YWAM

Care Army Journey Begins in Townsville

Here at YWAM Townsville, we are helping to extend the reach of Queensland’s Care Army across the state’s north by coordinating our local volunteers to provide much-needed support to seniors through the pandemic. The Minister for Communities and Minister for Disability Services and Seniors and Member for
Mundingburra Coralee O’Rourke visited us today to see first-hand the role we are playing in rolling out the Care Army in Townsville.

The Care Army was announced on April 1 by Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, as a way to look out for those most at risk from COVID-19. Mrs O’Rourke said the Care Army’s main aim was to help seniors stay home and stay safe.

“We know that people who are aged over 70, 65 years and older with a chronic health condition or over 50 if they’re of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent are particularly at risk of serious complications from this virus,” she said. “The Care Army plays a crucial role in making sure older Queenslanders have enough food, access to all their medication needs, and are able to stay socially connected while isolating in their homes.

Here at YWAM we play a key role in coordinating the Care Army in Townsville, working with local community groups to pinpoint the greatest need for volunteers. We will connect vulnerable Queenslanders to the volunteers and community groups that can deliver the requested support.

For more information, visit:  https://www.covid19.qld.gov.au/carearmy

Interview with Coralee O’Rourke Final .wav

Volunteers Support Flood-Affected Residents

Volunteers have visited almost 13,000 homes in flood-affected suburbs to check on the wellbeing of residents.

Youth With A Mission (YWAM) is working with Townsville City Council, the combined churches and 99.9 Live FM to speak with residents and hear how they are doing and provide information and referrals to support services. 

Townsville Local Disaster Management Group Chair Mayor Jenny Hill – who was out with volunteers on the weekend – said the volunteers have played an important role in the recovery.

“The information collected by the YWAM and community volunteers will help flood-affected residents recover by understanding what individuals and families need to get them back on their feet,” Cr Hill said.

“Each resident has a different story and may require specific services to ensure they are able to recover from these unprecedented floods.

“Even the act of going to these homes and spending time with residents to ask how they are coping after the floods can have a powerful positive impact.”

The Lions Club have also supported the initiative by providing lunch for the volunteers every day. 

Townsville Local Recovery and Resilience Chair Deputy Mayor Les Walker said YWAM has also opened its doors to people in need.

“YWAM is providing emergency housing and medium-term accommodation for flood-affected residents on Blackwood Street in the city,” Walker said.

“YWAM has also taken in workers who’ve come to Townsville to help with the recovery – and there are still beds available for short-term accommodation.”

Townsville Welcomes a New Medical and Training Ship for PNG!

Our friends at YWAM Medical Ships have a new Medical and Training Ship arriving here in Townsville on Friday!

A 65-metre supply vessel, the MV l’Astrolabe, has been acquired by YWAM Medical Ships for their work in Papua New Guinea (PNG).

The MV l’Astrolabe, soon to be renamed the MV YWAM Liberty, will be the fourth vessel to be deployed by YWAM Medical Ships into PNG, joining the MV Pacific Link and the MV YWAM PNG which are both currently serving in PNG, and the MY RUACH, due to join the fleet later this year.

Director of YWAM Medical Ships PNG, Mr Ken Mulligan, said that the acquisition of the MV YWAM Liberty represents hope for tens of thousands of people with critical health and training needs in PNG.

“The healthcare challenges in PNG are very unique because of the remoteness. In collaboration with PNG’s National Department of Health and provincial health authorities, we’ve reached hundreds of remote villages with healthcare and training through both the MV YWAM PNG and the MV Pacific Link.

“To have four vessels serving the remote coastal and island regions of PNG is nothing short of a miracle, it shows what is possible through collaboration and team work,” said Mr Mulligan

Mr Mulligan remembers one little girl named Mandy who was blind at six years of age due to cataracts. “To see the joy in her parents faces as she had surgery on board the ship that restored her sight after three years of being blind was an amazing privilege.”

And the privilege extends to thousands more. Since 2010, YWAM Medical Ships have delivered 648,062 healthcare services and training to 145,567 people.

Director of YWAM Medical Ships PNG, Mr Brett Curtis, said the operations of the vessel will be a collaborative effort between national and provincial health authorities, YWAM Ships Kona, Hawaii and a range of YWAM centres from around the world.

“We recognize that the dream and vision on our hearts cannot be done alone – there are so many other people that have strengths and resources that they bring to the table. Working together around a shared vision is what I believe will make this venture a success.

“In addition to our colleagues in Townsville and Newcastle, Australia, we will have partners joining us from Norway, Singapore, and New Zealand. It is an exciting time to dream together about what could be!” said Mr Curtis.

YWAM Medical Ships Patron for Papua New Guinea, Sir Rabbie Namaliu, also expressed his support of the new vessel, saying he is delighted to see YWAM’s work expanding in PNG.

“Over 84% of our population live in rural areas – our medical ships are helping to combat isolation by accessing remote villages with healthcare and training.

“The MV YWAM Liberty large cargo capacity and helideck will enable us to deliver supplies and access even more remote areas via helicopter – this truly is an exciting expansion,” said Sir Rabbie.

The MV YWAM Liberty is due to arrive into Townsville, Australia for the first time on Friday. YWAM Medical Ships PNG will be re-purposing the vessel over the coming months in preparation for her maiden voyage to PNG.

For more information check out www.ywamships.org.au

Townsville Community Show Their Support for Papua New Guinea

Over 350 members of the local business community will gather Wednesday morning for a memorable breakfast experience at YWAM Medical Ships annual fundraiser, “Breakfast by the Sea”.

Guests will come together at YWAM’s Medical Ship, the MV YWAM PNG, to celebrate the remarkable stories of lives transformed while raising funds for the MV YWAM PNG’s upcoming outreach to Papua New Guinea (PNG).

Honoured guests in attendance include Queensland Premier, Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk, Federal Member for Herbert, Ms Cathy O’Toole, Labor Senator for Queensland, Senator Claire Moore, State Member for Townsville, Mr Scott Stewart, YWAM Medical Ships PNG Patron and former Prime Minister of PNG, Sir Rabbie Namaliu and Australian Patron, Honourable Mike Reynolds.

Queensland Premier, Ms Annastacia Palaszczuk, said that she was honoured to be attending the event.

“The MV YWAM PNG and her team of volunteers are delivering vital healthcare and training services to remote areas in PNG – our nearest international neighbour.

“I’m very proud to have the YWAM Medical Ship based out of North Queensland, it is a joy for me to celebrate and support the incredible outcomes that have been achieved alongside other members of the community.

“The generosity that has been extended to PNG via the medical ship from the Townsville community really is outstanding and quite unique, the event tomorrow should be another excellent extension of that support,” said Premier Palaszczuk.

The MV YWAM PNG has been in Townsville for the last three months undergoing further renovations before her return to PNG next week. The completed renovations include the construction of an improved patient waiting area outside the clinics, a medical re-stock room, a training space for local healthcare workers and the addition of an extended-range patrol tender.

Townsville schools have also been supporting the YWAM Medical Ship by collecting toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap and glasses for the upcoming outreach. Over 4,800 items have been collected over the last three months.

YWAM Medical Ships’ Managing Director, Mr Ken Mulligan, said that he was grateful for Townsville’s strong support as their operations continue to grow and expand.

“We are so thankful for the way that our city has embraced YWAM Medical Ships over the years, first with the MV Pacific Link and now with the MV YWAM PNG, it really has been a wonderful journey.

“It is important to gather together and commemorate what has been achieved while considering what our part is to play as we move forward – that is what tomorrow is all about,” said Mr Mulligan.

The MV YWAM PNG and her team of volunteers will set sail for an eight-month deployment to the Southern Region and Huon Gulf on Wednesday.

Since the beginning of this year, over 80 volunteers from Townsville have participated in YWAM Medical Ships work in PNG, helping to deliver healthcare and training to over 30,000 patients in 171 villages.

Local supporters of YWAM Medical Ships work in PNG include Port of Townsville, 1300SMILES, Honeycombes Property Group, Puma Energy, Parkside Development Group, Network Communications, Australian Aid, Northern Management Group, Lancini Property Development, Townsville Bulletin, Townsville City Council, Medical Dental Solutions, Lions Recycle for Sight, Coutts Reddington, Pacific Marine Group, Universal Cranes, Rosshaven Marine, Wilson/Ryan/Grose Lawyers, PwC, 99.9 Live FM, NQ Cowboys, and Food Relief NQ.