The event catered to children aged between 5 and 17 years, and offered a free health check for each child.

As an incentive, the children and youth who completed a health check received a Deadly Choices back to school back pack.

Gidgee Healing Communications and Marketing Manager Trish Macnamara said there were still many back packs available after the event.

“Each child that completes a health check from now on will receive a Back-to-School back pack until we run out of them,” Ms Macnamara said.

Health Checks are available through out the year at the Burke Street clinic and at the Pioneer Clinic which is situated next to Harvey Norman.

“It’s just a matter of calling one of the clinics and talking to one of our receptionists.” 

“Our team can check and let you know if your child is due for their health check,” she said.

Ms Macnamara said the Back-2-School event was well-received by community and by stakeholders as well.

“All Gidgee Healing departments were represented, we also had the team from Ngukuthati Children and Family Centre, Headspace, the Allied Health team and the social and emotional health team.”

“Free haircuts were offered to all who attended the Back-to-School day inside the Burke Street clinic.

“Latoya Page was our hairdresser,” Ms Macnamara said.

Many service providers attended the event including Centrelink, Medicare, the Mount Isa Police, who donated their interactive trailer for the day, Ngukuthati Men’s Shed and Playgroup Australia.

Ms Macnamara said Gidgee Healing provides a range of services which will support the health and wellbeing of our clients and their families.

“Comprehensive care from our allied health team is offered free of charge once a referral is made via our general practitioners,” she said.