Former Timor-Leste President and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Dr. José Ramos-Horta was the star attraction, as the Foundation for Surgery (the Foundation) hosted a dinner to say thank you to some of their most important donors.

In an inspiring speech, President Dr Ramos-Horta highlighted the importance of striving for ongoing peace and the importance of health care and education. He gave his personal thanks to donors for making such a difference in Timor-Leste.

The dinner was also an opportunity to farewell Chair of the Foundation, Professor Kingsley Faulkner AM, whose term concludes next month following nine years of outstanding service. Under Professor Faulkner's leadership the Foundation has grown substantially.

RACS President, Mr John Batten (whose term ends on Thursday), will become the new Chair of the Foundation. At the dinner, Mr Batten paid tribute to the work of his predecessor, and told the audience he was excited about his new role and developing RACS' legacy across the Asia-Pacific region.

Watch to the video of Dr Ramos-Horta's full speech.