Kaltjiti facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kaltjiti (Fregon)South Australia |
|||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Kaltjiti (Fregon)
Location in South Australia
|
|||||||||
| Population | 220 (2016 census) | ||||||||
| Established | c. 1934 | ||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 0872 | ||||||||
| Elevation | 524 m (1,719 ft) | ||||||||
| LGA(s) | Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara | ||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Giles | ||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Grey | ||||||||
|
|||||||||
Kaltjiti, once called Fregon, is an Aboriginal community. It is located in the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands in South Australia. Kaltjiti is one of the six main communities on these lands. The other communities are Amata, Pukatja, Pipalyatjara, Indulkana, and Mimili.
Contents
Time in Kaltjiti
The APY Lands do not use daylight saving time. This is because they are close to the Northern Territory border. The time zone is Australian Central Standard Time (UTC+9:30). This is the same time as Darwin, not Adelaide.
Where is Kaltjiti?
Kaltjiti (26°45′54″S 132°02′00″E / 26.765°S 132.0333°E) is about 45 kilometres (28 miles) south of the Musgrave Ranges. It is also west of the Everard Ranges. The community is about 137 kilometres (85 miles) from the Stuart Highway. Kaltjiti is south of Umuwa and Pukatja. The community is built along the Officer Creek. This creek flows from South Australia's highest mountain, Ngarutjaranya. The creek is usually dry and sandy. It only flows when there is a lot of rain.
Kaltjiti's Climate
Kaltjiti has hot summers and mild winters. In January, the average high temperature is about 37.1 degrees Celsius (98.8°F). In June, the average high is about 19.7 degrees Celsius (67.5°F). Night temperatures in January are around 21.8 degrees Celsius (71.2°F). In June, they drop to about 5.0 degrees Celsius (41.0°F). Kaltjiti gets about 222.6 millimetres (8.76 inches) of rain each year.
Kaltjiti's Population
In the 2016 Australian census, 220 people lived in Kaltjiti. The population has changed over the years. In 1986, there were 268 people. By 1991, it grew to 310. In 1996, it was 299. The 2001 Australian Census recorded 245 people. Later, in 2006, the total for Kaltjiti and nearby areas was 212. In 2011, it was 242.
Kaltjiti's History
Early Encounters
The first time non-Indigenous Australians recorded a community at Kaltjiti was in 1873. Explorer Ernest Giles and William Tietkens met about 200 Aboriginal men. Giles named the river "The Officer," which later became Officer Creek.
20th Century Development
In 1934, Harold Brown started the first European settlement. He was given permission to use water from Shirley Well. Fregon was built in 1961 with government help. It was a place for cattlemen and their families. The community was named "Fregon" after a Mr. Fregon from Victoria. He donated money to help missionaries dig a water bore. The site was chosen near Officer Creek. The goal was to train people in cattle work. It also allowed families to access their traditional lands.
Fregon started with a school, a small hospital, a workshop, and a store. It also had houses for staff. In 1968, Kaltjiti got its own airstrip. From the late 1970s to early 1980s, Victor Harbor Primary School began a yearly cultural exchange. Year 7 students would visit Fregon to learn about local culture and language. This exchange still happens today. In the 1980s, the cattle industry in the area ended. The Australian government helped fund the settlement as an outstation during this time.
21st Century Water Discovery
In 2019, a new water source was found near Kaltjiti. This water is about 90 metres (295 feet) below the ground. Older water sources are only about 30 metres (98 feet) deep. Samples of the new water are 5 to 10 million years old. Local elder Witjiti George hopes this water can help support a cattle herd. This could create jobs and an industry for the community. The new source could also provide much-needed drinking water. Experts are working with Flinders University and the CSIRO to learn more.
Community Facilities
Kaltjiti does not have police living there all the time. South Australia Police officers from Mimili patrol the area. There is a small building that acts as a police station when they are present. A new, permanent police station is being built at Umuwa. This new station will help officers support communities like Kaltjiti. They will work to keep children safe and help families.
Kaltjiti has a paved airstrip. Electricity comes from a central power station in Umuwa. Water comes from six bores. Some of this water is desalinated (salt removed) for drinking. This treated water goes to the clinic, hot water systems, and special drinking taps. Other water is used for other needs. All water is cleaned using UV light.
Kaltjiti has the Fregon Anangu School. There are also opportunities for further education (TAFE). A health clinic is run by Nganampa Health Council. A doctor visits Kaltjiti and Pukatja. There is also a general store that gets supplies weekly.
For sports, Kaltjiti has an Australian Rules Football field and a basketball court with lights. Like most APY settlements, residents can watch Australian Broadcasting Corporation and Special Broadcasting Service television. A mobile polling booth visits Kaltjiti every four years for state elections.
To visit any community on the APY Lands, you need a permit. These lands are owned by the Aboriginal people.
Kaltjiti Arts Centre
The community has an art centre called Kaltjiti Arts. It is one of ten art centres owned and run by Indigenous people. These centres form the APY Art Centre Collective, which started in 2013.
