If the ancient Polynesian art of canoe building and navigation by traditional methods survives then Gold Coast doctors and a group of Lions will have played a major part. As a navigator and one of the last living experts on such methods, Chief Moses Memuana of Taumako in the Eastern Temotu Province of the Solomon Islands was a key to keeping the tradition alive ... until about 10 years ago when he became severely sight-impaired due to cataracts in both eyes. Because of this lack of vision, Chief Moses could not carve his people's canoes or teach them how to navigate by the stars and sea swells.

Now that has changed. The sight of Chief Moses has suddenly improved due to two eye operations on the Gold Coast in December and the combined efforts of the Lions Club of Mudgeeraba, along with Lion Dr John Kearney, Lion Dr Stephen Weinstein, the Pacific Private Hospital and anaesthetists Dr Michael Power and Dr Mark Sandler.

MEDICAL TEAM WITH THEIR IMPORTANT PATIENT.

Back in Taumako, this hereditary chief is again able to provide important support to the Vaka Taumako Project, a cultural initiative committed to keeping the seafaring tradition alive.

February - March 2009 Chief Moses, who believes he was born in 1935 (he remembers World War II as a young boy), was accompanied to the Gold Coast by Dr Simon Salopuka, a young Solomon Islander who comes from the same island as the chief and filled the vital roles of translator and carer. The trip followed an approach made to Lions by an Hawaiian anthropologist.

CHIEF MOSES BEFORE HIS GOLD COAST OPERATION.

Following the extraction of the cataracts, lenses, supplied free of charge by Alcon, were inserted by Lion Dr John at the Pacific Private Hospital.

According to him, Chief Moses, a normally quiet and reserved man, was seemingly transformed immediately his eye patches were removed. Suddenly he was more animated and bubbly and laughing at jokes And when Chief Moses and Dr Salopuka returned to the Solomons, the chief eagerly sought a window seat so he could properly take in the view.

During their Gold Coast stay, the pair saw the sights with Lion Dr Stephen and Lions Lady Lis and attended the Lions Club of Mudgeeraba's Christmas function, which coincided with the visit of District Governor John McCrae and his wife, Lion Dianne. There the chief presented the club with a wood carving from his island and Dr Simon presented a certificate of appreciation from the Vaka Taumako Project team.

Cultures came together when Chief Moses met Santa
at a Mudgeeraba Christmas function.

Funding assistance for the project was provided by the Australian Lions Foundation and Lions District Q1, which includes the Gold Coast area.

SEAFARING SKILLS OF TAUMAKO: It's believed the 500 Polynesians on the tiny island of Taumako may be the only people in the Pacific still capable of building and sailing traditional voyaging canoes in completely traditional ways. Hidden away from the main shipping lanes, they have been able to follow their ancient craft without the distractions of modern life with its cars, televisions and whiz-bang gadgetry. Their only communication with the outside world has been via boat or the island's marine radio. With the establishment of the Vaka Taumako Project, there has been a resurgence of interest in their seafaring heritage.