In partnership with Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services, and with support from Marninwarntikura Women’s Resource Centre and House of Darwin, we worked closely with the Wangkatjungka Community to deliver this project, promoting social and emotional wellbeing, mental health, and suicide prevention outcomes for community.

Wangkatjungka is a large Aboriginal community situated 100km south-east of Fitzroy Crossing, WA. There are about 180 permanent residents, and the people are Wangkatjungka, Walmajarri, or Gooniyandi, with strong links to their desert culture. The Wangkatjungka community faces unique and disproportionately high challenges related to health, wellbeing, and cultural expression. Limited recreational spaces can hinder physical activity and community engagement, while the cultural significance of art and storytelling is underutilised in public spaces.

This underscores the urgent need for targeted, culturally appropriate interventions developed and implemented in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Guided by the Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Declaration’s ‘best of both worlds’ approach to combining cultural and clinical action, this project presented a unique opportunity to empower the Wangkatjungka community through this preventative health partnership.

Providing essential infrastructure is crucial as it enables a platform for engagement and service delivery, fostering a sense of community and belonging. Infrastructure such as basketball courts not only serve as physical spaces for sports and recreation but also act as central points for community gatherings, cultural events, and health programs. These spaces facilitate the delivery of essential services, including health education, mental health support, and social activities, which support the overall social and emotional wellbeing of the community.