Hailed as a “small part” in the effort to slow the spread of Covid-19 in Aboriginal communities, digital thermometers have been donated to four Lismore organisations.

The NSW Government has donated the thermometers to Jullums Aboriginal Medical Service Lismore, Ace Community Colleges, Rekindling the Spirit and Jarjum Centre Inc (Jarjum Preschool).

Nationals Member of the Legislative Council Ben Franklin said Transport for NSW donated the thermometers to support the work being carried out by a number of organisations who have a lead role in Aboriginal community health and other essential services.

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, different parts of the NSW Government have been working together to manage the risk of the virus and assist people in Aboriginal communities across the state,” Mr Franklin said.

“COVID-19 has been a challenging time for all communities across NSW, and Aboriginal people aged 50 and older with one or more chronic medical conditions are at higher risk, so it’s important we do everything possible to help slow the spread of the virus.

“Six organisations across Ballina and Lismore are among the more than 220 organisations across the state to receive the donated thermometers, which have made their way to areas as far north as Tweed Heads, as far south as Moama and all the way inland to Broken Hill.

“These thermometers may seem like a small part in the overall fight against COVID-19 but the additional support will allow these organisations to better protect staff, customers and their wider communities while they continue to deliver frontline services.

“We will continue to do everything we can to manage the risk of the virus and assist people in Aboriginal communities across NSW.”

The local donations are part of more than 700 thermometers given out across the State.