Author // Georgina Auton, Place Graceville
Australia is often described as the lucky country. We have access to great opportunities and healthcare, but for many of those living out in western Queensland, they’re doing it tough.
With concerns of drought and lack of consistent medical treatments, these issues pose real threat to the rural communities.
As part of a small but committed team, psychologist Selena Gomersall formed Outback Futures in 2013 after Selena visited a rural community in north-west Queensland.
“We were approached to visit a particular group of people at a camp,” Selena says.
“We thought we understood the bush until we went out there and realised there’s such a gap between what resources are in the city and the reality of our outback families.”
Outback Futures aims to bring help and hope to the families doing it tough in these remote Queensland communities. Remarkably, a return trip from Longreach to Brisbane for medical treatment can cost upwards of $1000!
Image: Outback Futures
Selena says families may have to take three days off and travel with their kids for hours to reach a nearby town or small city in order to get adequate medical treatment.
So, the team at Outback Futures bring in small teams of healthcare professionals to assist, such as doctors, paediatricians, physiotherapists, psychologists, speech pathologists and even learning and literacy specialists
Speech pathologists will often consult with children afterwards over Skype to ensure they are progressing.
All of the work the team do at Outback Futures focuses on suicide prevention, as depression and other pressures resulting from an isolated lifestyle can have huge impacts on mental health.
“I think the key result we see in these communities is the sense of courage and mateship and the great tenacity of the bush actually gets a voice as people start to realised they’re valued and they start to get support,” Selena says.
“Things start to change and they start to get a sense that the big gap between city and bush might be closing, even in a small way.”
Selena says the work they do at Outback Futures isn’t about offering charity to the west, but rather supporting, protecting and respecting them.
“It’s about inequality and reducing inequality and investing in a sustainable outback.”
We chatted with Selena about the incredible work Outback Futures is doing in towns you might never have heard of.
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If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, please contact Beyond Blue or Lifeline 13 11 14