About the program

In many remote communities across Australia, levels of poverty and infant mortality are comparable to those in some developing countries, with the life expectancy of Indigenous Australians approximately 10 years (11.5 years for men and 9.7 years for women) less than that of other Australians.

Indigenous Australians, especially those living in remote areas, have fewer opportunities to maintain and improve their health and life situation than non-Indigenous Australians. They do not have the same access to employment, housing, medical services and education, nor are they equally engaged in our social and political systems.   

Through a series of interrelated projects including eye health, community engagement and development, aural health, literacy, nutrition, woman's development, and training and skills development, The Foundation is able to address the underlying causes of health inequity.

Eye health
The eye health of Indigenous Australians is comparable to that of some developing countries. The Foundation and its partners work to deliver eye health education and services to people living in remote Australian communities through initiatives such those listed below.

Central Australian Integrated Eye Health program
The program is using The Foundation's expertise in eye health and our links with Indigenous organisations to begin clearing the backlog of cataract and other eye health diseases in Central Australia. The program services a population of 55,000 people living in Central Australia and is one of the largest coordinated eye health programs (geographically) in the world.

Outreach Optometry program
The program coordinates private optometrists to visit remote communities that are otherwise overlooked because of the difficulty of travel and the lack of direct links to eye health services.

Ready Readers program
The Ready Reader Program stocks Community Stores with ready-made spectacles, similar to those sold in suburban pharmacies. Store staff are trained to help customers choose the glasses to best suit their needs.

Eye health promotion campaigns
Our eye health promotion campaigns target nutrition, injury prevention and eye care.

Aural health
The Foundation, in partnership with the Honda Foundation, supports Sunrise Health Service to provide aural (ear & hearing) health checkups in communities to the east of Katherine in the Northern Territory. The program is tackling middle ear infection which affects almost half of the young children in some communities in the East Katherine region. Poor aural health can limit a child's language skills, and restricts their participation in school and social life.

Literacy
The Indigenous Literacy Project is a partnership with the Australian Book Sellers Association and the Australian Publishers Association. It delivers much needed books and learning resources to remote communities. Literacy learning is also woven into youth writing and music workshops as well as school holiday activities and community festival management training.

Nutrition
Australia's remote Indigenous communities are challenged with severely limited access to fresh foods. The Foundation boosts healthy food supply through local community stores, produce gardens, school breakfast programs and training in healthy food selection and preparation. The Foundation also works with Indigenous health workers and family centres to overcome infant anaemia and poor nutrition.

Community engagement and development
Celebrations and cultural events sustain the spirit of unity and culture that is vital for those living in isolated areas and provide reconciliation and learning opportunities for the wider community. The Foundation promotes these celebrations by providing support and training to the community leaders and event managers who organise them.

Women's development
Women's centres provide essential services in remote areas including meals for the aged, child and maternal health programs, and family crisis support. The centres also act as a voice for women within the community. The Foundation provides training, management advice and networking opportunities for these women. Women's centres provide essential services in remote areas including meals for the aged, child and maternal health programs, and family crisis support. The centres also act as a voice for women within the community. The Foundation provides training, management advice and networking opportunities for these women.

Training and skills development
The Foundation plays an important role in training and skills development for remote communities. The Foundation supports communities with training in governance, management and diplomacy; financial literacy; health care; information technology; events management; food preparation and handling.