THE HON WARREN SNOWDON MP
Minister for Indigenous Health
Member for Lingiari
THE HON GERRY MCCARTHY MLA
Northern Territory Member for Barkly
17 July 2012
Minister for Indigenous Health and member for Lingiari, Warren Snowdon, and Member for Barkly, Gerry McCarthy, today announced that families in Alpurrurulam, Lake Nash, would soon have access to a community laundry facility.
Mr Snowdon said up to $300,000 dollars would be provided for the facility, an initiative which is also supported by Barkly Shire Council.
“Keeping kids in clean clothes is important, it can help prevent skin diseases, as well as contributing towards cleaner living which can reduce the incidence of eye and ear diseases,” he said.
"Healthy kids are naturally going to do better at school, and that will affect the rest of their lives."
Mr Snowdon said FaHCSIA and the General Practice Network NT is providing six industrial washing machines to be installed in the dedicated community facility at Lake Nash.
“The GP Network NT will continue to develop the Skin Disease and Community Wellness preventative health initiative and will use of the new washing machines as part of its service delivery, education and community support program,” Mr Snowdon said.
Mr McCarthy welcomed the decision and said the laundry would be a valuable addition to the remote town located 600km east of Tennant Creek.
“The 800-odd people in the community of Alpurrurulam will be healthier and happier because of the benefits brought by this new laundry,” he said.
“The washing facilities will cost a minimal to operate so they are accessible for families and the operation costs will be used to maintain power to the site and maintain equipment.”
Mr McCarthy said diseases like scabies, Otitis Media and Trachoma could also be prevented by keeping clean and washing faces and ears.
He said visiting the local clinic and health care providers would also help.
For more information, contact the minister’s office on 02 6277 7820