Cundeelee, Western Australia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids CundeeleeWestern Australia |
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 Cundeelee
Location in Western Australia
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| Postcode(s) | 6434 |
| Elevation | 573 m (1,880 ft) |
| Area | [convert: needs a number] |
| Location | |
| LGA(s) | City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder |
| State electorate(s) | Kalgoorlie |
| Federal Division(s) | O'Connor |
Cundeelee is a small Aboriginal community located in Western Australia. It's about 785 kilometers (488 miles) east of Perth and 160 kilometers (99 miles) east of Kalgoorlie. This community is part of the Goldfields-Esperance region. In 2006, about 102 people lived in Cundeelee.
Contents
Exploring Cundeelee's Past
Early Days and the Mission
The history of Cundeelee began with a special supply point, called a ration depot, set up in 1939. This depot helped provide food and supplies to people in the area. Later, in 1950, a Christian mission was established. This mission was created by an Australian Aboriginal Evangelical group.
By 1952, the mission had become a gathering place. About 130 people from the surrounding desert areas came to live there. It offered a central location for many Aboriginal families.
Growing as a Community
In 1971, a survey showed that 47 children were attending the mission school. This shows the importance of education in the community. From 1973 to 1975, the mission received special funding. These grants helped build important facilities. They constructed toilets, washing areas (ablution blocks), and a dam for water. These improvements made daily life much better for the residents.
Taking Charge and Changes
The Cundeelee community officially became an incorporated body in 1976. This meant they could manage their own affairs. By 1978, the community took over running the town. At this time, about 50 people of European background lived there, along with 250 Indigenous Australians.
In the 1980s, Cundeelee was closed for a period. Most of the people living there moved to a place called Coonana. However, some Aboriginal people felt a strong connection to their traditional lands. In 1984, some of them bravely moved back to Cundeelee. They returned to their ancestral home.
