At Karuah, which is home to a community of between 120 and 140 Indigenous people including many elders, support has been strong since the statewide lockdown was announced on August 5.

Newly appointed Karuah Local Aboriginal Land Council chief executive Dave Kernick said that it was important to keep the vulnerable among the Aboriginal population safe by obeying the health orders and minimising movement.

"We are most appreciative of the support we have received, particularly from the Awabakal medical unit who continue to call on to the Karuah community. On August 26 they ran a pop-up mobile clinic here and managed to vaccinate 42 people," he said.

"The community has also received access to mental health programs and support from Raymond Terrace Rotary Club who have provided clothing and food items."

Awabakal's Raymond Terrace clinic manager Matt Schumacher said that the mobile clinic had been organised in partnership with the Land Council at the request of a number of elders who had travelled to the Raymond Terrace clinic to get their vaccines.

"We will be going back out after three weeks to do the second doses, which we have put aside for this purpose, and will hopefully have enough supply by then to be able to provide first doses to anyone else in the community who wants to get vaccinated. We're happy to work with the community to help keep them safe," Mr Schumacher said.

"The vaccinations were given to a mix of age groups, from teens up to elders. We are aware that many of the communities we work with would be particularly vulnerable to an outbreak and so we are doing everything we can to provide doses to those that want and need them."

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Awabakal Ltd is one of several Aboriginal organisations that have partnered together to help protect Port Stephens and the wider region.

"We are able to collectively provide a range of services including food support, community connection, family services and disability support."

Mr Kernick paid tribute to the Raymond Terrace Rotary Club which had been providing occasional support in the way of blankets and clothing for those in need.

"They have also assisted with delivery of food items to aid our elders," he said.

"Also we have had the Local Area Police Command liaising regularly with us to ensure the local Aboriginal community remain safe and as well informed with regards the recent COVID-19 restrictions and stay at home orders.

"Other organisations/government bodies to have assisted by providing food boxes for community members in need due to COVID-19 restrictions include the NSW Aboriginal Land Council, Department of Health, Port Stephens Council, Aboriginal Affairs and police.

"Aboriginal Affairs have been very supportive in the supply and delivery for personal protective equipment for our cleaning staff who provide cleaning services to our elders."

Mr Kernick said that Awabakal Medical provided an outreach GP clinic to Karuah two days a week and while restrictions were in place they were making telephone consultations and only visiting high needs patients.

"The pop up clinic will be back on September 16. Our aim is to get all members in the community vaccinated who wish to be as soon as possible."

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