GSK’s partnership with Save the Children builds and strengthens relationships between health services and the community of Doomadgee. Importantly, and thanks to GSK’s investment in the community, this partnership will lead to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families accessing health and early intervention in illness.
Save The Children
GSK Australia and 54 Reasons, part of the Save the Children group, have worked together to improve children's health across regions of Australia since 2007.
Through our partnership we are committed to sharing our expertise and resources to make a lasting change for the world’s most vulnerable children.
Timeline
Through the years
Partnership begins
An early focus on education and child wellbeing – programs designed to reach children and young people.
Early Intervention
GSK Australia contribute more than $1.9 million to Save the Children Australia’s work supporting mobile youth services in New South Wales, early childhood education programs in Victoria.
Global Commitment
GSK and Save the Children form a global partnership.
Centre for Humanitarian Leadership
Established in collaboration with Deakin University.
Doomadgee
Improving child and family health in a remote Aboriginal community in north-west Queensland.
Journey of Hope
GSK supports a bushfire recovery program and fundraises Hygiene Packs during COVID-19.
GSK Visit
David Pullar, Director of Corporate & Government Affairs and Market Access visits Doomadgee with Save The Children CEO, Mat Tinkler.
Larapinta Challenge
GSK staff participates in the 2022 Larapinta Challenge - trekking 223 kilometres in support of Save The Children.
Mornington Island
The program expands to Mornington Island - Aboriginal community in the Gulf of Carpentaria in North Queensland, on the traditional homelands of the Lardil people.
GSK Visit
General Manager Andrew Thomas and Head of Communications Angela Hill visit Doomadgee and Mornington Island.
Global Partnership
In 2013, this partnership grew when GSK announced an ambitious global partnership with Save the Children. Through our partnership we are committed to sharing our expertise and resources to make a lasting change for the world’s most vulnerable children.
In 2020, our partnership in Australia was reshaped to support the families, children and young people in Doomadgee, Queensland.
The Doomadgee program has been developed with the community, for the community and by the community. Through this partnership, we are taking steps to learn more about Australia’s Indigenous culture and support Indigenous health.
Doomadgee is a remote, Aboriginal community in the Gulf of Carpentaria in North Queensland, located on the Nicholson River on the traditional homelands of The Gangalidda, Waanyi, Garrawa and Yunjulla people. In 2016, the estimated population was 1,405 people with 93.7% Aboriginal and 38.5% aged between 0-14 years of age. The community experiences intergenerational vulnerability, increasing the risk factors for children and families who face social and economic conditions of systemic disadvantage.
The focus of the partnership is on delivering community-developed programs to
- Build and strengthen relationships between health services and community.
- Increase the number of children who have health checks.
- Give adult community members the opportunity to access literacy programs and build on their own skills to assist children.
- Build the confidence of young people who are leaving community to attend boarding schools or school-related activities
Grannies Group
In the remote Indigenous community of Doomadgee, not much gets past the “Grannies Group” - the community’s elder women who ensure their culture is protected and shared to new generations. GSK Australia relies on the Grannies’ insights to inform all partnership projects with Save The Children Australia and 54 Reasons that may truly benefit the people who call these far-flung lands home.
Men's Camps
A cornerstone of the work 54 Reasons enables in Doomadgee are the Men's Back to Country Camps. These camps help young men reconnect to culture and create vital support systems.
