Martu Elder Bobby Roberts has come Home. Bobby’s inner-joy and contentment shone brightly through his dark, glistening eyes as he completed his initial treatment in the new Respite Renal Dialysis and Dental Centre at Jigalong.

Bobby (55), Patricia Fry and Leslie Watson were the first patients to return to Country for treatment at the centre, which the Governor of WA, Dr Ken Michael AC, officially opened on May 12 2009.

Bobby’s daughter and grandchildren were on hand to walk with him, whistling and humming, as he approached the centre.

“I’m excited, very happy, and I feel different,” said Bobby after his procedure, one he has undertaken three times a week for the past dozen years. “I’m glad to be home, and my family are very happy to have me here amongst them.

“Fred (Ordynski) has been very good, he’s one of the best blokes I’ve met, and we’ve become very good friends.”

Fred Ordynski was previously Manager of Technical Services for Dialysis at Royal Perth Hospital and is now Managing Director of Dialysystems Pty Ltd.

He was the man Telfer’s Community Relations Superintendent Leon van Erp enlisted about five years previously to help Newcrest progress planning for a respite dialysis facility in the Jigalong community.

Newcrest’s involvement followed an appeal from the Martu Consultative Committee to help establish such a facility.

Fred Ordynski appeared equally elated at the end of the first two-week dialysis session at the centre.

“For years we were told we couldn’t do it,” Fred recalled.

“Well, look around us here today. We’ve done it. Everything’s worked well and the patients are over-joyed.

“Personally, I feel elated when I look around this room and see it filled with patients who are relaxed and blossoming - this is rehabilitation in its truest sense,” Fred said.

Patricia Fry (62), a dialysis patient since 1998, echoed and reflected the sentiments being expressed this day.

“It’s good to be here,” Patricia said.

“I grew up in Jigalong, this is my home. I can now visit my daughter, family and friends - they’re pleased to see me, and I feel free.

“The only sad thing is that I’ll have to go back to Perth,” she said.

It’s a shared emotion. While Patricia was Perth-bound after this initial dialysis session at Jigalong, Bobby and Leslie Watson were headed for Port Hedland to continue their regular treatment regimes.

Until now, the Port Hedland Hospital housed the only facility in the Pilbara region for patients in need of haemodialysis.

There is insufficient funding currently available to maintain a full-time dialysis and dental facility at Jigalong.

However, a second two-week dialysis session was conducted in February this year.

The Jigalong Dialysis and Dental Centre is expected to open four times a year until mid-2012, when its future will be reviewed.

There appears to be no shortage of clientele. Fred Ordynski expects three more candidates will request the service before long.

The next step, according to Leon van Erp, is to introduce regular dental treatment at the centre for Jigalong residents.

“We have got a fair amount of work to do before we can open the dental clinic but, hopefully, we will be able to offer the service in the first half of 2010,” Leon said.

The Jigalong dialysis project had taken about five years to become a reality.

On receiving their land rights, the Martu and Newcrest Mining Limited established a Consultative Committee to investigate ways they could cooperate for their mutual benefit.

The Martu asked Newcrest to assist them in establishing a dialysis program in their homelands to enable their people who were afflicted with renal disease to return home, at least periodically, to spend time with their families, and to fulfill their cultural commitments.

Broad support

In addition to Newcrest’s leadership role, many organisations also helped create the reality through financial or associated support.

They included Jigalong Community Incorporated, LotteryWest, BHP Billiton, the Pilbara Area Consultative Committee in partnership with the Federal Department for Health and Ageing, Western Desert Lands Aboriginal Corporation, Dialysystems, and the medical staff of the Jigalong Clinic.

Bobby Roberts returns to Country, accompanied by some family members.