Hero photograph
-
 

NEW ZEALAND ROTARY CLUB SUPPORTS ABORIGINAL HEALTH PROJECT

PDG Grant Spackman, Assistant Regional Rotary Foundation Coordinator —

Plans are underway for a Global Grant project to substantially improve the health opportunities for Aboriginal children and their families across Western Sydney.

Article written by PDG Grant Spackman, Assistant Regional Rotary Foundation Coordinator, using background information provided Glynis Carter, RC Manukau City Sunrise.

The photos include members of the Aboriginal community at La Perouse and clinical staff at Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, and are printed with permission.

A new clinical service site will be established at the Sydney Children’s Hospital Westmead, that will replicate a very successful community health programme. Ngala Nanga Mai has been operating at La Perouse in Eastern Sydney since 2009. The programme uses art as a safe way to connect and support mothers and children to gain early access to the health and education services available at the Sydney Children’s Hospital. Participants enjoy the social contact at the workshops and their art work has been exhibited and sold at more than 15 art exhibitions over the past 10 years.

The pilot programme at La Perouse has proven to make a significant difference to the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal mothers and children. A Global Grant from The Rotary Foundation has been approved and will enable the project to be established in Western Sydney where the need is even greater. The aim will be to promote well being and the prevention of maternal issues such as Foetal Alcohol Syndrome and diseases in children such as Impetigo and Trachoma for Australia’s First Nation people.

--

The international partner for the Aboriginal Child and Family Health Project is the Rotary Club of Manukau City Sunrise in Auckland, New Zealand. Along with the Rotary Club of Sydney Cove, they are partnering with the Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation with a commitment to closing the gap to help Aboriginal children live their healthiest lives possible. They also recognise that it is essential that services for First Nation people involve full engagement with their communities.

---

This project is a wonderful example of how a Global Grant can bring together Rotarians from New Zealand and Australia to support a need that has a commonality in both countries.