Children on the island of Ataura now have access to emergency medical evacuations and hopefully regular clinics with the introduction of the Sea Ambulance. Rotary clubs in Australia
and Japan and The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International have supported the project.

President Lynne McCormack, of the Rotary Club of New Lambton, N.S.W., and President Stephen Dunn, of the Rotary Club of Dili, Timor Leste, after the presentation of the traditional scarf and hat.

In October, 1999, after the bloody withdrawal of the Indonesian military, there was no effective or existing useful ambulance service in Timor Leste.

Many Australian paramedics volunteered their services to Timor Leste in the turmoil following elections and on return described the lack of services for ill and injured to (President) Lynne McCormack (Lawson) of the Rotary Club of New Lambton, N.S.W.

Her club supported an investigation into assisting establishment of an ambulance service in Timor Leste and she travelled on a Carl P. Miller Grant from The Rotary Foundation of R.I. in January, 2002, to Timor Leste to explore the possibility of such a project.

This visit gave Lynne McCormack the opportunity to promote the services of Rotary and in return learn of the developing situation in Timor Leste.

It also helped her to identify where needs would be best met within the funds being raised and the proposed ambulance service.

From meetings with the Minister of Health Doctor Rui de Araujo in Timor Leste and AusAID, a project evolved that was twofold – assisting the training of ambulance personnel and outfitting a sea ambulance for the island of Ataura.
A boat, VB2000, donated by Carlton Breweries was idle in the harbour waiting for a purpose. With a purpose identified, VB2000 was requisitioned by health officials and the project took roots.

On her return to Australia, Lynne McCormack as New Lambton’s international director at the time, talked about assisting people in Timor Leste to many Rotary clubs in District 9670 and at the District 9670 conference.

A feasible project was developed and Lynne McCormack organised the fund raising with New Lambton club.
The project touched many people . . . church groups and numerous Rotary clubs at home and overseas the Rotary Club of Ishikawa in Japan heard about the project from the Rotary Club of Toronto Sunrise, N.S.W. Ishikawa is a club with 34 members.