Sam: working to wash away disease with every spin

A job that changed everything

For Sam, a Noongar man who moved to Darwin in 1988, the opportunity to work at the Remote Laundry was life-changing. Once a childcare worker, living with a neurological disorder made it difficult to continue in that role. After six years of unemployment, everything shifted when he was offered a position at the community laundry.

More than employment, the job has given Sam a mission.

“I felt strongly about the job as soon as the description was given to me. It gave me purpose again.”

Why Remote Laundries matter

Remote Laundries provide a simple solution to health issues linked to overcrowded housing and the lack of reliable power, hot water, and washing facilities in many remote communities. Without these, it’s difficult to control parasites and bacteria, leading to skin sores that too often progress to serious illness like rheumatic heart disease (RHD).

For Sam, this makes the work personal. “I lost a nephew to RHD. It was a shock to everyone. He was a fine young man in his 20s – very fit, clean-living, and healthy. Out of the blue, his heart gave way.”

Beyond health, Sam says the laundry strengthens community. “The housing crisis isn’t getting any better, and this is where a lot of the problem comes from. But projects like this show we can find solutions. In some communities, three or four households share one family member’s washing machine. It’s not built for that load and breaks down quickly. Then everyone’s back to square one.”

At the Remote Laundry, machines are free, heavy-duty, and professionally serviced – making a sustained difference.

A catalyst for change

More than washing, the laundry reduces infection risks, creates local jobs, and improves wellbeing.

Sam sees the benefits daily: “You can feel the impact in the community. For me personally, I’ve felt the improvement – getting out, doing something every day, interacting with other people.”

Liz, CEO of the Aboriginal Investment Group, has seen the difference first-hand: “In communities with a Remote Laundry, there’s a real sense of pride and dignity. People go to work more, kids go to school more, they have clean clothes to wear, and they sleep in a clean bed at night – and you just can’t top that!”

Sam’s journey from isolation to empowerment reflects the deeper purpose of Remote Laundries: restoring health, self-determination, and hope in the heart of community.

Support Remote Laundries. Be part of the solution for healthier futures in remote communities. Learn more about our Catalyst Partner.