When a clinic and its manager celebrate major milestones together, it is a special moment. For Nyirripi, the recent festivities honoured the clinics 30 years of community care and 20 years of leadership from Clinic Manager Ann Sanotti.
The remote community, located 440 kilometres from Alice Springs, came out in force to celebrate. At least 70 people, ranging from elders to young children, gathered to share in the event. The sense of spirit was unmistakable, with smiling faces all around. Even local schoolchildren took time away from class to attend, highlighting just how important the occasion was to the town.
For Ann, the most rewarding part of her 2 decades of service has been witnessing the growth in community participation.
"People are more aware of what the clinic can do for them to support their health," says Ann. "It is a central part of the community – people, including children, know that they can pop in anytime to get advice and help. I'm happy to say that all children under 5 continue to be immunised!"
Senior Remote Medical Practitioner Dr Aaron Ferguson, who has visited Nyirripi for 9 years, sees this connection firsthand. He describes working in the community as a privilege and credits Ann with fostering the rapport that makes the clinic a true local hub.
Dr Ferguson notes that Ann has achieved "engagement across the lifespan" - a rare commodity in rural clinics.
"This engagement with young adults, and their children, has put us on the front foot in being proactive to intervene early and reduce the burden of youth-onset obesity and diabetes," he said.
When asked what makes the collaboration work so well in such a remote setting, Dr Ferguson points to one key factor: "Respect of the people, of the place, and of the realities of remote community life and work for all."
Ann agrees, likening the team to a family. "It is a community effort to improve health awareness," she explains. "My hope for the future is to have someone from the community run the clinic, perhaps an Aboriginal health practitioner working their way up. I am nearing retirement age!"
The anniversary also honoured the local people who have shaped the clinic's history. The community celebrated elders Ada Dixon, Aboriginal Health Worker, and Ursula Butcher, one of the original cleaners, for their work at the clinic when it first opened its doors 30 years ago.
Today, staff members like Henry Wilson continue that legacy. For over 2 years, Henry has worked as a driver, cleaner, and gardener, helping in many ways and becoming an integral part of the clinic family.
The celebration offered a fitting tribute to 30 years of history, care, and connection. Congratulations to the entire Nyirripi Clinic team, past and present, on this incredible achievement.
