The VOSO team in Papua New Guinea in 2009: drivers Paul and Peter, Michael Oni, Dr David Murdoch, nurse Elizabeth Nawa and Dr David Pendergrast. Front row: Lois Pendergrast, Dr Rosemary Murdoch and Kylie Dreaver

Christchurch-based optometrist Amy Lee has joined Volunteer Ophthalmic Services Overseas (VOSO) as the charity’s new trustee.

Lee recently became a locum optometrist to gain more autonomy, allowing her to give back to the community outside clinical optometry, she said. “I chose to volunteer for VOSO as it was a great opportunity, combining my love for organising and event planning, optometry and travel. I've always had a special affinity for the Pacific nations after backpacking through the islands. Fast forward several years later and I returned and was married on one of the Pacific Islands too.”

Amy Lee

VOSO secretary and Kiwi optometrist Kylie Dreaver said VOSO had been keen to appoint a South Island-based trustee and Lee had already been very helpful liaising with the Lions clubs in Rangiora and Cromwell. “It's great that Amy has joined VOSO, bringing some fresh young energy to the charity. She's very enthusiastic and helps me with everything from secretary work to delivering optometry care to the Pacific.”

While VOSO was unable to make any trips to the Pacific in 2020 due to Covid-19, the charity still supported eye care in Tonga, Samoa and Fiji by sending surgical supplies, optical frames and recycled glasses and sunglasses.

The charity has been generously helped by Nassau Logistics in Auckland, said Dreaver. “Jackie Nassau managed to freight everything in containers already travelling to the Islands. We really appreciate her hard work and the container owners’ generosity. We anticipate another year of no travel but will continue to help where and however we can, including sending surgical supplies, donated glasses and optical frames.”

Dr David Murdoch Scholarship

In other news, a generous donation by Auckland-based benefactor, Dr Rosemary Murdoch has allowed VOSO to establish a new scholarship for a local ophthalmology registrar to travel to Papua New Guinea. The scholarship is named in honour of Dr Murdoch’s late husband, ophthalmologist Dr David Murdoch, with whom she led many VOSO trips to Papua New Guinea. “Bougainville and its planning took up so much of David's time in the 10 years we were going there. The registrars who came with us added to the whole adventure and David would have wanted to facilitate future trips to keep people grounded in this high-tech age as to how much good can be done relatively simply in these places,” she said.

While the details of the scholarship and application process are yet to be finalised, Dreaver said the donation, which was matched by the New Zealand Government, has been passed to the Christian Blind Mission in Papua New Guinea to manage, with Dr Murdoch’s blessing.