About Us

Mawarnkarra is committed to strong and effective Governance and we do our best to service the health needs of our community.

Building Healthier Communities

Mawarnkarra Health Service (Mawarnkarra) acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the traditional custodians of land and sea across Australia. We acknowledge their continuing connection to culture and pay our respects to Elders past and present. We especially acknowledge and pay our respects to the traditional custodians of Roebourne; the Ngarluma People.

Our Vision

Mawarnkarra aspires to be a strong, sustainable and recognised health service that builds healthier communities and positive change for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and those who call Roebourne home.

Our Mission

Providing access to and delivering quality health services to improve the physical, spiritual, cultural, social and emotional wellbeing of the families of Roebourne and surrounding towns and communities.

A Brief History

Mawarnkarra was established in 1985 in Roebourne; and achieved incorporation under the Aboriginal Councils Associations Act (1976) on the 20th of March 1986.

The name “Mawarnkarra” comes from the Yindjibarndi language and its meaning is translated to mean “one with power to heal”. Mawarnkarra is pronounced, “MAR –WARN- GAR-DAR”. In the Ngarluma language, we say, “MAR-BARN-GAR-DAR”.

The Mawarnkarra symbol of the “Emu” or JARNGURNA represents the oil which is taken from the emu and is used for healing.

In 2005, the new clinic complex at Sholl Street in Roebourne, where we continue to run our service from today, was completed. Mawarnkarra also delivers some Health Programs from a separate property that is also located on Sholl Street in Roebourne.

In 2009, the incorporation status of the organisation was transferred from the Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations (ORIC) to the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC). The service is now registered as Mawarnkarra Health Service Limited.

Mawarnkarra is the largest primary health care provider providing direct services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples living in the Roebourne area.

Board of Management

Mawarnkarra is an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organsisation (ACCHO) and operates under the Strategic Direction of a Board of up to 8 Directors that are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people from our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. The Board is elected for two year terms by the Mawarnkarra Members.

The Board are committed to strong and effective Governance and ensuring that Mawarnkarra is doing its best to service the health needs of our community.

Our Accreditations

Mawarnkarra achieved its first Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) accreditation in 2008; and were re – accredited in 2012 and 2015.

Mawarnakarra also achieved our first Quality Improvement Council of Australia (QIC) accreditation in 2015, making Mawarnkarra the first health service in the North West region of WA to hold dual accreditation. We are committed continuous quality improvement and maintaining our accreditations.

Mawarnkarra Health Services were re-accredited from both RACGP and QIC in 2018.

Catchment Area for Mawarnkarra Health Service

Core Area – Roebourne and surrounding areas (Roebourne, Cheeditha, Mingullatharndo, Wickham, Point Samson and Karratha)

Outreach Area – Communities located within City of Karratha and Shire of Ahsburton (Ngurawaana, Onslow, and Tom Price)

Areas under funding agreement

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Complaints, Suggestions & Feedback

We welcome any feedback that will help us to improve our service.

Feedback forms are available from the Mawarnkarra Clinic Reception or you can email our Human Resource Officer for clinical and administration complaints at hrofficer@mhs.org.au 

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Location

20 Sholl St, Roebourne WA 6718
PO Box 59, Roebourne WA 6718

Clinic

P: (08) 9182 0851
F: (08) 9182 1055

WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are warned that this website may contain images of deceased persons.

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