Kalgoorlie Remote-Area Free Clinic
Bringing healthcare to remote communities
Kalgoorlie Remote-Area Free Clinic (GP, Physio, Dentistry)
The remote-area free clinic originated from the fact that residents of the Kalgoorlie region often face long travel distances, as well as time and financial costs, to receive medical care—especially given the more obvious shortage of dental resources. The Perth team proposed a remote-area clinic plan in 2023, designing collaboration among three disciplines: general practice, physiotherapy, and dentistry. In 2024, the clinic site inspection and first clinic were completed; in 2025, the mission set out again and served 71 patients over two days, with 170 consultations. This type of mission is not only about bringing healthcare to remote areas, but also about interstate coordination, equipment transport, local partnership, and follow-up care. The 2023 proposal laid the foundation for the clinic workflow; the renewed launch in 2025 proved both the feasibility of the model and the reality of the need.
At seven o’clock on a winter morning in Perth, when the sky was not yet fully bright, a 10-person advance volunteer team from Tzu Chi Perth set out from the liaison office in two cars to inspect the clinic site in Kalgoorlie.
Dr. Christine, a white Australian woman who grew up in Australia, has practised medicine in Kalgoorlie for 35 years and is highly respected locally. She also said that her husband Geoffrey might be able to help. It turned out that Geoffrey is an Aboriginal elder and also a pastor at a local church, which could even be lent as a venue for the free clinic.
To make sure the church could accommodate the various medical equipment, volunteers also measured the size of each space and sketched a floor plan on site.
Salvation Army leader Shirley (far left) generously lent all the space in the Salvation Army community centre to Tzu Chi for the dental free clinic.
Alice, head of Goldfields Family Dental Clinic, not only provided medical equipment and a mobile treatment van, but also sent the clinic’s dentists and dental assistants to support the effort.
Kirsten, a single mother, felt this was a very safe place where she could comfortably let her children interact with other children. She asked volunteers to give each of her children a bamboo bank as well, saying they also wanted to start saving money to help others.
Daniel Teng originally brought Starlink satellite internet only for entertainment, but after learning of the medical team’s needs, he offered support without hesitation.
As the cycle of love takes root and sprouts in people’s hearts, Tzu Chi’s spirit will also be passed down from generation to generation over time, never ceasing. The former Tzu Ching youth of those years have now established families and careers, yet their original aspiration remains unchanged as they continue moving in the direction of benefiting others.
From 26 to 29 September 2025, international, interstate, and local medical professionals and volunteers gathered once again to begin four days of great love in action.
Jayden, a resident from remote Laverton, can smile again, grateful for everything the free clinic team has done.
Young volunteers hand-drew thank-you cards, and patients happily wrote messages of gratitude after treatment.