Local Projects

DreamCricket is a program for children with a disability to build their confidence, self-esteem and mobility skills through participation in a fun and engaging program of modified cricket activities. The Rotary E-Club of Brindabella adopted DreamCricket as one of its major projects in 2013 and has run DreamCricket Gala days in Canberra in 2012 and 2014 in conjunction with Dream Cricket International, its partners and CricketACT. Over 120 students from 10 schools in the ACT and Queanbeyan attended the 2014 Gala Day at Kingston Oval where they enjoyed 10 different activities in rotation, culminating in an exciting “run-out” game to finish. During the previous week, clinics were held at the participating schools to familiarise the students, teachers and carers with the program. Great support was received from 6 Canberra Rotary Clubs who provided members to assist the children, a barbecue lunch and donated kits of equipment to attending schools so that the program could be continued at the school. Qualified and experienced coaches were provided by Cricket ACT led by the DreamCricket Co-ordinator Rick McCarthy OAM.

This year’s program will be held on April 9 at Kingston Oval and it is hoped that it will attract an even wider level of interest. Funding to run the day is being provided from the proceeds of the Antiques and Collectibles Fair at the Albert Hall on March 21/22. Our Club is providing all the assistance needed to run this event over this weekend and has responded marvellously.

DreamCricket is expanding rapidly into all States and demonstration events have been held in India, Sri Lanka and Nepal. Under a new Strategic Plan developed last weekend, steps are being taken to have the program recognised as an official Australian Rotary Program. A major fundraising program is also being commenced.

Bruce Harvey

bruce.harvey302@gmail.com

DreamCricket is a program for children with a disability to build their confidence, self-esteem and mobility skills through participation in a fun and engaging program of modified cricket activities. The Rotary E-Club of Brindabella adopted DreamCricket as one of its major projects in 2013 and has run DreamCricket Gala days in Canberra in 2012 and 2014 in conjunction with Dream Cricket International, its partners and CricketACT. Over 120 students from 10 schools in the ACT and Queanbeyan attended the 2014 Gala Day at Kingston Oval where they enjoyed 10 different activities in rotation, culminating in an exciting “run-out” game to finish. During the previous week, clinics were held at the participating schools to familiarise the students, teachers and carers with the program. Great support was received from 6 Canberra Rotary Clubs who provided members to assist the children, a barbecue lunch and donated kits of equipment to attending schools so that the program could be continued at the school. Qualified and experienced coaches were provided by Cricket ACT led by the DreamCricket Co-ordinator Rick McCarthy OAM.

This year’s program will be held on April 9 at Kingston Oval and it is hoped that it will attract an even wider level of interest. Funding to run the day is being provided from the proceeds of the Antiques and Collectibles Fair at the Albert Hall on March 21/22. Our Club is providing all the assistance needed to run this event over this weekend and has responded marvellously.

DreamCricket is expanding rapidly into all States and demonstration events have been held in India, Sri Lanka and Nepal. Under a new Strategic Plan developed last weekend, steps are being taken to have the program recognised as an official Australian Rotary Program. A major fundraising program is also being commenced.

Bruce Harvey

bruce.harvey302@gmail.com

SANTA TERESA Dialysis project update report

THE PROJECT: Upgrade of an existing building in Santa Teresa for use as a Dialysis Centre. This project followed the pattern set by an existing Rotary project in Kintore. The Dialysis Centre in Santa Teresa will be managed by the same management team (WDNWPT) that has worked closely with Rotary District 9710 Clubs for the past 5 years.

Our sub-project purchased medical equipment to enable the Dialysis Centre to open.

What are THE BENEFITS OF THE PROJECT…Benefits are three fold i.e. Health, Social and financial. Aboriginal people in remote areas of Australia suffer from a high incidence of Renal Failure which requires Dialysis. Unfortunately Dialysis is provided in a centralised model which requires people to move to Alice Springs. As a consequence Aboriginal people are required to move from their homes into a hospital without family support. The WDNWPT team have proven by installing localised Dialysis facilities that health outcomes are greatly increased. Social outcomes are also improved as families can stay together in their community. Financial outcomes are also improved as this model of Dialsysis is cheaper to manage and run than the centralised model.

FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS. The Rotary Club of Canberra North provided $10,000 to kickstart this project. We also applied for a District Grant and were successful with a $4,000 Grant. The equipment purchased is detailed below:

Conclusion The Kintore (and other similar) projects have proven the methodology and work practices for building successful Dialysis centres in remote parts of Australia. The Kintore project has also proven that Rotary can work with Aboriginal Communities to provide enhanced Health, social and financial benefits. The Santa Teresa project will continue this District’s proud record of achievement with the WDNWPT Team.

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We are up and running in Santa Teresa today…with Robbie the first recruit!

 Apparently enjoyed the experience and choosing his movie!

MEDIA RELEASE: MAKING ALL OUR FAMILIES WELL

12 February 2014

On the eve of the Prime Minister’s ‘Closing the Gap’ report to Parliament, Western Desert Dialysis (Western Desert Nganampa Walytja Palyantjaku Tjutaku Aboriginal Corporation ) is proud to release a report into the Service Delivery Model of remote dialysis in Central Australia.

This report was conducted by EY as part of their pro bono commitment to partnering with Indigenous communities and organisations.

WDNWPT is a community controlled health service providing dialysis services in five remote communities, from our Purple Truck and in Alice Springs.

Jim Birch AM, Government and Public Sector Lead for EY commented:

This Service Delivery Model report documents the unique combination of services and approach to patient care and community engagement that has allowed for significant success particularly in terms of patient participation.

In summary, the report highlights a series of benefits from the Western Desert Dialysis model of care including;

• Expenditure indicating cost effectiveness
• Higher patient participation rates
• Better clinical outcomes
• High levels of clinical safety.

Further the EY team highlight that:

By supporting people to remain on country, there is a greater prospect of children accessing education, adults contributing economically and communities remaining safe and stable.’

Sarah Brown (CEO of WDNWPT) said

We have known for a long time that there are huge benefits to individuals, families and whole communities from helping people to remain on country for dialysis treatment. This report articulates this. Often when talking about the need for more dialysis out bush, communities have been fobbed off with a response of ‘It’s too expensive’. This shows that this is just not true!

Western Desert Dialysis thanks EY wholeheartedly for doing this important piece of work.

WDNWPT will launch the report at 11 am on Wednesday 12th February 2014 at their ‘PURPLE HOUSE’ base at 69 Flynn Drive, Alice Springs.

For enquiries;

Sarah Brown, CEO WDNWPT 0448685610 or ceo@wdnwpt.com.au