View source for Walter Vermeulen

'''Dr. Walter J. Vermeulen''' is a [[Samoa]]n / Belgian surgeon, farmer and environmentalist. He was born in [[Belgium]] and trained as a surgeon at the [[Free University of Brussels (1834–1969)|University of Brussels]] and the [[University of Hawaii]].<ref name=so2020>{{cite web |url=https://www.samoaobserver.ws/category/samoa/76744 |title=PEOPLE OF 2020 - Dr. Walter Vermeulen |author=Hyunsook Siutaia |publisher=Samoa Observer |date=1 January 2021 |accessdate=15 January 2021}}</ref>

==Career==
After training as a surgeon, Vermeulen emigrated to Samoa in 1966.<ref name=so2020/> He worked as a surgeon-specialist until 1975, when he became deputy director of health.<ref name=so2020/> A change of government at the [[1976 Western Samoan general election|1976 election]] resulted in an employment dispute and legal action for wrongful dismissal, resulting in the landmark decision in ''Vermeulen v. A-G & Others''.<ref>{{cite court |url= http://www.paclii.org/ws/cases/WSSC/1985/1.html |litigants=Vermeulen v. A-G & Others |volume=1985 |reporter=WSSC |opinion=1 |date=2 May 1985 |court=Supreme Court of Western Samoa}}</ref> 

After he left the Health Department he became involved in environmentalism, first as Executive Director of O Le Siosiomaga Society, Inc., and then as Executive Director of Matuaileoo Environment Trust Inc. (METI). He is a proponent of a sustainable development system known as the Integrated Biomass System (IBS). He was married to the former member of parliament [[Matatumua Maimoana]].

Vermeulen was appointed an honorary member of the [[Order of Merit of Samoa]] in the [[2014 Samoa Honours and Awards]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Honours conferred |publisher=Samoa Observer |date=22 December 2014}}</ref>

On 13 February 2018 he was bestowed with the Knights Cross of the [[Order of Leopold (Belgium)|Order of Leopold]] in recognition for his work in medical and community development.<ref name=knighted>{{cite web |url=http://www.samoaobserver.ws/en/15_02_2018/local/30050/Congratulations-Sir-Walter!.htm |title=Congratulations Sir Walter! |author=Ivamere Nataro |publisher=Samoa Observer |date=14 February 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180217203045/http://www.samoaobserver.ws/en/15_02_2018/local/30050/Congratulations-Sir-Walter!.htm |archive-date=17 February 2018 }}</ref> This bestowal was made by his Excellency Marc Mullie the Belgian Ambassador to Samoa.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.samoaobserver.ws/en/14_02_2018/local/29998/Samoa-welcomes-Belgium-Ambassador.htm |title=Samoa welcomes Belgium Ambassador |author=Ilia L. Likou |publisher=Samoa Observer |date=13 February 2018 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180217193726/http://www.samoaobserver.ws/en/14_02_2018/local/29998/Samoa-welcomes-Belgium-Ambassador.htm |archive-date=17 February 2018}}</ref>

==References==
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[[Category:Belgian emigrants]]
[[Category:Immigrants to Samoa]]
[[Category:Belgian surgeons]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Date of birth missing (living people)]]
[[Category:Samoan environmentalists]]
[[Category:Free University of Brussels (1834–1969) alumni]]
[[Category:Alumni of the University of Liverpool]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]
[[Category:Honorary members of the Order of Merit of Samoa]]
[[Category:Mataʻafa family]]

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