Interplast Making a Difference
Oct 17, 2017
Di Gillies
Interplast Making a Difference

Interplast was started in 1983 in a formal partnership between Rotary and the Royal College of Surgeons. It sends teams of volunteer plastic and reconstructive surgeons, anaesthetists, nurses and allied health professionals to provide life-changing surgery and medical training in 17 countries across the Asia Pacific region.

They do this in partnership with local organisations, including hospitals, universities and local NGOs. Interplast’s mission is to ‘repair bodies and rebuild lives’ by providing surgical services to those who could not otherwise afford or access these, and by building the capacity of local medical systems through training and mentoring programs.

Interplast is a fully accredited NGO with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), registered by the Australian Charities and Not For Profit Commission and is a signatory to the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) Code of Conduct.

Di was born in Auckland and completed her nursing training at Thames Hospital in New Zealand. She subsequently worked in hospitals in  Melbourne  and London before returning to settle in Melbourne where she settled and raised 3 children, now young adults.

She has been involved in numerous Not-For-Profit organisations over the last 20 years, and held a variety of positions of community service ranging from 10 years as School Board President to other Board, Grants assessment panels and Advisory Committee positions.

She is an active member of the Rotary Club of Balwyn  in roles such current President elect, Mentor to an Indigenous student, Donations In Kind, Youth Services Director, and although she’s not really sure how it happened, also D 9800  Conference 2018 Committee Chair.

Di took up the position of Rotarian Co-ordinator at Interplast early 2014, a role which involves supporting and co-ordinating advocates and Chairs for Interplast across all the Districts of Australia and New Zealand. She feels extremely proud and privileged to be involved with the work of Interplast and to have the opportunity to tell you about it.