The story of the regeneration of the land after the removal of feral buffalo from Western Arnhem Land was the inspiration behind the name of the Red Lily Health Board.
The story of this emerging community-controlled heath service draws a strong parallel with the re-emergence of the red lily, a native plant once common in Western Arnhem Land. Almost wiped out by the trampling hooves of buffalo—an animal introduced in the early 1800s by British settlers—the red lily began to regenerate in the 1980s (following a Northern Territory Government policy to remove the beasts from the region)
Like the blooming of its namesake, the Red Lily Health Board Aboriginal Corporation is also slowly but surely rejuvenating the region, by improving health and empowering its local people.
For many years it has been a dream of a dedicated group of people to set up a regional health service that was not only culturally sensitive to the needs of the community but also controlled by the community.
This means holding clinics and informal gatherings in communities, Red Lily is making it easy for people to participate and to feel confident about having their say.
The community has the power.