Frontier Services Troopy Program

The Troopy Program is run through Frontier Services Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre. The program provides a respite break for remote area Carers.

The service provides a vehicle (Troopy) and a trailer full of equipment for eight people if required. The trailer consists of swags, BBQ grill, cooking utensils, eskies, crow bars, shovels for bush tucker and more.

Originally with one Troopy, seven Communities were identified to access the program. In 2009, a second Troopy was added to the fleet and a further 5 Communities in the Barkly region were identified and now receive the service.

Originally Carers are identified in the community and an assessment is completed identifying respite and support needs. Respite is provided in many ways. The most requested is the Troopy Program.

This Program provides a respite break without the Carer or Care recipient having to leave their country. The Troopy Program Coordinator works with other services within the Community to develop the program to suit the needs of each Community. The Coordinator and Community representative will identify responsible drivers, safe place for lock up at night and someone to ensure the paperwork involved is completed and faxed to the office, which is usually the Aged Care Coordinator.

With Troopy 1 most of the Communities are using the program by a phone call to the Respite and Carelink Centre and booking the troopy about three times per year for 2 weeks which for some is working well. Others through the turnover of staff in the Aged Care and the introduction of the Shires are a work in progress.

Evaluation of the program has resulted in troopy 2 running a little differently. Troopy 2 will be utilised in the Barkly going from one Community to another without always coming into Alice Springs, saving on diesel costs and wear and tear on the vehicle. This program has empowered carers to own their own respite time.

The coordinator has held workshops with all the Aged Care coordinators in the Barkly (all positions have been filled with local Community members) and together the logistics are worked out.

The community members have identified responsible drivers and how they can see the time with the vehicle being utilised for Carers in their Community. The reporting paperwork is overseen by the Shire managers where necessary and coordinators will fax in paperwork as the vehicle is dropped off and received by each Community.

The coordinator will be looking at Troopy 1 working in a similar way next year. Another vehicle is needed to cover the McDonnell and Central Desert Shires. Presently only one vehicle can cover a few Communities in each Shire.

Due to the flexibility of the program, service providers such as Art Centre's, Health promoters and Women Centre's may be able to use the Program in conjunction with the Carers and their respite time.

An Australian Government Intiative.

April 2011 Troopy 1 currently in Papunya

Troopy 2 currently in Alice Springs due to go to Titjikala

For any further information:

Free: 1800 200 422

(calls from mobile phones are charged at applicable rates)

Troopy Program Coordinator

Fax: 08 89532911

Email: troopy.crc8@bigpond.com