Penny Trumble

Former Teacher | Rotary Club of Melbourne

My involvement has led me to understand the importance of educating the community about hepatitis.

As the daughter of a member of the Rotary Club of Melbourne, I volunteered to provide administrative support to the program initiated by Peter Clark. I am the first point of contact for Rotary Clubs interested in hosting a presentation and I liaise closely with HepVic staff.

I’m a retired teacher, with about 40 years experience in government secondary schools, I am enjoying my involvement in the joint Rotary Melbourne/HepVic project. In normal times, I enjoy wearing a red shirt and interacting with visitors to Melbourne – in Swanston St, the Visitor Booth in Bourke St Mall and at Station Pier.

Much of my teaching career was spent as a Student Wellbeing Coordinator in government secondary schools, working with students and families who needed support. Although hepatitis wasn’t on my radar then, I was aware of the impact of health issues on many families, causing them multiple stresses.

I was very surprised to hear that a cure is available for hepatitis C and a vaccine for hepatitis B. I don’t think that this is widely known so it is important to make people aware. Targeting Rotary Clubs is one way of sharing the information.

Penny’s message to others:

Get involved, receive accurate information and share it with others.