MALAGA Chiropractor Finalist for The Young Australian of the Year Award

Dr Bernadette Poynter, who works at ABC Chiropractic, is one of four West Australians in the running for the award.

She has been nominated for her humanitarian work in China, Indonesia and North-Western Australia, as well as her work as vice-chairwoman of VOW Educational Services, a non-profit charity that aims to provide the world’s poor with education.

In 2008 Dr Poynter founded and funded the Prosperous Future School ZhaoJue China, which provides 20 orphaned children – 10 girls and 10 boys – with an education.

The school also provides accommodation for the girls, who range in age from 8 to 14 years old.

As well as basic education which includes the required Chinese curriculum and English lessons, the school also provides standard immunisations, basic hygiene workshops and information on topics such as HIV and hepatitis.

Dr Poynter said she wanted to ensure orphans affected by severe poverty would have a prosperous future.

“The school is in a minority area of China so there is not much Government funding available,” she said.

“Before the school was opened the girls in the orphanage were getting no education.”

Dr Poynter is currently renting the school premises but plans to buy it. The school has two staff members – a principal/teacher and caretaker – who Dr Poynter speaks to nearly every day.

She has visited the school twice this year and intends to return in February.

Dr Poynter said she started planning the school in March last year and was spurred on when earthquakes struck the region.

She said her strong sense of altruism stemmed from the long history of chiropractors who had contributed to humanitarian projects.

“The genuine interest in the health and wellbeing of our chiropractic patients is a fundamental trait that chiropractors possess and this abundant nurturing and consideration for others overflows into areas such as humanitarian work and a desire to help,” Dr Poynter said.

“The support and encouragement I have received from the entire staff at ABC Chiropractic is overwhelming and I would not have been as successful with my projects without the amazing support of Dr Peter Taylor, my partner and principal chiropractor at ABC Chiropractic centre.”

She said ABC Chiropractic’s patients and local businesses had supported her work in China.

Patients had held fundraisers and donated items such as clothes, toiletries and stationery, while business had donated money and resources.

“The support as well as contribution that they have made to my success is what propels me to continue with my humanitarian work,” Dr Poynter said.

“I would not have been able to have achieved any of the goals I was hoping to without the overwhelming response from such wonderful human beings as the people of the City of Swan.

“I share the success of my orphanage, as well as my nomination for Young Australian of the Year, with the people and businesses who have united to make this project successful.”

Dr Poynter said she hoped to act as a role model and community advocate for Perth’s youth.

She is available to talk to schools or at community events about her work and becoming involved in charity.

For details, email drpoynter@live.com or visit www.vow.org.au.
ABC Chiropractic is at 3/8 Exchange Road, Malaga. Phone 9209 1988.