Operation Smile Australia

Operation Smile Australia We provide safe surgery for craniofacial & cleft conditions and train local medical teams. Every three minutes, a child is born with a craniofacial condition.

Give Now

https://www.givenow.com.au/givebeforejune30

https://operationsmile.org.au/get-involved/volunteer/ Yet in many parts of the world, families cannot access or afford the surgery their child needs. Without treatment, children may struggle to eat, speak, or attend school. At Operation Smile Australia, we believe every child deserves access to safe, life-changing surgical care. For just $300,

a single cleft surgery can give a child the chance to eat, speak, smile, and thrive. Our volunteer medical teams from Australia and New Zealand work alongside local hospitals, train healthcare professionals, and provide essential equipment—creating lasting, sustainable change. Because every child deserves the chance to smile with confidence.

Ramata, a child from rural Ghana, faced significant barriers to care in early childhood. Born with a cleft condition, he...
01/06/2026

Ramata, a child from rural Ghana, faced significant barriers to care in early childhood.

Born with a cleft condition, her mother, Mariana, made six unsuccessful journeys in search of surgery — each time raising money for bus fares, travelling long distances and returning home without the treatment her daughter needed.

With Operation Smile’s support, Ramata finally received a series of cleft lip and palate surgeries. At a later follow-up, we learned that she was thriving at school, engaged in learning and participating with confidence.

This EOFY, we’re aiming to help fund 100 surgeries so more children like Ramata can access the care they deserve. Every gift makes a real difference.

💛 Give now https://www.givenow.com.au/givebeforejune30

At our recent surgical program in Mtwara, Tanzania the impact looked like this:80 patients screened. 44 surgeries comple...
28/05/2026

At our recent surgical program in Mtwara, Tanzania the impact looked like this:

80 patients screened. 44 surgeries completed. 1 anaesthetist mentored to independence.

And one unforgettable moment — a teenager who danced into the operating room for his life-changing cleft repair. 💙

But the story doesn’t end there. Early data suggests that when local teams are trained and supported, the impact multiplies across skill sets and far beyond a single program.

"Learning is multi-directional," reflected Australian anaesthetist, Dr Stacey Swinkles — who mentored a skilled local colleague in paediatric anaesthesia, covering weight-based drug calculations, equipment sizing, and emergency management.

"By the end of the week, he was running safety checklists confidently and translating the process to a coworker in Swahili. To me this represented the whole reason why we are there — to propagate safe practices and influence daily work behaviours across a work culture."

This EOFY, give before 30 June to help fund more cleft surgeries and support local training that builds lasting surgical capacity. 💙

26/05/2026

One Surgery. A Lifetime Changed. Give by 30 June

On fellowship with Operation Smile Australia, Dr Lia brings firsthand experience from the Philippines—where she’s seen how cleft surgery can transform a child’s future. Watch our 30 second video to hear the impact.

Without surgery, these children face lifelong health and social challenges. With June 30 approaching, your EOFY donation can help make more of these surgeries possible.

Our goal is to fund 100 life-changing surgeries. Every tax-deductible donation helps reach our goal—Just $300 can help fund one surgery. Can you help?

Give now https://www.givenow.com.au/givebeforejune30

Thank you to our community. Your generosity makes this work possible.

Oh, what a night!Last night, we celebrated the 2026 OSA Volunteer Awards and Cocktail Reception bringing together more t...
24/05/2026

Oh, what a night!

Last night, we celebrated the 2026 OSA Volunteer Awards and Cocktail Reception bringing together more than 100 guests, proudly supported by Invisalign Australia and Loyalty Life.

We were honoured to present three awards:

1. Emerging Leader Award: Natalie Lawrence
2. Global Impact Award: Rahul Joshi
3. Lifetime Service Award: Vernon Moo

While these awards spotlight remarkable contributions, every single one of our volunteers plays a vital role in changing children's lives.

Thank you to all our volunteers for your dedication, compassion, and generosity—we couldn't do this without you.

In conjunction with National Volunteer Week, Operation Smile Australia has welcomed volunteers from across Australia and...
23/05/2026

In conjunction with National Volunteer Week, Operation Smile Australia has welcomed volunteers from across Australia and New Zealand to our Global Impact Forum at Australia's R&D Labs at Royal Brisbane & Women's Hospital.

Held over two days, the forum explores OSA global perspectives, leadership development and strategic direction. Featured speakers include:

• The President of the Philippine Medical Association
• Representatives from Operation Smile India, Operation Smile Philippines, and Operation Smile Vietnam

Throughout the forum, volunteers will hear from our international partners, complete essential PALS training, and explore pathways to grow from clinician to educator, mentor and faculty leader.

Delivering world-class care starts with investing in the people who make it possible.

Thank you to Stryker for hosting and to every volunteer committed to this journey.

In the spirit of National Volunteer week (18-24 May)— join us in saying thank you to our volunteers who give their time,...
17/05/2026

In the spirit of National Volunteer week (18-24 May)— join us in saying thank you to our volunteers who give their time, skills and hearts to change lives.

✨ On this National Volunteer Week, we're celebrating the incredible medical health care professionals and volunteers who make our work possible — because everything we achieve begins with their generosity.

🌎 Our Global Impact Forum will bring volunteers together for advanced training, shared learning and leadership development, all focused on strengthening patient care and building lasting impact.

✨🍸We’ll also gather for a special cocktail reception, to celebrate the dedicated community that helps bring our mission to life.

It will be a chance to celebrate our wonderful volunteers who show up, give their time, share their skills to help build sustainable surgical capacity and change children’s lives.

Behind every safe surgery is a nurse.They prepare patients, support recovery, and guide families through every step.This...
11/05/2026

Behind every safe surgery is a nurse.

They prepare patients, support recovery, and guide families through every step.

This International Nurses Day 2026, we honour the nurses shaping the future of care and transforming lives.

Across Operation Smile Australia programs, nurses don’t just deliver care—they strengthen it. Through mentorship, skills sharing, and training, they help build lasting surgical capacity in the communities they serve.

To all our nurse volunteers—thank you.

Your expertise and compassion expand access to safe surgery and strengthen health systems for the long term, helping more children receive the life-changing care they need.

On this Mother's Day, we celebrate mothers as sources of hope and strength in their children's lives and health care jou...
09/05/2026

On this Mother's Day, we celebrate mothers as sources of hope and strength in their children's lives and health care journeys.

We honour the mums of our patients, who travel long distances and move mountains to give their child a brighter future. Lyn from the rural Philippines is one of those mums and whose son Kioh experienced serious health challenges due to being born with a craniofacial condition.

Today, Kioh is thriving. Lyn has built her own lash studio while raising her two children, all while ensuring Kioh receives the therapy that helps him grow in confidence and get ready for school.

We also recognise the medical professionals in our community who balance motherhood with work and volunteering, helping transform lives through our programs.

And we thank every woman who acts as a surrogate mum to children in need around the world by supporting our work.

To all the mothers nurturing, advocating, and showing up for children everywhere — we see you and we are deeply grateful for all you do. Happy Mother’s Day 💛

A beautiful example of connection in action 💙One of our volunteer nurses, Katrina, recently visited the “Knit & Natter” ...
08/05/2026

A beautiful example of connection in action 💙

One of our volunteer nurses, Katrina, recently visited the “Knit & Natter” group which is a wonderful circle of women who meet weekly to hand-make puppets.

What began as a chance conversation between Katrina and Sally Cuthel (a group member) in the ED at Redland Hospital has grown into something remarkable: an estimated 350+ puppets created over nearly four years.

These puppets bring real joy and comfort to children and families during their care journey — helping ease nerves, create connection, and often becoming a treasured companion through treatment.

"It was a privilege to meet the group, and share stories from OSA programs as a small thank you for the joy they help bring to so many” - Nurse Katrina

&knatter

Our recent short-term surgical program in Mzuzu, Malawi brought together Malawian clinicians and international medical v...
05/05/2026

Our recent short-term surgical program in Mzuzu, Malawi brought together Malawian clinicians and international medical volunteers for a week of care, teamwork, and shared learning.

Australian anaesthetist Dr Hannah Brown delivered a lecture on hyperthermia and spent dedicated one-on-one time mentoring a trainee anaesthetist in paediatric care. Listening to her trainee's journey was a highlight of the week, she said, and helped shape her approach to mentoring him.

Dr Brown described the experience as "a meaningful exchange of skills and support—a reminder that collaborative learning can strengthen healthcare capacity well beyond a single mission."

Program highlights

• 54 patients screened
• 24 surgeries completed
• 12 patients under Dr Brown's direct care

Address

Quarters Building Mater Hospital Raymond Terrace
Brisbane, QLD
4101

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4pm
Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 4pm

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