The Malpa Project

Malpa Young Doctors is an Aboriginal-led health, education and cultural program empowering primary school children to become health ambassadors within their families, schools and communities.

For more than 15 years, Malpa has addressed preventable health inequality, school disengagement and limited exposure to health career pathways experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. Approximately 75% of participants are Indigenous, but Malpa does not separate children by culture. Indigenous and non-Indigenous children learn together, building respect, understanding and stronger relationships—the true meaning of reconciliation.

Through a culturally grounded 15-week program, students learn about hygiene, nutrition, bush medicine, disease prevention, mental health and social and emotional wellbeing, first aid, leadership and healthy decision-making. “Seeing is Believing” excursions introduce children to hospitals, universities and Aboriginal health professionals, helping them believe careers in health and medicine are possible.

More than 5,500 Young Doctors have completed the program nationally. Independent evaluation has shown increased confidence, health knowledge and school engagement, with participant attendance ranging from 87% to 98%.

For several years, Woolworths supported Malpa by providing gift cards for healthy snacks, nutrition activities and graduation celebrations. With this valued partnership now concluding, Malpa urgently needs to replace this support.

Their priority is to raise $50,000 to provide healthy snacks, nutrition activities and graduation resources across Malpa projects, while supporting program delivery, local facilitators, educational materials and excursions. This funding will ensure children can continue learning together, celebrating their achievements and sharing healthier choices with their families and communities.

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