The NCCTRC Trauma Team recently took the Prevent Alcohol and Risk-related Trauma in Youth (P.A.R.T.Y) Program to Northeast Arnhem Land for the first time.
Targeted at school leavers, the national program allows young Territorians to follow the journey of a trauma patient, experiencing what can happen when young people make a decision that could change their lives forever.
Alongside St John Ambulance Service and Donate Life, the NCCTRC team created an immersive experience for the students.
P.A.R.T.Y Program Co-ordinator and Trauma Program Manager, Belinda Nolan, led the NCCTRC team alongside St John Ambulance Service and DonateLife to deliver an immersive experience for the students.
“It’s been great to get out remote areas across the Northern Territory, like Katherine and Alice Springs, and now we have had the opportunity to work with students in Nhulunbuy,” Ms Nolan said.
“We had students express to us that they don’t often have the opportunity to engage with these kinds of programs because they live in a remote area, so we hope this first session in Nhulunbuy will make other schools in the area aware of the program.”


Nationally, the highest rate of trauma related injuries that present at Australian hospitals are from patients within the 15-24 year age group.
According to findings from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, between 2017–2019 unintentional injuries among 15–24 year olds contributed to almost 1 in 3 deaths and more than 2 in 5 injury deaths.
Ms Nolan says this data highlights why the P.A.R.T.Y Program is relevant for Northern Territory high school students, and particularly those in remote settings where further risk and healthcare delays are present.
“Trauma related injuries are not a rare occurrence, this age group think they are invincible but our team of highly experienced nurses, doctors and allied health workers are passionate about running this program because we treat and respond to such a large number of patients in their age group,” she said.
“P.A.R.T.Y is a really great injury awareness program, even if it's one kid we influence and impact and they carry this knowledge the next time they attend a party, we are making a difference.”
After a successful program in Nhulunbuy, the P.A.R.T.Y team hope it’s the first of many to be hosted for regional and remote students across the Territory.
“We want to see this program run across as much of the Territory as possible, of course there are some logistical considerations, but hopefully this opens the door for more schools and students to get involved.”

Gabrielle Lyons
Communications and Digital Engagement Officer