Period poverty remains a pressing issue in rural and remote areas, exacerbated by inflation and rising living costs. A recent study conducted by Plan International Australia in April this year revealed that nearly two-thirds of young women in Australia are struggling to afford essential period products. In response to the growing concern, Mel Press, a Nurse Practitioner at Collarenebri Medical Centre and Community Hub, shared the challenges faced by the centre in sourcing period products for those in need with her mother, Ros Leslie.
Determined to make a change, Ros approached the local Armidale pharmacy for support. After hearing Ros and Mel’s plight, the team at Good Price Pharmacy Warehouse Armidale, led by Tina, stepped up in an extraordinary display of generosity. Each member of the pharmacy team personally purchased a box of sanitary items to donate to Colly Medical Centre and Health Hub. During the holiday period, many in rural and remote communities rely on local charitable services for support. The Collarenebri Medical Centre and Community Hub is run by the charity, The Healthy Communities Foundation Australia. "Certainly, with school holidays coming up it is incredibly timely, as many of the social supports in Collarenebri such as schools will be closed, further restricting access.” expressed Mel, acknowledging the significance of the support.
“What a wonderfully generous donation! Heartfelt thanks from us to Good Price Pharmacy!”
Thanks to these two communities coming together, the boxes were delivered to the Foundation's health care centre in Armidale, West Armidale Medical Centre, for delivery north to the community of Collatenebri. “The power of rural communities helping rural communities never ceases to amaze me!” said Mel. For media inquiries, please contact: Catherine Coomans ccoomans@thcfa.org.au About us: The Healthy Communities Foundation Australia (THCFA) is a community-based charity established in 2001 to help rural and remote communities to keep their local primary health care services going. Over 20 years THCFA has raised and invested more than $132 million in sustaining health care in rural and remote towns.