Telethon Kids Institute staff at the Warmun remote community pool
Skin health story book unveiled at Remote Pool
Warmun community pool is the local gathering place for more than just the town, with the Telethon Kids Institute recently attending a busy barbeque and presenting an emerging Indigenous health resource.
More than 70 locals came together for the day to enjoy a swim while providing community feedback on the first iteration of a story book which addresses skin health issues.
With Aboriginal people in remote communities at greater risk of skin infections, the Telethon Kids Institute implemented the ‘SToP’ Skin Sores and Scabies Trial project to See, Treat, and Prevent infections in these areas.
The valuable resource titled, ‘The Berrembi jarragboo-boorroo wajawoorroo men’gawoom Gijam’ or ‘Gija Healthy Skin Story’ storybook was co-developed with community members after Warmun Elders called for material promoting skin health.
Since 2019, researchers have been visiting communities across the Kimberley as a collaborative effort between the Telethon Kids Institute, Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services, Western Australian Country Health Services and Nirrumbuk Environmental Health Services.
Royal Life Saving WA’s Warmun pool manager, Steve Waterman, says the pool acts as a meeting place to encourage community growth and development.
“The pool is a great place for locals to get together, hang out, learn and have a good yarn,” he said.
“Thanks to Telethon Kids, it was the perfect place for the kids and Community Elders to view the first version of the picture book and give valuable feedback.”
The long-anticipated storybook is written in English and the local Gija language, and features photos and artworks inclusive of both Traditional and Western medicines.
The final version is now being produced with printed copies soon to be available to improve the awareness, detection and treatment of skin infections in the Kimberley. Thank you, Steve, for supporting this valuable event!
To learn more about how our Remote Pools program contributes to regional and remote communities, visit the link below:
