Jonathon Clifton usually spends his days developing business strategies to drive the performance of major accountancy group PricewaterhouseCoopers.

But in the past year, those skills have also been put to use helping expand the work of a self-sufficient Aboriginal medical centre on the north coast of NSW.

“The thing I got out of it was it made me appreciate the skills and training I have in my corporate role can actually be applicable to helping others – and I never thought they could,’’ he said.

Jonathon, 33, who works with the leadership team at PricewaterhouseCoopers, became a goodcompany volunteer in 2004 after hearing about the organisation at the Australian Professional Services Marketing conference.

He then began receiving the Wish List emails, but for the first couple of months he could not find a wish that matched his skills.

“And then there was one in particular that struck a chord with me – it sounded interesting and something that I could get involved with,’’ he said.

The group seeking help was the Bawrunga Aboriginal Medical Service, which is a bulk-billing medical service based on the north coast of NSW.

Bawrunga is self-sufficient in its funding; its medical services are available to people of all races and one of its aims it to promote a spirit of reconciliation.

But for the first time Bawrunga was in search of some government funding to cover the start-up costs incurred as it began expanding its business model to nearby regions.

“Their initial request was for assistance in developing a business plan – which is where my expertise lies – but the scope of the Wish changed a lot as we went through it,’’ Jonathon said. He assisted in putting together a strategy document, and then the business plan that flowed from that.

Bawrunga’s ultimately hopes to co-brand with similar health centres in its region and put them on the path to self-sustainability.

Jonathon helped Bawrunga’s members pitch the concept to Federal Health Minister Tony Abbott, and has been involved with ongoing negotiations on the issue throughout 2005.

He has also hosted members of the Bawrunga team at PWC’s Sydney offices for strategic planning days. Now a social element has developed to their association.

“I was married in January in ByronBay so my fiancée and I popped in (to the centre) and had lunch with them!’’