – all the staff – Aboriginal and Whites are delighted that we are there and thrilled at the work we are helping them with. It is a very welcoming and positive work site. I am hoping perhaps to go on some home visits with the nurses this coming week.

As an aside, The Indigenous Peoples do not recognize Australia Day - they call it "Invasion Day" and promote protest marches against the celebrations and parades that the white Australians put on. Should be an interesting experience as we will be back in Brisbane on that Friday.





Photos: Some of the Medical Center staff joined us for dinner – photo of Brisbane River and Gardens – (being in the heat of summer & drought – not a lot of flowering plants in this season – but can imagine it is gorgeous in The Spring & Fall

Australia Update #6: Wednesday, January 17, 2007

G'day from Cherbourg!

The heat has returned – after two days of welcome clouds and temperatures in the low 80's - the sun reappeared this morning and by 4PM it was back up into the mid-90's. I am appreciating my Medical Center assignment with AC more and more! Unfortunately, there still has been no appreciable rain here locally. Warren, our host, has said this drought has been going on for most of 5 years! If the rains do not come within the next two months – their remaining Summer – they will have to wait another 12 months!


Though I am having limited patient contact, I am continuing to be utilized by Ann and Sharon, the two RN's in helping planning Outreach programs,organizing their current stock of emergency supplies/equipment (limited) and identifying items they might consider (a lot!) The doctors have the only emergency meds – Epi – Atropine – Lido etc. in their own personal bags sooooo if they aren't around …..and most of their "pharmacy" inventory are samples procured from someone somewhere. However, pparently the funding is there from the Government (perhaps pay-off, guilt from past treatment/abuses of The Aboriginals - maybe?) so "the sky's the limit" – Lifepak 12 defib. with all the accessories – "No Worries, Mate"!

Another individual in the community died yesterday – now 6 in 3 weeks – This fellow had just returned from vacation – went back on the job and dropped with a heart attack – 50 years old. The funerals – two last week, two this week and one next brings community work to a halt – out of respect for the deceased – thus our work stops too. The Medical Center will close early Thursday and Friday though most places shut down totally. We were told that in some Aboriginal communities, the funeral/grieving traditions of time from death to burial can last up to 3 months and the entire place just stops everything – depending upon the position of the individual in the community, especially if an Elder!!

Since we will be closing at The Medical Center early on Friday probably by noon, this will enable me to catch an afternoon bus from the nearby town of Murgon into Brisbane for the weekend. I was so jet-lagged from the flight over when I arrived – I really didn't get a chance to poke around, so this will be another chance to explore.

Photos – Check out the Medical Center reception area – see any patients??? How about the flat screen? – all the staff comes out at lunchtime 12:30 – 1:30 (no visits scheduled!) and watches OPRAH (Meg Ryan was on that day!)

Cheers, jw

Australia Update #5: Monday, January 15, 2007

Day 7 and this morning, breakfast brought us back to reality post haste. Cyndy and I returned after a full weekend of 4x4 off-roading on Fraser Island. We couldn't wait to have a meal with the group!! The remaining hearty adventurers bumped around the area in their Thrifty Rent A Wreck.


On Friday after work, Kaz dropped us off in Maryborough an hour from Cherbourg – (on the Mary River) on her way to her home nearby with Jane spending the weekend. They are old friends from previous GV trips. Cyndy and I caught a bus for Hervey Bay (pronounced Harvey) an hour away on the coast – access to Fraser Island. The bus driver was a hoot and gave us lots of travel tips.


We had arranged an all day four-wheeling excursion on the island and were up to catch the ferry at 8AM for the 1 hour trip across the Bay. We quickly determined that this spot was a popular vacation place for Germans, Swedes, Dutch, and Japanese – get my drift!!! We picked a small tour group and did meet one other south Australian couple who spoke English. Out tour guide/drive Kirk was tri-lingual and was a great "wheeler" and informative guide.



Fraser Island is basically a sand island 100 long and 25 miles wide with amazingly abundant vegetation in some areas. These Uni-Mog vehicles were really interesting and Kirk knew his stuff. Having been so dry the sand roads were very soft and we needed every bit of traction. We were also shoulder-belted in our seats – and learned VERY quickly to keep bucked up. There is NO question that you could end up on the ceiling without the belts. It was a blast.At mid-day we stopped for a "barbie" where Kirk became chief and grilled up rib-eye steaks and fish. There was also an ample supply of Australian wine and XXXX lager! We returned back to our hotel at 7:30 PM and enjoyed another non-geriatric dinner – though realizing that the clock was ticking until our return to The Team but thankful for our brief respite. Kas and Jane picked us up again in Maryborough and the four of us had a fun few last hours of company and conversation.

Australia Update #3: Tuesday-Wednesday January 9-10

Initial team members meeting in The Brisbane Airport – June from Montana – Shannon my "Roomie" from Minnesota – Ruth from Alabama - Kaz our Australian Leader and Cindy, the Senior from Univ. of SFO. Warren (left) is in the other seated photos as we toured the Emu Farm.

The projects have begun! Yesterday we continued orientation of the area with Warren, the Council CEO taking us on a tour of the community and potential worksites. In the morning we met with The Mayor and some additional council members. The history of Cherbourg was shared along with a clearer understanding of the economic and cultural plight of all the Indigenous Peoples.

The current "self-governing" Council structure was established in 1986 – though most decisions, especially those involving financial concerns, are still "dictated" by the Government. As recent as in the late 70's, when it was "administrated" by the Government, there was even a distinct "White Zone" in town where the officials lived! Sound familiar? Prior to that there were also limitations and permits required for travel into and out of the community. It seems to be an interesting delicate balancing act between Local – State (Queensland) and Federal control, funding and spending. Cherbourg was originally established in 1904 as one of a number of government run "reserves" were Aboriginal peoples were forcibly moved and settled.

The Medical Center where I will be spending time is funded by the Federal Government and run by a separate organization and Board. The present facility, opened in 2002, is modern, light and airy, and quite impressive. It has a number of clinic rooms, admin. offices, with up to date computers, AV equipment, etc. It employs 2 full-time Nigerian doctors – husband and wife (Dr. Alex and Dr. Jane) – who have been here for 3 years – 2 RN's and an additional staff of 16 varied types of healthcare people! They have a whopping caseload of 300 "clients" annually!! Their funding comes from The Cherbourg Council and not the State or Fed. Govt. Intriguing expenditure of monies but they don't seem to be as constrained by bureaucracy. The State funded 30 bed (!) hospital in the town has its own MD's and nurses – rooms must be REALLY small. Additionally, there is a State funded "Community Health Center" that supposedly offers programs for "chronic" issues – diabetes – nutrition, etc. Appears to be much duplication of services but in actuality I'm not certain what substantive services are really provided, except on paper!.


Bruce, the health center manager, seems delighted to have me and we met today to begin planning where I might be utilized. There is interest in assisting with home visits and some basic staff emergency health care training. I have been invited to attend their staff meeting on Wednesday – so we shall see.

Australia Update 01/07/07

Sunday

Greetings from Cherbourg!! Six out of the 10 team members have arrived as scheduled - meeting at the Brisbane airport. The remaining 2 couples missed connections stateside yesterday and supposedly are expected today. Our Team Leader Kaz was off early in the AM back to the airport to retrieve them. Clipping along at 130 kph, it was a 4 hour drive from the airport North up the Coast and then West into the South Burnett Region. Allen out "coach" driver kept us entertained en route!

Departing from Brisbane and its suburbs, we drove through farm land and cattle grazing pastures. There has been enough recent rains to green up the grass. Besides fruits, there is a variety of crops grown in this area including peanuts and ginger. Arriving in nearby Murgon (pop. 6,000) we met out Host, Walter Collins, who as a government employee is the appointed head of the Cherbourg Community Council. We had dinner with him at the local "hotel" and then drove the last 7K to Cherbourg. Saturday night in Murgon!! Gotta love it!

Our "digs" remind me a little of The Kiiki Motel in The Cooks without the view BUT with complimentary cattle roaming through the yard! ….and they don't seem to sleep. We were cautioned about them and "aggressive" dogs (whatever that means) and loose horses! My "Roomie" for the stay, Shannon, a fellow from Minnesota and I decided better on keeping the doors open for a breeze. Each unit has a twin bedroom upstairs and a sitting room with pull-out down and our own bath and shower! I opted for down thank you. I am already missing the Stamford Plaza Hotel but this is certainly do-able for the time. Surprisingly the temperatures are remaining quite tolerable in the 80's with a breeze but are told that will soon change. On a positive note – I have found Cherbourg is a government subsidized community built for the Aboriginal Wakka Wakka Tribe. It has its own separate structure – The Council – but is ultimately "answerable" to the Queensland State government in addition to the Federal Govt. Similar issues and concerns to those of our Native American reservations are clearly apparent: unemployment – minimum income producing opportunities or development and substance abuse.

Today is a quiet day allowing those jet-laggers time to catch up. I am so glad I decided to come a couple days early and feel rested and ready to roll. Tomorrow, Monday, we hit the streets running meeting the various folks that we will be working with. I passed the "hospital" and it appears to be the size of a small clinic. Will know more later.

A few initial "bits and pieces"

• Land Rover sightings for the day – of interest probably only to Andrew!: 1 LR3; many Disco 1's - a good number with snorkels ; 2 late model 110's; a couple of 110's with flatbeds; and quite a few classic RR. Have not seen any Series trucks except one beater 109 nor any late model RR.


• Some interesting town names along the way: Gymbie; Mudjimba; Noosa Heads


• Passed Steve Irwin's famous Australia Zoo leaving Brisbane – Oh Crikey!


• Drivers' License: New Law after July 1st: Under 25 yo - limit to size of engine can drive!! No big 'ol V-8's. Huge crash statistics in 18 – 25 age group. Speed & alcohol


• Terminology: No Overtaking = No Passing; No worries = no problems; car hire = rental car; Give Way = Yield; white tea = tea w/milk (duh!); Caravan Park = RV Park. More to follow later.

Australia Update 01/05/07

Greetings from Brisbane!! My goodness it really is a long way over here – Including the flight from Bar Harbor to Portland, OR and then on to San Francisco – Sydney to Brisbane – I have flown over 23 hours, traveling 10,640 miles, my body-clock reeling from an 18 hour time change from the West Coast, AND Wednesday, Jan 3 rd simply disappeared!! PHEW However, it is mostly sunny and in the low 70's with frequent quick but soaking tropical showers passing through.

I am learning quickly that not only do folks drive on the left but they usually walk on the left side of the street. Needless to say, I have had a few close encounters venturing out today. The hotel where I am staying is right on the river ( Brisbane River) with lots of traffic of all types: "cat" ferries, sail and power boats. Breakfast this morning was quite civilized sitting out taking in the sites – might as well while I can!!

I did some last minute important shopping (M & M's and peanut butter) at the Queen Street Mall – biggest place I've ever been to. It occupies two full city blocks with 175+ stores and 40+ restaurants and "pubs"!! Maybe I can get a beer. The population is exploding and there is a great deal of building construction – clearly the appeal is the temperate climate except for increasing Summer heat for a month or so.

I am off tomorrow morning (Saturday for me) to meet the rest of the team and our leader "Kaz" at the airport. Kaz is Global Volunteer's "Country Manager" and an experienced leader. My friend, Marty, our Leader in The Cook Islands speaks highly of her and I look forward to working with her.

So…that's all for now – next stop Cherbourg – near the cattle town of Murgon, NW of Brisbane if you look at a map of Queensland. I am well and excited as another adventure unfolds…….Cheers, Jimmy