Munjed Al Muderis captivates audience at 2016 MercyCare Oration
More than 600 guests attended this year’s MercyCare Oration, held at the Hyatt Regency Perth on 22 September.
The audience was captivated by the incredible life story of orator Munjed Al Muderis, the pioneering surgeon who came to Australia as an asylum seeker.
Mr Al Muderis recounted his life story, describing his experiences as a one-time refugee turned orthopaedic surgeon, author, and human rights activist.
As a first-year resident doctor in Iraq, Mr Al Muderis was forced to flee his homeland after he rejected Saddam Hussein’s brutal orders to amputate the ears of Iraqi army deserters.
Invited to speak at this year’s MercyCare Oration, Mr Al Muderis recounted his life story, describing his experiences as a one-time refugee turned orthopaedic surgeon, author, and human rights activist. Photo: Supplied
After surviving a harrowing boat trip, he arrived in Australia and was sent to Curtin Immigration Detention Centre where he spent 10 long months before finally being granted a visa to stay.
Driven by his selfless mission to change the lives of amputees, Mr Al Muderis continued his career in medicine to become a world leader in osseointegration surgery – a ground breaking technique that has enabled amputees, including soldiers wounded in war zones, the ability to walk again.
MercyCare Chief Executive Officer Chris Hall said Mr Al Muderis had been invited to present this year’s Oration because his poignant personal story and advocacy work closely aligned with MercyCare’s support for refugees and asylum seekers.
“The Oration is designed to raise awareness, educate, inspire and change people’s perceptions of an issue through the telling of one person’s story,” Mr Hall said.
“We hope that Munjed’s experiences resonated deeply with the wider community, and promoted a better understanding about why people seek asylum and the challenges they face when they arrive in Australia.”
(L-R) Belinda Bosley; Chair of MercyCare Board, Mary Woodford; Munjed Al Muderis and MercyCare CEO Chris Hall at the 2016 MercyCare Oration, held on 22 September 2016. Photo: Supplied
This year’s event was attended by leaders from the WA business community, as well as Auxiliary Bishop of Perth Donald Sproxton, Peter Abetz MLA, and representatives from the MercyCare Board and Trustees, Sisters of Mercy and Corporate Partners.
“We hope the audience at the Oration gained a profound understanding of the courage of refugees pursuing a better life while recognising the enormous contribution they can make to our society – socially, culturally and economically,” said Mr Hall.
This year, the Oration was used as a platform to launch MercyCare’s ‘Keys to Life Fund’.
The fund aims to unlock opportunities in our community for people seeking asylum by providing small grants to help bridge the gap to work, education and community connection. Donations can be made via the MercyCare website by Clicking Here.
MercyCare is a leading Catholic provider of aged care, family, health, disability and community services. We employ over 1000 staff and 175 volunteers, delivering more than 40 person-centred programs and services, from over 35 locations throughout Western Australia.