Children of Mauritius Medical and Surgical Support Association
COMMSSA Western Australia Inc.
Management Committee
2023-2024
COMMSSA is managed by a Management Committee of volunteers,
elected each year at the Annual General Meeting.
Committee members receive no remuneration or benefit.
The administrative costs are kept to the bare minimum,
enabling us to use the largest possible percentage of our funds
towards improving the quality of life of a child from Mauritius.
The Management Committee consists of four Office Bearers
(President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer) and up to 8 ordinary members. Current members of the Committee vacate their position each year but are eligible for re-election. Any financial member of the Association is eligible for nomination and election to any of the positions on the Management Committee at the AGM, provided their nomination is proposed and seconded by a financial member of the Association.
The Management Committee Members for 2024-2025
Office Bearers
President, Medical Director
Dr Mariam Bahemia
One day, in 1994, during my surgical term at St John of God Hospital in Subiaco, Serge introduced me to COMMSSA over a cup of tea. He told me how it had all started, and about the work he, Monique and successive Committees had done since 1991 to improve the health of poor Mauritian children. My late father was a GP from Mauritius; I was eager to become involved in something that would rekindle the Mauritian in me. I joined the Management Committee in 1995. After some time overseas, I was re-elected to the Committee in 2016.
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My involvement with COMMSSA is one of the most enjoyable and fulfilling aspects of my life. In 2017, 2018 and 2019, I travelled to Mauritius and Rodrigues in connection with the Stoma/Wound care project. The memories of those short, busy but rewarding self-funded trips with Serge, Monique - and the team of nurses from Australia - will stay with me forever.
Vice President
Dr Thierry Venaille
Thierry has been a member of COMMSSA since 2006. He held the reins of the Association as
President between 2008 and 2013 and, during those five years, hosted the Management
Committee meetings at the Institute for Child Health Research in Subiaco.
He has been a reliable member of the Committee, always willing to help with Quiz Nights and whenever his assistance is needed. As President of “La Maison de France”, he is a valuable link between the Mauritian and French diasporas in Western Australia.
Treasurer
Gilbert Tourneur
I have been a member of COMMSSA since the early days of the association. Between 2015-2017, I occupied the position of Treasurer on the Management Committee. I took a break due to heavy work commitments.
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Now that I am retired, I have been re-elected to COMMSSA's Management Committee as Treasurer at the 2022 AGM. I will do my best to look after the financial affairs of this worthy charitable association.
Secretary
Ms Yashtee Boodhun
I was delighted when I was invited to become part of the COMMSSA family in 2023 and be
given the opportunity of making a difference in the lives of needy Mauritian children. I was born
in Mauritius and moved to Perth 16 years ago. After only one year, I have been elected to the
position of Secretary on the Management Committee.
It is a challenging task, but one that I willingly accept and for which I believe I have the necessary skills. I hold a Marketing and Management degree and have hosted a variety of events across Perth over the last decade. In my new position, I will use my combined skills and wide experience to help the Association reach new heights as it continues its charitable mission of providing assistance to disadvantaged children from Mauritius and Rodrigues.
Ordinary Members
Joint Medical Director,
Founding Member
Dr Serge Toussaint
Serge has served on the Management Committee since he initiated the foundation of
COMMSSA in1991. He was the first President of the Association and occupied that position for
several years. In 2000 he took over the role of Medical Director from Dr Harry Dumbell.
He has worn the Secretary’s shoes from 2020 until 2024. As joint Medical Director, with Dr Mariam Bahemia, he is still involved in the assessment of disadvantaged children from Mauritius and Rodrigues, referred to Australia for surgery or receiving treatment in private hospitals in Mauritius.
For the first time in 33 years Serge, like Monique, will be an ordinary member and not an office bearer on the Management Committee. He believes that the time has come for the elders to stand back a little. At the same time, he knows that sharing their accumulated knowledge and expertise will be invaluable to the younger members who will continue COMMSSA’s mission over the coming years.
Founding Member
Mrs Monique Malié
Monique was one of the founding members of the COMMSSA-SACIM WA in 1991. Since its
inception, she has served on the Management Committee as an Office bearer. She has been
President for nearly half the lifetime of the Association and has worn the hat of either Vice President or Secretary the rest of the time. Above all, she has been the steering force behind organising Events and Functions as well as seeing to the fostering and ‘pastoral care’ of Mauritian children sent to Perth for treatment. To many of them, she and Jack, her husband, have become Mémé and Pépé.
Without her drive and unfailing commitment to the children of COMMSSA and their families, the Association would not have survived to this day. She, like Serge, still has much knowledge to impart to the younger Office Bearers and ordinary members of the Association.
Mrs Mirella Augustin
Jacques and I have four healthy grandchildren; we often think of the heartache of so many poor parents in Mauritius who cannot afford the best treatment for their sick children. I joined the Management Committee nearly ten years ago because I know that COMMSSA does make a difference in the life of many children. Jacques and I help, as much as we can, at COMMSSA’s fundraising functions. Please support us by attending our functions with your families and friends.
Ms Anaïs Ducray
As a young professional, I am deeply committed to creating a positive impact on public health and contributing to my community. Since joining the Management Committee in 2019, I have embraced COMMSSA’s mission: to enhance health outcomes for disadvantaged children in Mauritius and Rodrigues.
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In 2020, I organised a children’s Christmas party, and in 2021, a Tropical-themed dance that raised essential funds for COMMSSA.During my time in Mauritius in 2023, we collaborated closely with Curtin Mauritius, focusing on the Stoma Care Program—workshops designed to enhance nurses’ education on stoma care to improve health outcomes for all.
Ms Christine Antoine
I am honoured to be part of the Management Committee of this wonderful association. I pledge to promote COMMSSA’s charitable mission, and I aim to contribute to raising funds, so that children in need receive the care and support they deserve. My late mum, Joslyne, was a valued member of the Committee, serving as Treasurer for three years. She also hosted a family whose child was receiving treatment in Perth. I aspire to continue her legacy by helping make a meaningful impact in the lives of disadvantaged children. Thank you for joining us on this rewarding journey of compassion and generosity.