The Ceduna Koonibba Aboriginal Health Service uses the following strategies to improve the lifespan and quality of life of its clients: being a part of the community; using traditional health care; yarnin (stroytelling or narrative therapy); cooperative work with other organisations; and thinking laterally when it comes to allied health service shortage. The paper describes how the service was restructured to focus on primary health care. It outlines the service's Health Improvement Team, which is involved in health promotion and prevention, early detection, early intervention and management.