In 2007, Salisbury Centacare, through their Wodlitinattoai project worked with HCCSA to address hepatitis C issues in the Aboriginal community. HCCSA educators worked with Aboriginal people living in the Gawler area to develop educational strategies for their peers.
Grants from the Commonwealth government and Community Benefit SA paid for a community artist to work with the group to produce an educational resource.
The result was an extremely well-received claymation which was turned into a DVD. The DVD – Don’t Be Buntha – Hep C don’t let it be – included interviews with community members who were involved in its development. The claymation may be viewed on YouTube.
This is a unique resource designed and executed by the Gawler Health Services lunch group with assistance from Kalteeya Aboriginal Health Team from SA and in conjunction with the Hepatitis C Council of SA. Don’t Be Buntha Hep C – Don’t Let It Be is a Claymation DVD that explores attitudes of the three characters Ernie, Shaun and Rose.
Ernie and Shaun are two using mates who meet at their local park and begin yarnin’ about what is an imperative reality for people who inject drugs. Armed with the results of his blood test, Shaun has just returned from the local Health Centre where he underwent his test as advised by his Uncle Jimmy “coz he knows we use.” Ernie has no previous knowledge of hepatitis C and is quickly enlightened by Shaun’s information about what it is and how it is transmitted. “Knowledge is power, keep it healthy cous”, exclaims Shaun.
Ernie’s pregnant girlfriend Rose emerges from the public toilet block and overhears them yarnin’ about hep C. Rose brings the issue of trust to the group having had a family member experience alienation and isolation whilst in prison when he disclosed that he was hepatitis C positive. The group of friends make a decision to keep their using equipment to themselves and share their knowledge of hep C.
Through the power of Ernie, Shaun and Rose we learn what hep C is, how it is and how it isn’t transmitted, what are the symptoms. As well, testing for the virus is explained and clearing the virus via natural clearance and treatment. The three friends create a confidential support for one another and for family who have been affected.
Don’t Be Buntha Hep C - Don’t Let It Be is an innovative and clever document that covers all of the essential aspects of understanding this virus and some of impacts upon a person’s health and social well being.
