Volunteering with AMRRIC

Bill Taylor's trip to Goulburn and Croker Islands

On Sunday we boarded a 10 seat light plane headed for Goulburn Island. Last summer was a bumper wet season in the top end and the flight over Kakadu and along the coastline to the island was spectacular. The creeks and rivers of Kakadu were overflowing and the bush was a brilliant green.

In the early afternoon, we arrived at the Warruwi community at Goulburn Island. The town is home to approximately 1000 people. It is by the beach and is made up of colourfully painted brick houses. The rugged bush and red earth meeting the ocean make for a stunning location.

It was immediately evident that there would be no shortage of potential patients. Most of the dogs on the islands have owners, however, there are very few fences so the dogs are free to wander the streets. There were dogs laying in the shade of trees and verandas, dogs playing on vacant blocks, dogs casually strolling along the roads and dogs socialising outside the general store. Whenever a local person was on their way somewhere, they would inevitably be followed by a group of dogs.

The dogs were generally in quite good condition. From all reports there had been a great improvement in this regard over the four years that Judith had been coming to the island.

The conditions for surgery were a little different to what we are used to in city practices. There was no sterilising unit or surgical gowns, hats or masks. We relied on an oven and chemical sterilisation of equipment. The temperature was over 30 degrees each day and it was no cooler in the surgery suite (shed).  Read more.

Skye Fruean - Yuendumu 2011

In October I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to participate in an animal health program in Yuendumu, an aboriginal community about 300km north-west of Alice Springs. Dr Stephen Cutter, our fearless leader, led the little volunteer contingent of myself and Yuendumu-veteran Dr Anne Fawcett, and in just 4 days, we managed to desex and treat for parasites 60 dogs. This was a great effort considering the undesexed dogs are getting harder and harder to find, after only a few years of veterinary visits like this one.

I’ve worked in community dog health programs overseas, but this was not only my first stint as an AMRRIC volunteer, but also my first visit to the Northern Territory. I feel extremely privileged and humbled to be given the opportunity to visit the stunning outback, and to meet and work with so many amazing, passionate people doing largely thankless work. Thanks must go to Gary and Angela, who let us turn their backyard into a vet clinic. Also Cecelia and Malaki, who welcomed us into their home, and last but definitely not least, Gloria “The Dog Lady”, whose passion drives the success of this dog program. I loved every minute of my working holiday and hope to be able to return to Yuendumu one day, to help more malaki (dogs) and, of course, go on Gloria’s amazing dog walks.


Dr Stephen Cutter and Dr Skye Fruen

Leah Wells - Milingimbi 2011

In August I had the opportunity to volunteer at Milingimbi. Milingimbi is a remote island community of around 1500 people, situated 500km east of Darwin and 250km west of Nhulunbuy. I had never been to this area before so was very excited about the trip.
The Dog Health Program on Milingimbi is managed by Dr Emma Kennedy who also takes care of an additional 8 communities within the East Arnhem Shire, as their Animal Welfare and Control Officer. After meeting Emma on Sunday night and discussing the protocols and details of the clinic we arrived at Milingimbi on Monday morning via a very scenic charter flight from Nhulunbuy. We set up our surgery in the workshop and then got straight to work collecting dogs and performing surgeries. Collecting of patients was something I was happy to leave to Emma as several patients required darting and she has built an excellent rapport with the community.
During the week we performed a total of 39 surgeries (including one cat!) which may not sound like a huge number in general practice but given the challenges collecting dogs and gaining owner authorisation I think we achieved good numbers and it was a very successful trip.
I enjoyed the opportunity to visit this remote and beautiful place and to spend time in the community, however, the highlight of this trip for me was meeting Emma. I was really impressed by her dedication and passion for the project and what she has achieved so far.
 

Ian Lewis – Maningrida 2011

Back in Melbourne adjusting to the routine and getting back into my work here makes Maningrida seem like another world away and in many ways it is just that.
It was my second trip to Maningrida and it was just as memorable and rewarding as the first. To be allowed by the local Indigenous community access to their well loved animals to try and help them improve "the lot" of their pets is indeed a privilege and one that is afforded to few Balandas. I find the learning experience unique and more than reward enough for whatever it is we are able to contribute to a culture from which Balandas have taken so much.
It was also a pleasure to work with everyone on the "Maningrida Team" of May 2011. The camaraderie was excellent  and everyone more than pulled their weight. The experience was made even more special by knowing that Gus Berger is following on where his uncle and auntie left off many decades ago. His work towards providing the Yolngu people with the ability to make their own recorded history of the culture from their old people who have knowledge and memories from before exposure to white people, and of ancient cultural traditions, will help to preserve this unique culture in a way not otherwise possible.
And who do we have to thank for all of this? Dr Ted of course and all I can say of my old mate is Ted, you are a legend!

Gloria Foxley

 
First day as a qualified vet nurse and I was off to Yuendumu’s dogs. Armed initially with more theory than practical use, I was soon sharing in the trapping, intubating, microchipping and administering all manner of injections, subcutaneous, intramuscular and intravascular! When presented with a case or two of priapism, I surprised myself with the speed at which I procured ice paddle pops and sugar. Yuendumu was this fledgling’s dream come true, thanks to the confidence of attending vet surgeons Steve Cutter, Anne Fawcett and Kath Tsimbas. I will sign up again, if Yuendumu’s dogs and people will have me.
 

 

Amanda Jane McKeon

What a privilege to be able to spend two weeks in Maningrida, NT working with a fabulous team on the dog health program! It seemed only a short time between stepping off the (little!) plane in my nicely polished boots into the heat and dust and finding myself behind the wheel of a clapped out ute, with trusty Frank by my side going out to visit community households and tranquilizing camp dogs! The amazing clinic which Ted conjured up each morning out of his many boxes lacked for nothing that you wouldn't find in a suburban clinic. Being outdoors we had a constant stream of indigenous kids visiting us on their bikes, peering into the surgery and asking all sorts of questions! Ted has been visiting this community for 9 years now and you can really see the results of his work. The vast majority of dogs had very little, if any mange... many were desexed and most were in good body condition. The community welcomed his visit and were keen to offer dogs up for desexing, parasite control and even the odd "cheeky " one for euthanasia. This is a testament to the time and patience Ted has put into developing relationships and trust with the community. So it was that 2 weeks later I got back on the plane wearing some very dirty, dusty boots with many happy memories and hoping that I might have made some small contribution to life in Maningrida!

 

 

Nat Noble’s Volunteer story – Maningrida Sept 10

When people ask me why I am drawn to work in places like Maningrida, I tell them "to me, Maningrida is the real world."
It’s a place where people embrace our country and live amongst the land, instead of hiding away from it in seas of concrete. As we flew into land in the small town the first thing that hit me was..............

Sabine Suess – Croker and Goulburn Islands October 2010

 

I recently had the opportunity to join Jude Mulholland and emergency nurse Cath McAdie on an AMRRIC dog health programme conducted on Croker and South Goulburn Islands in October 2010. We had a week to cover both islands, so tried to get a lot done in a very short time. It was an amazing experience to be able to visit the communities, Minjilang and Warruwi, in such remote and isolated conditions. I take my hat off to Jude...........

Dr Ian Lewis - Maningrida- Sept 2010

Challenging, confronting, educational and extremely rewarding are some of the words I would use to describe my first working visit to Maningrida in September with AMRRIC President Dr Ted Donelan.
 I spent over 2 weeks working alongside Frank Cooper (aka Frankie Sinatra - a local whose care and dedication to community animals is remarkable), Ted, Jan Allen (AMRRIC Program Manager ), Sophie Constable (AMRRIC Education Officer)  and veterinary students from Melbourne (Zoe and Ben) and Queensland (Nat). We treated over 600 dogs .....

 

Michaela Avery, Veterinary student, University of Sydney,

June –July ‘10- After hearing stories of AMRRIC adventures from other students at my uni, I was pretty eager to go along on a dog program and jumped at the chance to join Dr Jude Mulholland and vet nurse extraordinaire Denise Pagliaro on a dog desexing trip to Nyrripi and Yuelamu (two very remote communities, 480km and 300-odd km North West of Alice Springs respectively). I am so glad I did. Having little knowledge at all about  ..........

 
 

Serena Finlayson- Murdoch University WA final year veterinary student- Dec 2009

As a 5th year veterinary student, I had an amazing experience going on an AMRRIC Dog Health program trip to Yuendumu for one of my work experience placements.   On our arrival into Yuendumu on Sunday evening we could hear music emanating from the many different churches in the community until late in the night. We were not sure what to expect on the first day and were even accepting the possibility that may we not be able to desex any dogs at all. But by the end of the week, the vets had desexed over 90 dogs! My experience was made all the more better by........Serena pictured left at the amphitheatre with friends and afternoon thunderstorm approaching-Yuendemu

 

Alison Taylor- Canberra AVA Division- Oct 09

This project of having an aboriginal dog health programme supported by the Canberra community is really my “baby” at the moment. The opportunity to go to Maningrida to assist Ted Donolan with his programme had to be taken. It was thought by AMRRIC  that this was the next logical step for us in Canberra to take. That is, sending a local veterinarian to get a first hand experience of working in a community. Fortunately it was all possible due to the support of the ACT AVA ( Australian Veterinary Association), my clinic ( Kippax Veterinary Hospital) and my beautiful family. Read more of Alison's story............

 

Sasha Woodburn- University of QLD, veterinary student/researcher- Maningrida Story- Oct 09

 
Words of wisdom? Hmm, I'm not sure about that. All I can say is that I had the most amazing time. I agree with Ted- it was a diverse group- but all the better for it! I feel like I learned things from everyone there, and felt supported in the learning experience. To be honest I was a little surprised at how positive the whole experience was- the way we worked together, shared knowledge and responsibility; that everyone was encouraged to be involved in various aspects of the program- surgery through to door- to- door; and what a program such as this can achieve over time. It was great to see the relationships that Ted has built....

 

Emma Kennedy- Veterinarian - Maningrida Story-Sept 09

 
Words of wisdom... My very very quick visit to Maningrida, which was actually less than 24hours, was inspiring and a wealth of information none the less! People talk of their time in Maningrida as time away from the 'real-world', but for me, to be re-united with vets, engrossed in vet work, vet talk and a little more civilisation compared to Elcho Island, my 24 hrs in Maningrida was almost a little overwhelming!! Living and working on Elcho Island in Arnhem land, and currently only involved in ...
 

 

Abbie Couper- University of Melbourne veterinary student- Maningrida Program Oct 2009

I had a fabulous time in Maningrida, having left Melbourne, I feel, quite ignorant of indigenous affairs, living in the community for the couple of weeks, and being immersed in conversation each evening at the motel, has slightly improved my understanding of the situation. And, I hope now, since coming home and speaking to friends and family, that ripple effect from Ted and Jan will continue to flow, so that others gain just a little more interest, and may in each of our own ways aim to make a little bit of..........

 

 

Cassie Wittwer- Veterinarian- Kintore – August 2009

 
After a fantastically fun & rewarding stint of volunteer veterinary work in India in 2005 and then a couple years of exploring various parts of the northern hemisphere, I eventually came back to Australia feeling like I knew very little about my own country, and really had a lot more exploring to do right here. I think that volunteer work, particularly in our industry is a great way to get involved with a community and see a place through ‘locals’ eyes, rather than as a tourist. Having lived in a city for the majority of my life, like most city-dwelling Australians I don’t personally know any indigenous people, nor had I ever been to ........

 

Mark Powell-Ti Tree NT- Oct 2009

Having just returned from a week of Animal Health Program at Ti Tree 200 km north of Alice Springs I would like to thoroughly endorse the work of AMRRIC . Vets Steve Cutter and Kim Benning together with nurse Tess showed me how it is possible with a little enthusiasm a dash of experience and not much equipment or facilities to desex in excess of 25 semi wild animals each day with little or no help from their owners. There is a whole new skill set that needs to be learned......
 

 

Christopher Blow- Trainee Environmental Health Worker goes to the Western Desert- Pilbara-August 2009

Hello my name is Christopher Blow, I am an Aboriginal man originally from QLD and I have now called the NT home for the last 13 years. At the moment I am a trainee Environmental Health Officer with the Northern Territory Government. My job and personal interest is to try and protect the public’s health through the environment that we live in, be that in an urban,rural or remote situation. Being an Aboriginal man I am......

 

Kath Tsimbas- University of Sydney final year student on the Jigalong WA program- July 2009

I was extremely priviledged to accompany the AMRRIC crew to two remote remote Aboriginal communites, Jigalong and Cotton Creek, in Western Australia. Here as a Veterinarian student, I accompanied the vets and nurse in worming, de-sexing and euthanasing dogs in the communities. Words cannot express how rewarding this experience was. The team were proffessional and caring and the residents of the community were genuinely concerned for.....

Angie Connell- Kintore reflections- Nov 2008

I found the week I spent as a volunteer vet in an aboriginal community to be an incredibly img_7407.JPGrewarding experience. The program, run by AMRRIC, addressed the relative over population of dogs in the community by surgical desexing and initiated a parasite control program, aiming to reduce the incidence of zoonoses, aggression and subsequent dog bite injuries. The long term goals of  the program include...........

 

 

Ray Barnett- on Kintore- Nov 2008

julias-kintore-may-2-040.jpgIn May 2008 I had the privilege to be involved in an AMRRIC dog health programme in the Northern Territory community of Kintore. I had only recently heard of AMRRIC through a former workmate, “gypsy” Jan Allen, and thought a week of volunteer work in the desert would be a good holiday from demanding pet owners and the sound of ringing telephones which are some of the less pleasant realities of private veterinary practice. The trip proved to be thoroughly enjoyable and rewarding. It was an opportunity to work with....

Ray Barnett (pictured L desexing the hard way!!

Bonnie Cumming- UQ veterinary student- Speaking about Kintore- Nov 2008

julias-kintore-may-112.jpgAs a final year veterinary student at the University of Queensland with aspirations to ‘make a difference’, upon discovering AMRRIC and the amazing work that the organisation does I desperately wanted to be part of the team. I managed to convince Executive Officer Julia Hardaker that I was enthusiastic enough to volunteer on the 3rd stage of the Kintore pilot dog health program, and when accepted I could barely contain my....