MAWARNKARRA HEALTH SERVICE

Building Healthier Communities Mawarnkarra Health Service (Mawarnkarra) acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the traditional custodians of land and sea across Australia. We acknowledge their continuing connection to culture and pay our respects to Elders past and present. We especially acknowledge and pay our respects to the traditional custodians of Roebourne; the Ngarluma People. Our Vision Mawarnkarra aspires to be a strong, sustainable and recognised health service that builds healthier communities and positive change for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and those who call Roebourne home. Our Mission Providing access to and delivering quality health services to improve the physical, spiritual, cultural, social and emotional wellbeing of the families of Roebourne and surrounding towns and communities. A Brief History Mawarnkarra was established in 1985 in Roebourne; and achieved incorporation under the Aboriginal Councils Associations Act (1976) on the 20th of March 1986. The name “Mawarnkarra” comes from the Yindjibarndi language and its meaning is translated to mean “one with power to heal”. Mawarnkarra is pronounced, “MAR –WARN- GAR-DAR”. In the Ngarluma language, we say, “MAR-BARN-GAR-DAR”. The Mawarnkarra symbol of the “Emu” or JARNGURNA represents the oil which is taken from the emu and is used for healing. In 2005, the new clinic complex at Sholl Street in Roebourne, where we continue to run our service from today, was completed. Mawarnkarra also delivers some Health Programs from a separate property that is also located on Sholl Street in Roebourne. In 2009, the incorporation status of the organisation was transferred from the Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations (ORIC) to the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC). The service is now registered as Mawarnkarra Health Service Limited.