The pair returned from their Vanuatu holiday determined to organise further assistance, having seen first-hand some of the devastation left by Cyclone Pam, which hit the South Pacific nation killing 15 people and leaving an estimated damage bill of $US250 million.

The Morrows took a bag of donated Australian goodies with them, which they distributed among a few victims, but it was only a drop in the bucket of aid needed.

"It was an amazing experience that changed our lives forever," they told The Standard upon arriving home.

"The things we complain about are nothing compared with what those people face every day.

"We plan to visit again and utilise some of our contacts to distribute donated goods."

It was to be a holiday where they would return to a place that Herb visited 46 years earlier when he accompanied a team of Warrnambool volunteers to build a church on Efate Island, about 12 kilometres from the capital Port Vila.

Travel plans were thrown into disarray by the cyclone, but they decided to go and offer assistance, taking with them donations of clothing, money, toys, pencils and other items collected from their friends. 

On arrival they saw many damaged buildings still unrepaired and other evidence of the devastation, but Herb's church was still standing and the congregation treated the couple as honoured guests.

However, when they met a couple who had recently been on Tanna Island the journey took an unexpected detour.

"They informed us that kids walk up to eight kilometres a day to get to a mountain-top school, arriving cold and shivering," the Morrows recalled.

"Who would have thought – cold in the tropics?

"The cold is a consequence of the elevation and the effect of an active volcano on the weather."

They flew to the island and on landing found there were no asphalt roads - the routes were all dusty gravel and the village was in the shadow of Mount Yasur, regarded at the world's most accessible erupting volcano.

Their host, Fred, and his wife operated a treetop lodge which was smashed by the cyclone..

Food is in short supply and gardens are destroyed.

The Morrows took their goodies to Loanialu school for distribution among the most needy, but they also brought some much-needed levity – a whoopee cushion triggered ripples of laughter.

Donated jumpers went to children to ward off pneumonia which has taken several lives.

"We saw need, we saw resilience, and above all we saw smiles," they said.

"There are needs everywhere – Fred needs power tools for repairs.

"We are keen to spread the word. Anyone wanting to help can contact us on 55 624191 or 0400 360 180."