Children's Surgical Centre (CSC)
Phnom Penh, Cambodia - 2006
The key factors that contributed to the decision to focus on Cambodia were:
• Carl had undertaken just such an elective in 2006. This had an enduring impact on him. The scholarship would enable other young doctors to experience the same opportunity.
• The Dean of Medicine, Professor Bruce Robinson had a keen interest in assisting the Cambodian people. In 2006, he had heard Carl’s talk about his Cambodian placement.
• In 2008, Professor Robinson was in the process of creating academic links and opportunities for students in both Australia and Cambodia. Through the Dean’s Scholarships, students were assisted with elective placements and he was encouraging others to assist. When we met with Dr Robinson to discuss the creation of Carl’s Scholarship as part of the Medical Department, Cambodia as the beneficiary was suggested.
• In the 1980s, Cathy worked, at Bankstown TAFE, on the Cambodian Refugee Program. The Program interpreter was the wife of the illustrator of the ‘Killing Fields’. Both these young people were the sole surviving members of their families. Their plight and the injustices that had been inflicted on their people created an empathy that had not dulled with time.
• We hope that Carl’s scholarship will provide a small but meaningful contribution to the most needy in Cambodia, and will also provide valuable experience to Australian medical students.