A chance meeting when he was flagged down by an Indigenous woman in Lightning Ridge asking for help has led to a vision come to life for Dr Steve Burroughs and the Lightning Ridge community. 

The woman, whose daughter was attempting to complete her university work from home, told Dr. Burroughs of the struggles without a computer or proper internet.  

“I was thinking, ‘A computer I can probably get, but the internet, I don’t know’.  

“That night, I had a dream … well, I call it a vision,” said Dr. Burroughs. 

Fast forward to today, and from this vision an amazing outcome in the form of a truck trailer that has been converted into a shared workspace called the PACE ‘Portable Aboriginal Communication Environment’ and built by companies in Canberra. 

With the help of many donations and volunteers the PACE truck is now a reality and inside the truck is a long desk, divided by partitions, each equipped with a computer and monitor line the wall and a smart tv is mounted to another. 

Not only will this assist students with their studies but will act as a telehealth centre whereby locals can conduct online consultations face to face without having to leave Lightning Ridge.  

The Unit will provide reliable regional and remote IT services, provide portable local IT infrastructure for Aboriginal communities and expand the wi-fi network allowing more access to the surrounding community, not to mention internet connections at speed similar to those in urban environments, while allowing aboriginal communities to keep up with the latest technology.  

Dr Steve Burroughs has spent a lifetime promoting the advancement of Australia’s First people living in remote communities.  

The 78-year-old heads the not-for-profit organisation, the Dr. Steve Burroughs Foundation, and has a long history of partnering with indigenous communities with the goal of providing and improving equity housing and health, becoming involved. In many projects across Australia, assisting communities in need.  

With a mission of providing support to improve social, economic, and well-being of Indigenous Australians, the organisation depends wholly on volunteers, directors, partners and donations to keep the dream alive.  

“I have spent most of my working life and now at 78 years of age that has been decades supporting Aboriginal people and communities in regional and remote Australia,” said Dr. Burroughs. 

“Part of my success in my projects has been communication and over the last two years I have met with Petrina Brown CEO of Lightning Ridge Local Aboriginal Land Council, Allan Cobb, the board chair and the board itself explaining where I was with the PACE unit.”  

 “I kept them informed and after two years it has come to life. Petrina and Allan came to Canberra for our small launch here with our donors and sponsors, but the big celebration will be in Lightning Ridge,” said Dr. Burroughs.  

 “We are hoping that the Premier and Minister for Aboriginal Affairs will attend the official opening at Lightning Ridge.” 

 “My hope is that someday someone in government recognises our foundation and offers to give us a helping hand,” Dr. Burroughs said. “But no matter what we carry on and now after we settle Lightning Ridge into the PACE unit, we start the fundraising all over again for PACE ll, the revised updated model.” 

The unit, which is completely solar powered can be plugged into a standard EV charger, and will spend its first year parked in front of the NSW Aboriginal Land Council office in Lightning Ridge. 

During this time the foundation members, headed by Dr. Burroughs will monitor the unit and its use in the town, to gain insight to what can be changed or improved moving forward.  

A free starter program will be provided for those in the community wishing to learn more about IT. 

In her speech at the opening of the PACE Unit in Canberra in early February, Petrina Brown Aboriginal Land Council CEO said the unit will help young people at school and telehealth in Lightning Ridge.  

Ms. Brown thanked all the sponsors and particularly Dr. Burroughs calling him a ‘god send to our community’. 

Dr. Burroughs continues to work on the many projects he has earmarked for aboriginal communities in 2024 while continuing his remarkable work on the PACE project.