Jigalong Community, Western Australia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids JigalongWestern Australia |
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 Jigalong
Location in Western Australia
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| Established | 1907 |
| Elevation | 524 m (1,719 ft) |
| Area | [convert: needs a number] |
| Location | 1,070 km (665 mi) NNE of Perth |
| LGA(s) | Shire of East Pilbara |
| State electorate(s) | Pilbara |
| Federal Division(s) | Durack |
Jigalong is a small, faraway community in Western Australia. About 333 people live there. It is home to the Martu people, who are the traditional owners of this land. Jigalong is known as a remote Aboriginal community.
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Where is Jigalong?
Jigalong is found in the Pilbara area of Western Australia. It's about 165 kilometers (102 miles) east of a town called Newman. The community sits on the edge of the Little Sandy Desert. This land is a special reserve managed by the Aboriginal Lands Trust. The Martu people are the traditional owners of this land. They are represented by the Western Desert Lands Aboriginal Corporation.
People and Services
Who Lives in Jigalong?
In 2016, a count of the population showed that 333 people lived in Jigalong. About 87% of these people were Aboriginal.
Learning and Schools
The Jigalong Remote Community School helps kids learn from kindergarten all the way to Year 12. There are six teachers for about 120 students.
Health Care
The community has a medical center. It is run by the Puntukurnu Aboriginal Medical Services. If someone is very sick or hurt, they are usually flown to Port Hedland. This town is about 400 kilometers (249 miles) north-west of Jigalong. The Royal Flying Doctor Service helps with these flights.
Community Projects
In 2019, a new youth center was built for the community. This was a joint project. It involved the Australian Army and the National Indigenous Australians Agency. They also helped build an outdoor barbecue area, a creek crossing, and public bathrooms.
Other groups also have facilities in Jigalong. The mining company BHP has a construction shed there. The Ashburton Aboriginal Corporation runs a women's center.
A Look at Jigalong's History
How Jigalong Started
Jigalong was first set up in 1907. It was a place to store supplies for workers. These workers were building the rabbit-proof fence. This fence was made to stop rabbits from spreading across the land.
From Camels to Cars
In the 1930s, Jigalong was used to breed camels. Camels were important for transport back then. But soon, cars became more common. So, people stopped using camels for travel in the area.
Changes in Ownership
In 1947, the land was given to the Apostolic Church. They used it as a Christian mission. They helped develop the Aboriginal community there.
Later, in 1969, the land was given back to the Australian government. It became an Aboriginal reserve. Finally, in 1974, the land was given to the Martu people.
Land Rights
The land where Jigalong is located is part of a special land claim. This claim is called the Nyiyaparli Title claim (WC05/6). This means the Martu people have traditional rights to this land.
Community Planning
Jigalong has a special plan for its future. It's called Jigalong Layout Plan No.2. This plan helps guide how the community will grow. The community agreed to this plan in 2005. The Western Australian Planning Commission also approved it in 2006.
