Lombadina, Western Australia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Lombadina Western Australia
Lombadina Location in Western Australia
Time zone	AWST (UTC+8)
Location	170 km (106 mi) N of Broome, Western Australia
LGA(s)	Shire of Broome
State electorate(s)	Kimberley
Federal Division(s)	Durack

Lombadina is an Aboriginal community located on the north-western coast of Western Australia. It is found on Cape Leveque, which is north of the town of Broome. This area is part of the beautiful Kimberley region.

The name "Lombadina" comes from an Aboriginal word, "Lollmardinard". The community is home to the Bardi people, who are the traditional owners of this land. Lombadina is actually part of one larger urban area that also includes the nearby community of Djarindjin. In 2016, a count of people (called a Census) showed that this combined area had 397 residents. Out of these, 312 were Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

A Catholic mission was started in Lombadina between 1910 and 1911. A man from the Philippines named Thomas Puertollano helped to set it up. Later, in 1916, an Irishman bought the land. This was done to prevent the government of Western Australia from taking control of the mission.

Education in Lombadina

Children living in Lombadina attend the Lombadina-Djarindjin Catholic Primary School. This school teaches students from pre-school (who are usually 4 years old) all the way up to Year 10 (who are about 16 years old). Around 90 students go to this school.

How Lombadina is Run

The Lombadina community is managed by its own organization, called the Lombadina Aboriginal Corporation. This group was officially set up on July 16, 1987. It helps the community make decisions and manage its affairs.

Land and Traditional Owners

The land where Lombadina is located is part of a special area known as the Bardi Jawi native title claim. This means that the Bardi people have legal rights and interests in this land as its traditional owners.