Karratha kids learn all about preventative health
Karratha students gathered at Bulgarra Oval on March 31 to learn more about health, wellbeing and first aid with St John WA and other local services.
Held in partnership with the City of Karratha and hosted by St John WA, the event brought together primary school students, local not-for-profits, allied health services and sponsors from around the Pilbara region.
Named Barnigu Waba Day (Ngarluma for “Be Healthy”), the day began with a welcome from local elder Melanie O’Donoghue.
Student groups participated in sessions covering physical and mental health, hygiene, nutrition, and financial wellbeing, while St John WA paramedics led first aid demonstrations alongside Karratha Sub Centre volunteers.
“Today we brought health literacy to 91 children in Karratha,” Jeremy Maitland-Smith, St John WA First Nations Relations Lead, said.
“Judging by what the kids and teachers have told us today, they have had such a great time.
“The idea of combining fun with the health information we’re providing has been really beneficial.”
Students were asked questions before and after each St John session, with confidence in responding to an emergency increasing from 32 per cent to 80 per cent.
Importantly, by the end of the day, 100 per cent of students were able to correctly identify Triple Zero (000) as the emergency number.
The results highlight the power of early education and community connection.
“In just one session, we’re seeing students move from not knowing what to do, to feeling confident to step in and help,” Angelina Robins, St John WA Social Sustainability Manager, said.
“This is what impact looks like and that’s how we build safer, more resilient communities.
“While St John WA focused on building students’ confidence to respond in emergencies, our stallholders played a critical role in supporting broader wellbeing from mental health to physical activity reinforcing a preventative, whole-of-health approach.”
Alongside St John WA, stallholders included Mawarnkarra Health Service, Anglicare, Epic, WA Centre for Rural Health, PKKP Aboriginal Corporation, The Youth Shed, Karratha Health Campus, WACHS and the Ear Science Institute – with each group providing fun, interactive activities including exercise sessions, sensory activities, and crafts.
Similar events have previously been held in the Northern Goldfields.
“I’d be encouraging any school to put their hand up to take part in a health day like this,” Tambrey Primary School Principal, Colin Chisholm, said.
“From what I’ve seen today, the kids are fully engaged – they’re happy and they’re listening.”
The event would not have been possible without the support of key sponsors including the City of Karratha and Programmed by Persol who supplied lunch.
St John WA is keen to continue expanding the event to other remote areas in Western Australia to improve health literacy among young people.
The initiative forms part of St John WA’s broader commitment to improving community wellbeing through three key pillars – Live Well, Connectedness and Respond – ensuring Western Australians are not only supported in emergencies, but equipped to prevent and respond to them.
St John WA is now encouraging other communities to explore similar initiatives, with opportunities to apply for support through the Community Impact Fund.
Interested in partnering with St John WA? Contact us today.
