On the 12th of October 2002 two bombs exploded in Paddy's Bar in the town of Kuta on the Indonesian island of Bali, killing over 200 people and injuring 209. Eighty-eight of those killed and many of the injured were Australians. Others hurt and dead were from Indonesia, Japan, New Zealand, America, Canada, Britain, and many other places. The Australian Royal Airforce flew the injured to hospitals in Darwin and other Australian cities. One of the amazing doctors who saved many many lives was Dr. Fiona Wood.
Fiona Wood, mother of 6, became Australian of the Year in 2005. She graduated from St Thomas's Hospital Medical School in London before marrying her husband and coming to Perth. She became Western Australia's only female plastic surgeon, Head of the Royal Perth Hospital's Burns Unit and Director of the Western Australia Burns Service. She has become world famous for her invention of spray on skin for burns victims.
Peace Park at the former site of the Sari Club
English: Monument to the Bali terrorist victims in...
English: 2002 Bali bombings memorial, MelbourneShe came across the spray in 1992 when she treated a man with petrol burns to 90 per cent of his body. As head of Perth Hospital's Burns Unit Dr Wood was thrown into the spotlight following the Bali terrorist attack. She led a courageous and dedicated team to save 28 patients suffering from between 2 and 92 per cent body burns, deadly infections and delayed shock.
The people Fiona Wood treated from the Bali bombing were ordinary people. Most were on holiday, families enjoying their dinner, friends out for a good time.
Even before the Bali bombing's Fiona Wood was well-known and respected in her work for many many years.