Nhulunbuy man Gerald Buckle has been awarded a Kellion Victory Medal, marking 50 years of dwelling with diabetes, at a ceremony alongside household and supporters in Darwin.
Identified at Gove District Hospital aged 14 in 1976 throughout a case of rheumatic fever, Mr Buckle turns into simply the third particular person from the Northern Territory (NT) to obtain a Kellion Victory Medal, and the primary Territorian to obtain a Kellion dwelling with sort 2 diabetes.
Mr Buckle was offered his award by Diabetes Australia’s Chief Well being Officer Brett Fenton at Menzies Faculty of Well being Analysis in Darwin on Friday (9 October, 2026).
With household ties throughout Arnhem Land within the NT, Mr Buckle stated his award was for all mob dwelling with diabetes, calling for a stronger method to handle diabetes.
“I’m strolling round seeing all my nation males, who was once match, robust Aboriginal individuals, now they’re strolling round with one leg, walkers. That’s what it [diabetes] has carried out to my individuals,” stated Mr Buckle.
“I need to see the struggle get stronger – I’m speaking about you guys right here – the medical doctors, and people looking for higher remedies for our mob.”
Diabetes Australia Group CEO Justine Cain congratulated Mr Buckle, echoing his requires larger help for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals dwelling with diabetes.
“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities proceed to indicate outstanding resilience in responding to diabetes, regardless of experiencing considerably larger charges of diabetes and pre-diabetes than different Australians,” Ms Cain stated.
“Diabetes Australia is dedicated to supporting regionally led options and more healthy futures. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities have lengthy demonstrated energy, management and resilience in driving constructive well being outcomes, and our position is to help and amplify these efforts.
“Mr Buckle’s outstanding achievement is a strong reminder of what’s potential via perseverance and neighborhood management. It’s now on all of us to hear, act, and work alongside communities to enhance help, cut back limitations, and create extra equitable entry to look after Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.”
Senior Analysis Fellow and Endocrinologist at Menzies Faculty of Well being Analysis Dr Matthew Hare stated Mr Buckle had overcome vital difficulties in managing his diabetes whereas dwelling in distant NT.
“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals in distant Australia face vital challenges in managing diabetes attributable to persistent social, financial and well being system inequities,” he stated.
“Youth-onset sort 2 diabetes is thought to be a quickly progressive situation with excessive threat of issues, making Mr Buckle’s achievement very vital.
“Mr Buckle has proven that – with the proper help and private dedication – it’s potential to dwell a satisfying and lengthy life with youth-onset sort 2 diabetes.
“It’s as much as us now to hearken to his name for extra help and work with distant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to enhance care supply, deal with social inequities and obtain higher well being outcomes.”
Kellion Victory Medals recognise on a regular basis Australians who’ve lived lengthy lives with sort 1 or 2 diabetes for a minimum of 50 years, and are offered yearly throughout Australia.
Hobart and Sydney have already hosted Kellion Victory Medal ceremonies, with Brisbane, Adelaide, and Melbourne to host ceremonies over the approaching month.
About Kellion Victory Medals
In 1984, Diabetes Australia responded to a proposal by Dr Alan Shares to recognise and commemorate Australians for having survived with diabetes for 50, 60 and 70 years or extra. In view of his excellent contribution in direction of diabetes in Australia, the late Mr Claude Kellion AM was invited to have his identify related to the scheme, to which he graciously consented.
The Kellion Victory Medal honours each father Claude and son John, and is an enduring tribute to their identify. Earlier than his dying, Claude Kellion additionally established a Chair in Diabetes on the College of Sydney which was stuffed by Professor John Turtle (it’s now occupied by Dennis Yue).
Mr Kellion made an impressive contribution in direction of diabetes in Australia following the premature dying of his son, John in September 1972. At simply 38 years of age, John died because of issues of diabetes. Dismayed by the shortage of analysis into diabetes and its issues, Claude Kellion determined to arrange the Kellion Diabetes Basis with the purpose of funding analysis and training into diabetes.
