Australian of the Year

Associate Professor David Chong is a plastic and reconstructive surgeon specialising in cleft lip and palate surgery at the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne. Compelled by his belief that every child deserves access to surgical care, David has volunteered on over 40 missions to the developing world where he conducts facial reconstructions. 

David’s commitment to global health began in 1996 when he volunteered on Mercy Ships as a young doctor. David now donates two months each year to Mercy Ships and the charity, Operation Smile, performing complex craniofacial surgery, training local clinicians, and strengthening long‑term local surgical capacity worldwide – particularly across West Africa and Madagascar.  

Children who were accustomed to being ostracised because of how they looked go home from hospital different people after receiving love and care from David, as well as other volunteer doctors and nurses.  

A recognised leader in his field, David is the immediate past president of the Australasian Cleft Lip and Palate Association.