Introducing the Barunga Remote Laundries Project

In the remote community of Barunga, 80 kms southeast of Katherine in the Northern Territory, stands a shipping container packed with commercial grade clothes washers and dryers that are literally saving the lives - and hearts - of First Nations people.
In just four years, the Barunga Remote Laundry installed by the Aboriginal Investment Group, a 100% Indigenous owned corporation, has led to a 60 percent reduction in scabies presentations in the Barunga community. This means people living in Barunga are now much less likely to get acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD) - life-threatening damage to one or more of the heart valves - commonly linked to repeat scabies infestations and skin infections. This is Barunga’s story, and it shows that success is achievable when community leads on solutions with the support of others.
The Heart Foundation is proud to be partnering with the Aboriginal Investment Group to help secure funding that would enable AIG to continue rolling out these vital laundries to communities that want them. There are four AIG Remote Laundries at present, another four on the way - but more than 40 remote communities who may want one. Our big thanks to Barunga, AIG and Sunrise Health Service for welcoming us last weekend for the Barunga Festival.
We acknowledge and pay respect to the Traditional Owners of the Bagala clan of the Jawoyn people, past, present and emerging. The Bagala clan are the custodians of the land on which the Barunga Festival is held every year.