Roebourne is a small inland town in the Pilbara region of Western Australia with a predominantly Aboriginal population. The rapid development of the nearby mining towns of Wickham, Karratha and Dampier over the past 25 to 30 years has had yet another negative impact on the lives of the Aboriginal people.

The Daughters of Charity, a small community of 2 Sisters, came to live, work and pray amongst the people in 1989. They have formed close relationships, particularly with the women, and they rejoice with them and continue to affirm them in their emerging leadership roles. The aim is to empower the Aboriginal people to raise their own Issues and make their own decisions.

The Sisters liaise with Aboriginal groups in working with the youth and the elderly, in organising recreational activities and a variety of educational projects, to help counteract problems resulting from isolation, alcohol, drugs, truancy, domestic violence and others.

Twenty four hours a day the Sisters are available to respond to emergencies, to provide transport to the Hospital or to help in domestic disputes, by giving refuge to the women and children and linking them with the Safe House.

Roebourne Regional Prison is in close proximity, so the Sisters are involved in many ways:

• Sewing classes as a way of being friends, of building up the self-esteem of the women and giving them a touch of femininity within the harsh prison environment
• transporting the families for visits, as a means of preventing isolation from eating more deeply into fragile family bonds
• participating in the Prayer Services with the prisoners

Close to the School and the Village, there are many visitors, from toddlers to the elderly, dropping in for a yarn and a drink of icy cold water - much appreciated in temperatures soaring to mid 40's in Summer.

The Sisters themselves are familiar figures in the town. When the Daughters of Charity first arrived in Roebourne they were welcomed by Woodley King, a highly respected Injibarndi elder and leader of his people.

In those days Woodley was strong and healthy, managing Ngurra Waana, a settlement for recovering alcoholics. Today as his health fails, we visit Woodley in friendship and to give practical help.

Daughters of Charity - Roebourne
PO Box 40 (419 Sherlock Street, Roebourne WA 6718
Phone/Fax (08) 9182 1058