Aunty Elma Lingard is an Elder of the Ewamian People from country around Mt Surprise, Georgetown, Forsayth, and Einasleigh in the savannah land southwest of Cairns. She has lived in Mareeba for 45 years. 

After years as a nurse, Aunty Elma found her calling helping Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students navigate their high school years. For 26 years she helped the Indigenous students of Mareeba State High School as a Community Education Counsellor.  

It’s this dedication to the next generation and her community that saw her step up and get the COVID-19 jab. 

“I decided to get vaccinated against COVID to protect my grandkids, and all the Indigenous kids in Mareeba. Cause I spent years working at the local high school,” Aunty Elma said. 

“And not only that; I did it for the ones we love, our mob, and the community.” 

Aunty Elma got her jabs at Mulungu Aboriginal Corporation Primary Health Care Service in Mareeba and she had nothing but praise for the team there.  

“I was one of the first guys to get done,” she said.  

“Put me hand up because I was waiting for it to be available. 

“They were very professional; they were really great.  

“If you had any questions, they answered the questions.” 

In the end, she said that even with some possible side-effects, the reward was far greater than the risk. 

“I’m all for being vaccinated because it’s all for our good,” she said.  

“It doesn’t matter if you get side effects.  

“I’d prefer to suffer with the side effects rather than suffer with COVID.” 

Aunty Elma has some tough-love words for those who might be reluctant to get the COVID-19 vaccination sooner rather than later. 

“Come on you mob, let’s protect our people,” she said. 

“Especially our kids. They’re our future generation.  

“Who’s gonna carry on talking about and educating about our culture if we’re not around?” 

If you would like more information, or to book an appointment, contact Mulungu Aboriginal Corporation Primary Health Care Service.