Donations

Perth Outreach Program – Help Us to Look After our People in the City

The Pilbara has generated great wealth and opportunities for all Australians and has seen great growth since the 1960s when mining became the dominant industry. Mawarnkarra Health Service has been operating since 1986 and is the only Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (ACCHO) in the City of Karratha region. Mawarnkarra has seen little investment from the non-Government sector including the mining industry. In our 36-year history, we have received less than $300,000 in financial donations. Only one Aboriginal Corporation has provided an ongoing donation of $5,000 per year for more than three consecutive years, which is located in the Shire of Ashburton region.

Despite the wealth generation, access to tertiary health care is still limited to Perth City. Pilbara residents including our Aboriginal population are required to travel to Perth for tertiary healthcare.

Mawarnkarra caters to more than 3,000 patients, many of whom have had to travel to Perth City for healthcare. The number of patients travelling to Perth City has dramatically increased over the past 5 years, which led to the Board supporting the creation of a “Perth Outreach” role. For some people, leaving your home and Community environment to go to Perth can be overwhelming and cause distress. The Perth Outreach role provides support to patients including:

• Pick up from Perth airport.
• Transport and assistance with check in to accommodation in Perth.
• Transport from accommodation to hospital.
• Attending patient medical appointments.
• Communicating messages from the patient to family members back home.
• Support for food and essentials.

The Perth Outreach Officers role is quite extensive – and often results in 10-12 hour working days.

Presently, this role is partly funded by Government Grants, and the rest is funded by Mawarnkarra by way of its own funds.

The Board would like to see this role supported by more staff, Perth based offices, and accommodation in Perth that is owned and managed by Mawarnkarra to ensure that our patients are accommodated in a Culturally Safe place when they are away from home.

Mawarnkarra invites corporate or other sponsors for this essential program.

Ideally, the Perth Outreach Program would include:

• 1 x FTE Female Worker
• 1 x FTE Male Worker
• Perth Accommodation and Offices
• 2 x Vehicles

For a full budget/ costing for all or parts of this Program, please contact our Chief Executive Officer, Joan Hicks via 08 9182 0200 or j.hicks@mhs.org.au

Men’s Program – Help Us to Provide Stronger Support to our Men

Mawarnkarra Health Service has an ongoing commitment to providing culturally secure and safe health services and programs to our Aboriginal Community. This has involved our Board recognising the need for health programs specifically for men and for women.

Although there are health services and programs available to men in our Community, Mawarnkarra recognises the need to develop a Men’s Health Program that involves access to health services and programs for men only. This involves Mawarnkarra providing services and programs to men from a Men’s place; access to a Men’s shed; and Men’s specific events and mentors.

Many Aboriginal men prefer to talk to other men about their health issues or concerns.

Mawarnkarra has allocated a house to this Program and successfully secured Lottery West funding for a Men’s Shed, that will be completed later this year. We are seeking corporate or other sponsors to contribute towards a Men’s Health Program for the next three years that includes:

• Removal of asbestos and House refurbishments.
• Gardening and Landscaping.
• 2 x FTE Workers.
• Operating Expenses.

For a full budget/ costing for all or parts of this Program, please contact our Chief Executive Officer, Joan Hicks via 08 9182 0200 or j.hicks@mhs.org.au