Walter loves to drive. He’s been driving patients to the local medical clinic in Milingimbi for more than 20 years.
The waters of Milingimbi (also known as Yurrwi), a small island community off the coast of the Northern Territory, are home for Walter.
“I was born here. I grew up here,” Walter says.
Walter lives in the community with his wife Sandra, or Dhumi as she is known, who works as a receptionist at the Miwatj Health managed Malmaldharra Health Centre, and often accompanies Walter on transport runs in his troop carrier. It’s a team effort.
In his early life, Walter’s work was varied.
“When I came out of school I worked in accounting, housing and the public service. Then I worked in teaching. But I got enough of a headache from the kids,” Walter jokes.
Walter was given the opportunity to work as a courier driver at the school and now works fulltime in patient transportation for the medical clinic.
“I work to support my kids and for my wife, and for my household,” Walter says.
Walter believes the health of his community is a collaborative effort.
“We’re working outside and inside, building a bridge together,” he says.
Walter’s role involves not only collecting patients for their appointments, but also encouraging them to come in.
“I encourage children to go to see the child doctor,” Walter says.
“Some children and adults have cardiac problems. So, coming to see the nurse educators means people in my community learn more about heart and diabetes health. Especially around eating the right foods for our heart.
Little by little, Walter plants seeds hoping they will grow.
“It can be a tough job sometimes when you know people should come for their appointment but they decide not to. In my language, they might say “yalala” which to me means ‘stop, next month’ they’ll come.
“Sometimes when I ask them, sometimes they don’t want to go. And I just leave it to them and they think about it later and come to the clinic.”
Walter also visits the clinic himself as a patient.
“Sometimes I go to the clinic for my own health, my personal health,” Walter says.
“We need to have regular check-ups to look after ourselves.”
Northern Territory PHN is proud to provide funding for specialist clinicians to visit Milingimbi and support the community’s health needs.
