A team of 10 Rotarians from the Great Lakes, Manning adn Central Coast travelled to the province at the end of April to complete the centre.

Started by the Papua New Guinea Government 10 years ago, medical aid workers had been making do with an unfinished centre and few facilities.

Bulahdelah resident Laurence Smith accompanied team leader Galstone Rotary Club member Harley Newham and eight others. This was Laurence’s second trip to Papua New Guinea on a Rotary project.

“My father was there in World War II and he always spoke highly of (the locals),” Laurence said.

During his last trip he spent time working in the Kokoda Valley on a similar project.

“Everything was new to look at; there are a lot of villages on the shore,” Laurence said.

Once in the country members met at the Mambare River where the only method of transport was by five 23 feet open boats with 40 horse power outboards.

The team travelled seven hours on the water to Ioma.

Two days after arriving in the country the team were inspecting the building, sorting out materials and getting started on their work.

Laurence and two others were sent off, again by boat, with a shopping list after it was discovered the steel water tanks had been erected earlier but the joints were not sealed, leaving gaping holes.

“We left Ioma village at 6.30am and travelled down the river and out into the ocean before a half hour drive to Popondetta and the hardware shop,” Laurence said.

Returning two days later the three members had picked up several plastic tanks in Popondetta and other supplies.

For the remainder of their stay the team worked on completing the medical centre.

Glass and fly screens were cut and fitted to the windows and the tanks were installed with water pumps and internal plumbing connected to the building.

Panelling was completed and all rooms, external windows and the front verandah were given a new coat of paint.