By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
A BERWICK plastic surgeon has praised the Casey community for raising the funds to have a young child from Papua New Guinea with severe burns to his face treated in Victoria 20 years ago.
The story of Wesley Koni – who as a young child fell into a fire inside his family’s grass hut home in the Eastern Highlands of PNG – has come full circle.
On Sunday 60 Minutes aired the heart-wrenching conclusion to Wesley’s story, in which the now rehabilitated young adult returned to his home village to see his mother and father, more than 20 years after he was first taken to Australia.
Dr Malcolm Linsell, who was a member of the Cranbourne Salvation Army at the time, was the first surgeon to operate on three-year-old Wesley, after a fellow volunteer working in PNG read about the Berwick man’s skills and sought his help.
In late March, 1993, the Casey community raised $20,000 to ensure Wesley could make the journey to Australia, where he was operated on by Dr Linsell.
“When I first saw a photo I genuinely went oh my God, what are we going to do?” Dr Linsell told the News this week.
“I’d never quite seen anything like it.”
Wesley’s face had been completely burnt on one side.
“He was so weak he couldn’t lift his head up, so his head had settled on his chest and became melded to his chest,” Dr Linsell said.
“The right side of his mouth was attached to where his left nipple would be, and his right eyebrow was where his right nipple would be and his left ear was sitting on his shoulder.”
Dr Linsell had thought about ‘Wes’ often in the 16-odd years since he had operated on him.
And while in Sydney the doctor was finally able to meet up with Wes again, who now lives in New South Wales and works for the Salvation Army, after having undergone roughly 30 operations over the years to treat his injuries.
Happily reunited and amazed at his progress, Dr Linsell recently contacted 60 Minutes.
“I was amazed he was now working and contributing to society,” Dr Linsell said.
“I was really aware that here was a boy, who if we hadn’t have done anything for, he probably wouldn’t have survived and 20 years later he’s making a meaningful contribution to society.”
With all involved seeing the potential for a beautiful conclusion to what to this point had been a long and at times, testing journey, 60 Minutes facilitated Dr Linsell, Wesley and host Karl Stefanovic travelling to PNG to visit his family.
“The most moving thing for me was when I met his father,” Dr Linsell said.
“His father comes over and embraces Wesley, I go to his father, Koni, and he looks at me and he recognises me.
“He doesn’t speak English, he embraces me. My God, after 20 years, a man that trusted his son to me, to really make sure his son was still alive.
“That had me very emotional. That is so special – to know I had an impact.”
