Orange Sky, a not-for-profit organisation supporting people in need with free mobile laundry facilities, has launched a service in Wurrumiyanga - which will be the organisation's eighth service in the Northern Territory.
In partnership with Murrup, Orange Sky is bringing one of their bright orange solar-powered remote laundry vehicles, fitted with three washing machines and three dryers, to the Wurrumiyanga community.
Murrup is an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation that partners with remote communities to design and deliver programs that support children and young people, and their families, through their early years, school and beyond.
The Orange Sky service officially launched in the remote First Nations community on Bathurst Island on Wednesday with a celebratory event, with the service available to the community Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.
The laundry truck offer locals a safe space to do their washing for free and the partnership with Murrup will also provide employment opportunities for local community members to operate the laundry service.
It mobile laundry will also serve as a point of community connection and facilitate referral pathways to health and other service agencies.
Orange Sky's Wurrumiyanga service will join the organisation's remote community services in the Northern Territory, alongside Alice Springs, Darwin, Gapuwiyak, Maningrida, Nganmarriyanga, Wadeye and Yuendemu.
Skin health concerns affect many remote communities, with a lack of access to laundry facilities contributing to skin health concerns and diseases. NT Health estimates that scabies affects up to 25 per cent of community members in remote communities, and as many as 35 per cent of young children.
Murrup chief executive Shellee Strickland said Murrup was proud to partner with Orange Sky to bring this community service to Wurrumiyanga.
"We know that chronic health issues, such as scabies, crusted scabies and impetigo causes distress in many remote First Nations communities and can lead to more serious health conditions, especially for people who have comorbidity and compromised immune systems," she said.
"This impacts the whole community, but, in particular, can create additional barriers for children and young people to thrive at school and beyond.
"Being able to wash clothes and bedding in hot water, using the free laundry facilities, will provide a solutions-based approach to these issues."
Orange Sky Senior Impact Manager, Judith Meiklejohn, said Orange Sky and the Murrup teams worked together to identify the need and purpose for the service in the region and are "thrilled" to now be in a position to bring the service to the community.
"Many people and families in remote communities don't have access to basic facilities like washing machines and if they do, the machines often struggle to meet the needs of families living in overcrowded conditions or washing of blankets to support skin health," she said.
"From our research and through many conversations we have had with local groups, we have learnt there is a strain on the available support resources within the community, specifically, a lack of access to transport and the demand for washing facilities is significant."
In addition to supporting people experiencing homelessness and hardship, the increase in cost of living has resulted in Orange Sky being busier than ever across its metropolitan and regional fleet, now supporting a higher number of individuals and families who are struggling to make ends meet.
Community members in Wurrumiyanga can access the free Orange Sky laundry service Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm. Locations to access the service are available on Orange Sky's website.
