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mda australia activities
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2011 INTERNATIONAL MDA AUSTRALIA NATIONAL CONFERENCE (IMDAC)
23rd-26th October 2011
- a report by GLYNIS LIPSON,
President, MDA Australia and Vice-Chair, IMDAC
The 2011 IMDAC opened on Sunday, October 23rd, with the dedication of the new MDA Jerusalem station.
The event, held in the presence of the New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, his sister Marjorie Tiven,
Israeli Interior Minister Eli Yishai, the Chief Rabbis of Israel, the Mayor of Jerusalem Nir Barkat,
MDA President, Yehuda Skornick and MDA Director-General, Eli Bin, was also attended by MDA staff and
volunteers and MDA Friends Societies representatives from around the world.
The new Jerusalem facility, dedicated to the memory of Michael Bloomberg's father, William Henry Bloomberg,
was officially opened by MDA President, Professor Yehuda Skornick (pic left).
"Respect for parents is the most basic commandment that makes us human," said Professor Skornik. "It is this
commandment which separates us from other species on earth. Parents watch over their children, and do this out
of biological instinct. What other species on earth look after their elderly, their parents? Our parents sacrifice
a lot for us during their lives and we ask ourselves all our lives whether we are worthy of their investment.
Mr.Bloomberg has done, and continues to do much for the Jews in his country. But tonight at the inauguration of
this structure, which will be used to save the lives of Jews, here in the Holy City and in Israel in general,
Michael Bloomberg does his father proud, and responds to his father's investment in his son."
After affixing the "mezuzah" to the entrance of the new station, Mayor Bloomberg said, "For my sister Marjorie
and me, it is the most significant moment since we became donors to Magen David Adom. If it were not for our dear
father, I don't think we would have been exposed to the many activities of this organisation, which is unique in its
ability, desire and purpose of its work for the people of all nations and all countries regardless of ethnicity or creed.
"The new facilities in this building are intended to serve the needs of blood donors in Israel and to bring the public
closer to MDA, and to turn the building into a home for everyone. Our father, to whom this station is dedicated, rarely
left America. However he always donated to Israel and to Jerusalem. I know that he would see this as a most worthy donation
to the Jewish people of Jerusalem.
"My father's sense of justice went hand in hand with his developed sense of charity. He believed in giving charity to
those in need, untiringly and unsparingly. He believed that history teaches us that we are all here thanks to actions and
not thanks to words, and that is why I am so proud to be here, in the Promised Land, and to stand before you at this moving ceremony.
"I am proud that my father's name will be forever associated with the leading medical organisation in the world
- Magen David Adom in Israel".
Early Monday morning (October 24th), IMDAC delegates left for a tour to dedicate a new MDA station in Bat Hefer built by the
UK Friends Society. The town was founded in 1995, is on the "green line" and houses about 1400 young families.
From there, we travelled to the scene of the Carmel fires, seeing many areas still blackened from the devastating fire.
A very moving ceremony was held in memory of Haifa Police Chief, Ahuva Tomer, and the other victims who perished in the fire.
Many lessons were learnt from this disaster - especially the need for different types of vehicles to be added to the MDA fleet.
Two new Command and Control Vehicles, the first of their kind in Israel, were dedicated by the Dutch and French Societies.
Numerous other standard and mobile Intensive care ambulances were also dedicated including a standard ambulance from MDA Victoria
donated by the Estate of the late Icyk Reiser.
A new all-terrain TOMCAR vehicle was dedicated by MDA Australia (pic left).
A visit to the Druze village of Isofia then followed where we met many of the young Druze MDA volunteers, learned much about
Druze life and enjoyed an incredible lunch, Druze-style.
From there, we travelled to Nesher to dedicate a new station built by MDA UK (pic right). Nesher is home to many people from former Soviet bloc
countries and from Ethopia. The day finished with a very enjoyable day for dinner at Haifa University.
The next two days were spent in session discussing the varied activities of MDA Israel over the past 12 months. We also heard
from the Friends Societies from around the world, learning from one another, and sharing ideas.
Guest speaker, MK Shaul Mofaz, Chairman of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee, reviewed the challenges and
threats facing the State of Israel in the wake of the developments in the Arab countries and the changes amongst the
Palestinians. Mofaz spoke about the professionalism of MDA, and the devotion and sacrifice of the workers and volunteers.
"Your support of MDA strengthens the State of Israel. Since the transition from routine to emergency is usually sudden, almost
immediate in our region, MDA's professional ability and flexibility are most important for enabling the country to react to
events such as these", he said.
On the final evening of the Conference, we heard two very emotional stories of MDA personnel saving the lives of strangers.
One of these was a meeting between Bar Belfer, journalist and reporter for the army radio station, "Galei Tzahal", and chief MDA
Paramedic, Rami Miller, who was the first to offer her aid after she was seriously injured in a road accident two years earlier.
Seeing them together, and hearing their story, brought tears to everyone's eyes.
MDA Director-General closed the conference thanking all the Friend Societies for their ongoing support, and for their generous
donations which allow MDA to continue its vital work both in Israel and abroad.
The Australian delegation to IMDAC 2011
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