Erika Nichols, an Aboriginal health worker at Bathurst Health Service, said Aboriginal people are seven times more likely to suffer from diabetes because they have a genetic predisposition. 

There are also lifestyle factors, and a reluctance to access medical care.

Jacqueline Gibbs of Western Medicare Local’s Indigenous Chronic Disease Clinic was also on hand to talk to people about diabetes.

She said one of the problems is that it often goes undiagnosed, yet it can affect every organ in the body.

“A lot of us tend not to want to go to the doctor,” she said.

“However, there is great access to medical care in Bathurst and we encourage people to come in and take the opportunity to get it checked out.”

The self-reported rate of diabetes has more than doubled since 1990, from 1.5pc to 4.2pc of Australians.

More than 1 million people are now diagnosed with the illness – but this may just be the tip of the iceberg.

The death rate for diabetes has also risen in Australia, from 19 to 21 deaths per 100,000 between 1990 and 2009, due to a combination of the disease being more prevalent and diagnosis remaining low.

Medibank data reveals more men were identified with diabetes than women, particularly the age group 65 to 69. 

Medibank chief medical officer Dr Ian Boyd said diabetes often goes undetected because people can ignore the symptoms.

“The symptoms of diabetes are quite generic and can often be attributed to other health or environmental factors. They include excessive thirst, tiredness, weight change and headaches,” he said.

“As a result, diabetes can go undetected for quite a long time, which can lead to fatal consequences. Although there is no known cure for diabetes, it can be managed through diet, exercise and possibly medication.”