Place stories

Saving lives through mobile clinics

Australia has one of the highest skin cancer rates in the world, with more than 2,000 Australians dying from this disease each year. But if diagnosis occurs early, the fatality rate is significantly reduced. There are just 15 out of 199 dermatologists holding clinics in eight Victorian country towns.

The Lions V District Cancer Foundation Inc received $25,000 through FRRR’s Strengthening Rural Communities program, funded by The William Buckland Foundation (managed by Equity Trustees), towards converting a van into a free mobile screening clinic and purchasing a truck with which to tow the van. Thanks to volunteer dermoscopists, they have travelled far and wide screening more than 1,000 people and referring over a third to specialists.

“With the appointments of a Screening visit coordinator and Driver Coordinator, the unit is now being booked by Lions Clubs across Victoria. The coordinators manage the process and identify screeners and driver logistics to maximise the efficiency of the unit as it travels. The unit was booked out in 2020 and has many reservations now for 2021 and even 2022.”

Injalak Arts celebrates contemporary culture in Gunbalanya

The traditional owners of Gunbalanya is the Gumurdul family who allow Injalak to operate on their land and are actively supportive of the art centre.

Gunbalunya’s Injalak Arts centre in West Arnhem Land supports over 350 Indigenous Kunwinjku artists and, pre-COVID, welcomed thousands of tourists visit every year.

With COVID restrictions meaning no visitors allowed, Injalak Arts ran a two-week music workshop and a week-long live video production workshop to enable local artists to demonstrate their creative expertise and talents, as well as developing new skills in live television production.

This involved song recording contributions from local musicians, and coaching and mentoring for eight members of a newly formed Media Unit.

A $10,000 Strengthening Rural Communities grant, funded by the Tim Fairfax Family Foundation, enabled Injalak Arts to pay artist and consultation fees to the Indigenous Australians who led the workshops.