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PH: 4862 2027 |
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MY EYECARE TRIPS
When I received my optometry degree I didn't appreciate how the profession was one through which an enormous difference can be made to prevent blindness to disadvantaged populations. Most of the blindness and impaired vision in the world is simply due to the need of an eye examination and a pair of spectacles. Sight can make the difference between a life of poverty and a life of opportunity. WESTERN NSW 2016 - 2023
Optometric service programs are also provided in many NSW country areas. These clinics are government funded and conducted in Aboriginal Medical Services or in community buildings. In 2016 - 2023 Darryl provided locum services to Cobar, Wellington, Coonabarabran, Baradine, Brewarrina, Walgett, Collarenebri, Condobolin and Lake Cargelligo. Some of these involved spectacular light plane flights from Bankstown airport with the Royal Flying Doctor Service. BESWICK AND BARUNGA JUNE 2016
Barunga is situated 80 km east of Katherine along the Central Arnhem Highway, with Beswick (Wugularr) a further 30km east on the Waterhouse River. Barunga has a population and around 300 and Beswick has around 500 people. The renowned Barunga Festival is held on the long weekend in June each year and is a celebration of culture, music, traditional arts and sport. Both communities have a health clinic, a school and a store. And both have lots of bats as in the photos. (Click on thumbnails below to view larger images)
NGUKURR OCTOBER 2015
Ngukurr is an aboriginal community 3.5 hours by road east of Katherine on the Roper River. It was originally the Roper River Mission, with ruins of the old Roper Bar police station still visible today. The community was moved to its present site in 1940 due to flooding problems. Population is around 1000 with a school, a health clinic, an Anglican church, a store and a police station. (Click on thumbnails below to view larger images)
ARNHEM LAND AUGUST 2014
This trip was based in Nhulunbuy on the Gove peninsula. For many years Gove has been the site of a bauxite mine and aluminia refinery with large deep water harbour infrastructure for export. In 2014 Rio Tinto shut down the refinery and is now just exporting the raw material. Resultant has been an enormous loss of employment, with subsequent population exodus. The peninsula has spectacular beaches and water views and is renowned for its fishing and other water activities. (Click on thumbnails below to view larger images)
CENTRAL AUSTRALIA JUNE 2014
Alcoota (Engawala), Bonya and Atitjere (Harts Range) are communities in Central Australia that I have previously been to and particularly enjoyed, so I was pleased when the opportunity arose to travel there again. (Click on thumbnails below to view larger images)
CHANG MAI JULY 2013
Nikki’s Place Agape Home is in Chang Mai Thailand where around 100 children unloved by their families, society and their culture are given a home and the love that they deserve. The home was established in 1996 resultant to the spread of HIV/AIDS, when the lives of many children were impacted with the loss of parents, children being in at risk situations and with no other options for their care. Most of the children are HIV positive or at risk of, and Agape changes their lives. (Click on thumbnails below to view larger images)
Another orphanage was also visited, this one with less resources and based in temporary accommodation as the images show.
(Click on thumbnails below to view larger images) ELCHO ISLAND 2012
Whilst in my years away from private practice, I developed a passion for indigenous eyecare, travelling many times to the Northern Territory to provide clinical services to remote aboriginal communities for ICEE – the International Centre for Eyecare and Education. I continue to do clinic trips three or four times a year, and appreciate the understanding of my patients and the interest that they show in these trips. As many people enjoy hearing of these trips and the stories that I return with, here is an insight into my latest trip. (Click on thumbnails below to view larger images)
![]() SRI LANKA
Following the tsunami of 2004 eyecare aid programs were undertaken by ICEE to replace lost visual aids, deliver eyecare services and to train local people in the delivery of these services. I was fortunate enough to be part of the first team in the program just weeks after the tsunami and then led a subsequent team. The teams travelled to the politically disadvantaged east coast holding clinics in Batticaloa, Trincomallee, Akkaraipattu, Kalumnai and the LTTE region. The people were particularly appreciative of the services that were brought and commonly gratitude was expressed with big smiles and sometimes kisses of our hands and feet. (Click on thumbnails below to view larger images)
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CENTRAL AUSTRALIA MARCH 2012
This trip was a clinic run from Alice Springs out to the remote communities 350-450km north west including Yuendumu and Nyrrippi. Yuendumu is one of the larger inland communities of Walpiri people and has a school, three stores, a lovely health centre and an aboriginal arts centre. Nyrrippi is much smaller, around 200 people, about 150km west and was established in the 1970’s. It has a school, accommodation, a council building and a small health centre and a great AFL team. (Click on thumbnails below to view larger images)
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