outreach trip 2: fitzroy crossing and bayulu community

The Fitzroy Valley has shifted seasons since I was last here. The daytime temperature has reduced from 43 degrees to a mild 35 degrees. Broad storm fronts have caused the Fitzroy River to swell and rise up the banks. Grasshopper plagues peppered the windscreen and filled up the gaps in the front grill of the car.

“Drive for 15 minutes up the highway, then turn right at the big hill”

Once again, I was privileged to visit a small Aboriginal community. A group of four year olds led me to the clinic, then went back to their stick and rock games. There was a lot of laughter, possibly induced by my new broad-brimmed hat. It was a fantastic paediatric clinic. The cheeky kids and proud mums gave me the impression that Bayulu is thriving.

The Fitzroy River in full flow

The black kite probably met the same fate as its lunch.

outreach clinic 1: fitzroy crossing, noonkanbah, wangkatjungka

Over the next six months, I'll be visiting the Fitzroy Valley regularly to conduct child health clinics. My first five-day trip has given me much to write about: outback characters, 360 degree horizons, isolation and the other country that seems to exist in Australia. This post focuses on a group of great people I hope to continue working with.

The Fitzroy Valley has one of the highest rates of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder (FASD) in the world. 1 in 8 children are affected. It is caused by drinking alcohol during pregnancy, which can result in the child having brain damage. Behaviour, thinking ability and performance of everyday tasks are usually affected. It is incredible that this preventable disability is so common in a first-world country, the extent was only appreciated when a study was published one year ago. There is some good news though: drinking in pregnancy is reducing, and the children can improve their thinking with appropriate therapy.

But how do you get teams of therapists to some of the most remote areas in Australia? A non-government organisation, Patches Paediatrics, is attempting this massive task. I met their team at a remote community school, and was surprised to see a physiotherapist, neuropsychologist, speech pathologist, occupational therapist and paediatrician working with the kids. The team works closely with the local community, and the whole process was very impressive. I'll meet them again next month, and I believe there's great potential for their healthcare model in rural childhood chronic disease.

For more information, have a look at this TED talk by the director of Patches Paediatrics.

My nausea-inducing ride to one of the clinics

pub conversations at fitzroy crossing

Rodney, an Aboriginal cattle ringer, proudly told me about his son’s bull-riding.

“He’ll be big in the rodeo one day.

He’ll earn good money. Maybe help me out.”

Rodney then rubs the memory of his hands. His fingers are bent and gnarled, and there are irregular bony lumps in palm. I ask him how he worked on the land with hands that had been repeatedly fractured.

“Just had to do it.

Wish I could get some money because I can’t work that well now.”

We chatted about the importance of family, then he shook my hand weakly as we parted.