Aboriginal organisation Awabakal has established a new community clinic in Raymond Terrace.
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Opened on March 15 to mark National Close the Gap Day, the clinic is part of Awabakal’s work in meeting region-wide demand for Aboriginal health and community services and to help address the issue of disparity in life expectancy between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
“We are always aiming to lead the way in delivering culturally appropriate health and well-being services to our people,” Awabakal’s chief executive officer, Raylene Gordon, said.
“The Raymond Terrace site is exciting because it is a partnership with a local Aboriginal organisation, Wahroonga Corporation.
“It’s wonderful to see our community growing as people engage with our services. To now have the opportunity to take these services to a wider territory takes us a step closer to closing the gap.”
The Terrace clinic, set up in the former doctor’s surgery in Port Stephens Street, will provide additional access to services already delivered by Awabakal Medical Service in Hamilton.
It will also complement the outreach service Awabakal provides in Karuah.
The service provides primary health care, advocacy, social and emotional support to Aboriginal families in the Newcastle area.
In additional to growing their geographical reach, Awabakal has also recently expanded their services by becoming a registered NDIS provider.
It is also in the process of developing new youth programs to continue to work towards closing the gap in life expectancy by providing better services and opportunities for Aboriginal people from a young age.
Dianne Ball, a director of Awabakal Ltd and CEO of Wahroonga, said it was “gobsmacking” to see the clinic operational after her six-year push to see an Aboriginal medical service established in Port Stephens.
“Our people need choice,” Ms Ball said. “I’ve worked hard to break down barriers for Aboriginal people to access GPs in the area but for two Aboriginal organisations to come together with the same vision and provide a service like this, it’s really special.”
The Terrace clinic will be open two days a week.
Ellie-Marie Watts
A journalist with 10 years experience, Ellie-Marie connects readers to the stories that matter in their communities. A Port Stephens-based news, sport and event writer and photographer with a passion for human interest features.
A journalist with 10 years experience, Ellie-Marie connects readers to the stories that matter in their communities. A Port Stephens-based news, sport and event writer and photographer with a passion for human interest features.
