Royal Australian Air Force Exercise Kummundoo delivers healthcare services to the Kimberley

The Royal Australian Air Force’s dental, medical, and environmental health teams are celebrating a decade of Exercise Kummundoo with their largest deployment yet by delivering essential healthcare services to the Kununurra community.

Supporting the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation and Ord Valley Aboriginal Health Service, RAAF personnel are providing clinics and educational programs throughout October.

The new allied health and community outreach teams, which also include health and wellbeing specialists and a chef, will be stationed at sites in Kununurra such as White Gum Park and at OVAHS on Ironwood Drive.

Medical technician leading Aircraftwoman Alexa Stokes said the teams had been providing clients with triage services to allow them to go to OVAHS to get a full check-up.

“We’re also doing health work and 715 health checks, which involve an overall check about their health and sexual history to see if there are any concerns and if we need to refer them to the doctors at OVAHS’ clinic,” she said.

“I’ve enjoyed being here and learning more about the community and what their needs are, helping out with the kids as well, and trying to promote healthy life choices.”

Exercise Kummundoo was created with a focus on community engagement and delivering essential services aimed at improving primary healthcare outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

It creates opportunities for air force personnel to deploy into unique environments on mutually agreed projects guided by the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation.

Dental officer Flight Lt Yuen “Alexis” Dieu said the dentistry team was providing a full dental service, including restorations, fillings and surgeries, to provide a consistent and holistic level of care to patients who may not have access to a long-term dentist.

“I find the most challenging part of this is the anxiety because people here don’t get enough dental treatment,” she said.

“So working with them, particularly children, to get through that barrier and to get them comfortable.

“It’s not just the surgeries. I’m here to also return oral condition and oral health back to function, because dentistry is not just about teeth, it’s about how you smile and how to be confident about yourself.”

Indigenous Liaison Officer and Warrant Officer of Indigenous Affairs Flight Sgt Grant Biles said he was fortunate to do Exercise Kummundoo last year and would be focusing on how the community received and responded to the services.

“My role is to make sure they’re received well, have a couple of conversations, and try to alleviate any fears prior to going to see our clinicians,” he said.

“We’re making sure we’re there for the patient and their welfare, and understanding that we know it’s intimidating not just seeing a clinician, but seeing the (RAAF) uniform as well.

“We do understand the significance around that, but we’re trying to build ourselves as a familiar yet approachable uniform.”

The Ngemba and Murrawarri man praised the Kununurra community for engaging well with the provided services, acknowledging OVAHS interim chief executive Mary Baird and Waringarri Media.

Exercise Kummundoo will continue to operate until November 1.