Godden Memorial Hospital gets a dentistry boost from a multi-district, multi-club, multi-year Rotary project in Ambae, Vanuatu

Godden Memorial Hospital was built on Ambae Island Vanuatu in 1936 as a direct result of tragic circumstances in both Bundaberg and Lolowai during the "blackbirding’’ period of human trafficking into Qld from our Pacific Island neighbours. Father Charles Godden was murdered in 1906 and Godden Memorial Hospital built was built on Ambae island as a memorial within a kilometre of his grave.

Rotarian Rod Kestle of the Rotary Club of Onehunga One Tree Hill, Auckland was instrumental in gaining three Rotary Foundation Global Grants for a full major refurbishment of this, the third largest hospital in Vanuatu. Commencing in 2013, roofing, trusses, septic, plumbing, electrical, painting, windows and doors—everything beautifully constructed to a high standard. Some local Torgil Rural College students were also engaged to assist the volunteer trades and Rotarians coming from New Zealand.

Bundaberg West Rotary Club in Queensland was approached to assist with painting the maternity ward, inside and out. During this period in late 2016, Rotarian Phil Saxby noticed the dental clinic was also in need of refurbishment. Three shipping containers of linen, hospital, medical and dental equipment were subsequently shipped from Queensland during 2017 and 2018, one direct from Bundaberg and others through ‘’Donations in Kind’’ situated then at Darra.

Unfortunately, full installation and checking of the installed dental equipment was interrupted by lack of sufficient electrical supply to the hospital, followed by two severe volcanic eruptions with total evacuation of all Ambae island residents during 9/2017 and 4/2018. By the time the islanders drifted back to their homes, the onset of COVID travel restrictions further interrupted any continuation of the dental clinic installation. The dental clinic was finally fully installed in February 2023, some six years after it was commenced. All tools utilised for the equipment installation have been donated to the hospital workshop.

Early August 2023, Rotarian Ross Stewart of Carindale Rotary Club accompanied Rotarian Phil Saxby now of Rotary Club of Brisbane along with Dr Len Boulton, to provide the first restorative dental services into Lolowai Hospital. Another Bundaberg dentist Dr Adrian Frick is due to travel in November 2023 to provide further dental treatment in this hospital which services the combined 30,000 population of Ambae, Pentecost and Maewo in Penama Province of Vanuatu. A registered nurse has been supplied by hospital management to be trained in dental assisting.