Care in the Djarindijin Community

Ray Lowe, Diocesan Director of
Bunbury, is excited about
the Community Cultural
Carers program.

On Wednesday 19 October, I represented Caritas Australia at the launch of the new Community Cultural Carers program in the Djarindijin Community (an isolated Aboriginal community approx. 200 km or a 35-minute flight north of Broome).

There are three members from the local community on the staff - Naomi, Shanelle and Vincent. A big thanks to the Djarindijin Administration Office for providing office space in their building for this new program!

Carers are an important link in the community as they support people with their own health care, help them access a range of health services, provide leadership within the community and provide support should someone require assistance from a metropolitan hospital (e.g. Broome or Perth). They are also responsible for ongoing wellness education in the community.

At the launch, Ernie Bridge, Director of Unity of First People of Australia (UFPA), thanked Caritas Australia for their support of the program. He in turn was thanked by the local community for bringing support and help to this remote part of the world.

Also present at the launch was the local Broome hospital administrator. This was a great opportunity to discuss how the carers and Broome hospital could work together and help people from the remote communities.

The carers are fantastic and I felt very proud to meet people who have taken control of their own destiny and are working within communities to provide a better lifestyle.

Ray Lowe, Diocesan Director of Bunbury WA

For more information about our Indigenous programs, go to the Caritas Australia website.