COVID-19 updates for the AnglicareSA community | Read more

AnglicareSA’s Communities for Children (CfC) Playford, CfC Onkaparinga and Aboriginal Services, have partnered with The Malpa Project, to co-fund the Young Doctors project.

The 15-week Young Doctors project trains Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal school students, aged nine to 11, to be health ambassadors and positive role models within their communities.

When The Malpa Project is invited to a community, there is a gathering of Elders, respected community leaders, parents and educators to discuss ‘What do your kids need to know to lead strong, healthy and long lives?’

Selected school community leaders then develop the program to meet the needs of the local children, with Aboriginal traditional knowledge and ways of healing brought together with Western medicine.

Students from Blakeview and Munno Para primary schools engaging in first aid.

Training Young South Australian Doctors

Young Doctors projects began rolling out across South Australia in 2018.

To date, AnglicareSA has supported and celebrated the graduation of more than 250 students across primary schools in northern and southern Adelaide.

Schools involved in the Malpa Project since 2018

Blakeview Primary School
Munno Para Primary School
Salisbury Downs Primary School
Christies Beach Primary School
Aldinga Beach Primary School
Elizabeth Grove Primary School
Elizabeth Vale Primary School
Hackham West Primary School

*Another six new programs are set to commence during 2019/20.

Program activities are aligned with the Australian School Curriculum and equip children with knowledge in nutrition, hygiene, environmental health, wellbeing and identity, health literacy and leadership. 

The Young Doctors then spread their learnings to friends, family and the wider community.

The children are taught by respected members of their communities, including Elders, in a fun-packed but structured program.

Malpa is a Warlpiri word which means ‘friends on the journey’ and the idea of children being ‘doctors’ is deeply embedded in Aboriginal culture.

Hear from some of our Young Doctors

We asked recent graduates from Munno Para Primary School what they thought about their training. Here’s what they had to say…

The Malpa Project continues to grow in SA with more schools set to come on board within the next 12 months.

“I liked dressing up as a nurse because I’ve never been a nurse before. I know how to help someone when they don’t wake up.”

Jacob, 9

“I’ve like trying the different foods we’ve had for our healthy snack. My favourite has been flat bread and creamy garlic dip.”

Arron, 9

“I liked going to the hospital and learning about how to keep yourself safe.”

Harlequinn, 10

“On our hospital tour I was a patient with a broken arm. James the nurse bandaged my arm… I liked him!”

Tete, 10

“I liked everything! My favourite activity has been learning CPR.”

Jordan, 10


“I liked the first aid training we did because I liked practising CPR on the dummies.”

Stacey, 10

“I liked the CPR training we did for First Aid. The excursions to the supermarket and hospital were fun.”

Samual, 9

“I liked the hospital tour and pretending to be a nurse caring for the patients. I got to put the clip on their finger to check their heart rate.”

Shaylah, 10

“I liked the excursion to the hospital because we got a tour and I got treated like a person who was hurt. I’ve also liked the different food we’ve tried.”

Bailey, 9