When Mal passed away, his partner Christine was left heartbroken – yet consoled by their unwavering love and countless memories. Even as Mal faced his final chapter, they found strength in their connection.
“We used to talk about everything you can think of, and we knew everything about each other,” Christine shared. “And in one of our talks, he mentioned how he often thought of small children suffering from burns,” she added.
This simple mention began Mal’s profound legacy at The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH). Christine knew from their countless conversations of his desire to help children with burns in any way he could. While Mal didn’t quite get the opportunity to cement his intentions in his Will, Christine knew from these special and important conversations what Mal would have wanted.
“In Mal’s honour, I built a beautiful memorial plaque for him. I also donated to the RCH Foundation to specifically support the burns unit on his behalf,” she said.
Through this generous gift to the RCH Foundation, Mal’s legacy lives on, bringing comfort, hope and healing to children experiencing the pain and discomfort of burns. The RCH’s Burns Service is the only dedicated and specialised paediatric burns service in Victoria. It’s one of the hospital’s most vital services, seeing an increase in both the number and complexity of burn surgeries and long-term scar management. The service now receives more than 600 new patients annually.
Mal’s remarkable generosity continues to change lives with his gift supporting the Burns Fellow at the RCH, a role that is helping to advance clinical care and reduce the lasting impact that burn injuries can have on children and their families.
In her role as the Burns Fellow, Dr. Macy (Maria- Theresia) Rattasits plays a vital part in every step of a patient’s journey – from the first moments of care right through to recovery. Working hand in hand with the Burns Clinical Nurse Consultants, Dr Rattasits provides compassionate, coordinated care and reassurance to families navigating an often-daunting experience.
Her work is not only life-changing for young patients but also instrumental in shaping the future of paediatric burn care. Through her dedication, Dr Rattasits helps deliver complex surgeries, ensures continuity of care, and mentors the next generation of paediatric burn surgeons.
Mal’s generosity is helping provide the very best care for children and families across Victoria, something Christine is deeply proud of, and she knows Mal would be too.
“It excites me to think about everything the Burns Fellow will achieve and give to children and their families – from their dedication to even more specialised treatment. It’s just so wonderful to know that Mal has been able to share his gift to provide that treatment and care to young people,” Christine emphasised.
Mal and Christine had known each other for decades, and their devotion will never fade. Today, Christine takes great comfort in knowing that his memory will live on through the hospital, its Burns Fellow, and the countless lives they continue to touch.
“To think about the impact of Mal’s gift and the number of lives the Burns Fellow will help in a year; that’s almost immeasurable,” said Christine.