When ritual meets rescue

Proud Kokatha Yankunytjatjara man, Robert Crilly, is passionate about teaching his Aboriginal culture and heritage to younger generations through song, dance, art and storytelling.

He regularly commutes between Coober Pedy, the APY Lands and Port Augusta to carry out cultural commitments, and in March 2021, a ceremony in Far North SA took an unexpected turn, when Robert began experiencing extreme stabbing pains in his abdomen.

In a wave of concern, Robert’s family raced him to the nearest health clinic in Coober Pedy, still in traditional body paint and ceremonial attire.

“When I was out on Country, I was in the spaces of men’s business and I got really, really sick. It came down to the point where the elders, my family and brothers took me into the clinic to get some health checks,” he said.

With no time to spare, the unexpected nature of Robert’s appendicitis meant he required urgent medical attention in Port Augusta, more than 500 kilometres away.

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