During his time at the helm of Mercy Ships Australia, just one of 16 international support offices around the world for the global charity, Mr Regazzoli has had responsibility for raising financial support to enable Mercy Ships to provide all of its services completely free of charge. Other aspects of his role included promoting the work of Mercy Ships, and assisting in the recruitment of volunteers who serve at their own expense for terms extending from a few weeks to long-term. Over recent years, the number of such volunteers has risen to nearly 60 Australians a year.
The Caloundra office in Bulcock Street opened ten years ago and continues its vital work with a small staff and support from volunteers.
"It has been very satisfying to see Australian support for the work being done by Mercy Ships continue to grow. That has been particularly pleasing from a financial point of view during the recent difficult economic times," Mr Regazzoli said.
"Our supporters have seen the valuable work being done to help bring healing through the skills of surgeons and medical teams to so many thousands of Africans who have none of the health services available that we in Australia simply take for granted. The work done by our volunteers in such programs as community health, dentistry, agriculture and education also brings new levels of hope to many who struggle to live below the poverty line."
Mercy Ships uses hospital ships to provide much needed medical and community development services to people in some of the world's poorest nations. The Africa Mercy, crewed by volunteers from more than 40 nations, will begin service in the Republic of the Congo in August.
Alan Burrell will take over from Mr Regazzoli in the new position of Managing Director.