Interplast is an organisation that has just celebrated its 30th birthday. Mr Mutimer has been involved with Interplast for over 20 years and has travelled to Vietnam, Fiji, Tonga, Vanuatu, China and Sri Lanka as part of a plastic surgery team who have performed hundreds of operations to improve the lives of those who would not otherwise have had access to this surgery.

What is Interplast? We here at BPS know it very well but as Interplast articulate “we believe we’re Australia and New Zealand’s best kept secret.” Interplast’s intentions are simple. They exist to repair bodies and rebuild lives. They aim to build capacity, empower communities and leave a legacy.

In a nutshell, Interplast are a not-for-profit organisation working to improve the quality of life for people with a disability – who are disabled as a result of congenital or acquired medical conditions such as cleft lip and palate or burn scar contractures.

Interplast do this by sending fully qualified Australian and New Zealand volunteer plastic surgeons in Australia, anaesthetists, nurses and allied health professionals to the Asia Pacific region to provide free surgical treatment for patients who would otherwise not be able to afford access to such services.

For Interplast, it’s all about function and enabling full engagement in society. Interplast also pride themselves on their intentions to leave a legacy. The aim? To do themselves out of a job. Interplast focus heavily on facilitating medical training and mentoring for in-country medical personnel by supporting and building the capacity of local health services.

Quite simply, their purpose is to provide life-changing surgery today and sustainable health systems tomorrow. Mr Mutimers long involvement with the organisation now sees him sitting on the board of Interplast, assisting an inspiring team of dedicated individuals to see that Interplast continues to provide this life changing service today, tomorrow and for a long time to come.

If you would like to know more about Interplast, just ask the team when you come in or log onto www.interplast.org.au

(Image courtesy of Sarah Rhodes)