Ana King
Anna King, the Health Programs Coordinator at Bega, provides insights into the impact of Orange Sky in Kalgoorlie and the broader Goldfields region.
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"They said that everyone, you could see the confidence in people walking around the streets. Whereas before, people didn't, who weren't able to have showers, who weren't able to have clean clothes, they would slump. They wouldn't look up, you know. Whereas now they're out and about in town. They look as happy as they can be, you know. It's almost like giving them a new sense of life."
"If you can make a connection with a person, you can make their day, you know. You don't know where they've come from or what sort of night they've had, whether they've even eaten. But to say hello to somebody, to actually ask about their day, to generally find out about them, it's not hard to do. And it doesn't cost much. But it can mean so much to that person."
"I can actually see that Orange Sky could start branching out within the Goldfields region. I definitely know Laverton, you know, is in need and would love some type of service up there."
"I think regardless of what they do, whether it's a truck, whether it's a building, I don't think things would change so much. I think the Orange Sky, however it is put into community, will flourish."
Bridging Health and Hope: Anna King's Perspective on Orange Sky's Impact in Kalgoorlie
In the heart of the Goldfields region, where the red earth meets the vast blue sky, Anna King of Bega Garnbirringu Health Service is witnessing a transformation. As the Health Programs Coordinator, Anna has a front-row seat to the impact that Orange Sky is making in Kalgoorlie and its surrounding communities.
Anna's journey with Bega spans 16 years, during which she's seen the organization evolve to meet the complex needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families in the Goldfields. "Bega is an Aboriginal health service that caters to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families throughout the Goldfields," Anna explains. "We not only do clinical services, but we also have a wide range of services that tap into social and emotional wellbeing, social support services for homeless, fringe dwellers."
It's within this holistic approach to health and wellbeing that Orange Sky found its place. When the mobile laundry service first rolled into town, there was a mix of excitement and uncertainty. "Community heard about Orange Sky coming, so it sort of had this trickle effect into community where they were excited about it coming," Anna recalls. "They weren't too sure how it was going to look, and then when they heard that Bega was taking that on, they got excited to see what it would happen and do for community."
The impact was almost immediate and profoundly touching. Anna shares a powerful observation: "They said that everyone, you could see the confidence in people walking around the streets. Whereas before, people didn't, who weren't able to have showers, who weren't able to have clean clothes, they would slump. They wouldn't look up, you know. Whereas now they're out and about in town. They look as happy as they can be, you know. It's almost like giving them a new sense of life."
This transformation goes beyond clean clothes. It's about dignity, self-respect, and the power of human connection. Anna emphasizes the importance of these connections: "If you can make a connection with a person, you can make their day, you know. You don't know where they've come from or what sort of night they've had, whether they've even eaten. But to say hello to somebody, to actually ask about their day, to generally find out about them, it's not hard to do. And it doesn't cost much. But it can mean so much to that person."
The success of Orange Sky in Kalgoorlie has been remarkable. What started as a service providing about 22 loads of laundry has now grown to an average of 50 loads. This growth is a testament to the need in the community and the trust that Orange Sky has built.
Looking to the future, Anna sees potential for expansion. "I can actually see that Orange Sky could start branching out within the Goldfields region," she says. "I definitely know Laverton, you know, is in need and would love some type of service up there."
What's particularly striking about Anna's perspective is her belief in the Orange Sky concept beyond just the mobile laundry service. "I think regardless of what they do, whether it's a truck, whether it's a building, I don't think things would change so much. I think the Orange Sky, however it is put into community, will flourish."
This adaptability and the organization's commitment to meeting community needs wherever they are is what makes Orange Sky so impactful. It's not just about laundry; it's about creating a space for connection, dignity, and hope.
As we reflect on Anna's insights, we're reminded of the profound impact that seemingly simple services can have on a community. Orange Sky, through its laundry services and the connections it fosters, is not just cleaning clothes – it's helping to rebuild lives, restore dignity, and strengthen communities.
In Kalgoorlie and beyond, Orange Sky continues to be a beacon of hope, a testament to the power of community, and a reminder that sometimes, the most transformative changes start with something as simple as clean laundry and a friendly conversation.
