The Australian District we partnered with for our GSE last year also gave us the opportunity for a Global Grant. After many years, the first remote renal dialysis service recently opened on the APY lands in far north South Australia at Pukatja (Ernabella). Known by the name of Purple House, the facility is run by the Western Desert Nganampa Walytja Palyantjaku Tjutaku Aboriginal Corporation (WDNWPT), with its CEO Sarah Brown. WDNWPT is run by Aboriginal people from remote communities with input and leadership from the Pukatja Community Council, the APY Council, NPY Women’s Council and the APY Art Collective. There has also been a growing association with Rotary clubs over the past ten years. Their CEO, Sarah Brown, has been a popular motivational speaker at District conferences and Institutes over the past few years. In 2017, she presented at a District Conference in Mount Gambier and talked of her experiences with the existing Purple House facilities and, of course, the Purple House bus, a mobile dialysis unit. Many present that day were inspired by her presentation, and talk began about Rotary Clubs joining forces to provide much needed assistance to this latest project. |