The tyranny of distance 

“Small things can make a big difference” 

The tyranny of distance is a phrase that might have been invented for Alekarenge. 

TESS Director of Counselling Jess Staniland explained that the cognitive and mental health assessments she conducted at Murray Downs were a necessary part of the bureaucratic process that could help the schools receive their funding entitlements. 

They might also lead to the provision of an extra teaching assistant and access to NDIS funding. 

But even that might not give students access to services they need, such as those provided by occupational, speech, and psychological therapists. 

This is because they would need to travel regularly to Alice Springs, four hours away, and not all parents might be in a position to enable that. 

Poor internet connectivity meant “telehealth” services were unreliable at the schools, and “fly-in, fly-out” services were only available occasionally. 

“But anything is better than nothing, in my opinion,” she said. 

“In disadvantaged communities any small thing you do makes such a big difference.” 

She said her visit had given her a fresh perspective and a chance to reflect on “how we are in a very privileged environment at Trinity”. 

“Some of the things that we take for granted are things that these communities will never see.  

“The challenges are great but there is definitely room for optimism.” 

She advised Trinity teachers visiting the schools to remember they could make a big difference but could not solve all of the community’s problems. 

“We have to recognise we are only one piece of the puzzle; we cannot shift the whole community in the inter-generational trauma and background that they’ve had, but we can make a difference. 

“We have to hold in our minds what our role is and stick to that.”