A culturally appropriate $30 million aged care facility designed in conjunction with Yolngu leaders, the first of its kind in Australia, is about to open in Nhulunbuy in the NT’s East Arnhem Land.
Rirratjingu Aboriginal Corporation, founded in 1984, will operate the 32-bed home, with assistance from UnitingCare’s Australian Regional and Remote Community Services (ARRCS); it is expected to open in October.
The first eight residents will be Yolngu elders currently living in residential care in Darwin due to the lack of local facilities in East Arnhem Land.
Djapu clan elder Barayuwa Mununggurr, chairman of Yolngu health organisation Laynhapuy Health, told the ABC the building had gained Commonwealth funding and will eventually offer palliative and renal dialysis facilities to prevent sick people from East Arnhem Land having to travel to Darwin and Alice Springs for care.
