Samantha Clarke is the Victorian Ambassador for Mercy Ships Australia, where she shares the extraordinary life changing work of hospital ships bringing free surgery and medical care to communities in Africa. Samantha’s career has taken an unusual and interesting path, beginning as a hairdresser before moving into senior roles across community building, membership, philanthropy and impact driven organisations, including working for a former Prime Minister. Across every chapter of her career, Samantha has been driven by a desire to create meaningful change, bring people together, and contribute to a kinder and more compassionate world.

Talk Summary
Samantha’s presentation,   The Life Changing Work of Mercy Ships, introduces audiences to the remarkable work of Mercy Ships and its mission to provide free, safe surgical care to people who would otherwise have little or no access to medical treatment. Through powerful patient stories, behind the scenes insight and moving examples of transformation, Samantha shares how Mercy Ships restores health, dignity and hope, while also training local healthcare professionals and strengthening medical systems for the future.

David Crawford was a secondary school teacher in both state and private schools. He was always  interested in Indigenous history. In 1998, a mid-life career change created an opportunity to pursue this interest. David and his wife bought a licensed post office in Camberwell North. He heard from customers about their involvement with Aboriginal people which led to him being invited to join the local ANTaR (i.e. Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation) group. David later became the ANTaR local group convenor.

Topic - ANTaR (Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation)

ANTaR’s objectives are to raise awareness of Australia’s Indigenous history, appreciation of the world’s oldest living culture and to support Indigenous causes. Through meeting local Aboriginal and other Boroondara residents involved with Aboriginal people, David realised these stories of exceptional people were important, recording stories.

With a Council grant, he edited “Boroondara Connections”. At the meeting you will hear, for example, the stories of the Onus and Blair families