Mount Margaret Aboriginal Community facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mount Margaret Western Australia
Mount Margaret Location in Western Australia
Postcode(s)	6440
Location	20 km (12 mi) south west of Laverton
LGA(s)	Shire of Laverton
State electorate(s)	Kalgoorlie
Federal Division(s)	O'Connor

Mount Margaret Community is a special place in Western Australia. It's an Aboriginal community located about 20 kilometers southwest of Laverton. This area is part of the Goldfields-Esperance region. The community used to be called the Mount Margaret Mission.

Today, the community is run by a group called the Aboriginal Movement for Outback Survival Aboriginal Corporation. This group was officially formed on September 12, 1997. They help manage everything for the people living there.

History of Mount Margaret

The Mount Margaret site began as a mission in 1921. It was started by the United Aborigines Mission. Many Aboriginal people from nearby areas soon came to live there.

By 1928, the mission became a central place for giving out food and supplies. Because of this, the Western Australian Government moved the mission further east. In 1976, the community became independent from the United Aborigines Mission. The Aboriginal Movement for Outback Survival Aboriginal Corporation took over. This group was created by people who lived at Mount Margaret, both in the past and present.

A building that used to be a hospital in the community has been checked for its historical importance.

Native Title and Land Rights

The Mount Margaret Community is located on land that has a special legal status. This land is part of the Nyalpa Pirniku native title claim area. A native title claim means that Aboriginal people have traditional rights and interests in the land.

Education at Mount Margaret

Children living in Mount Margaret attend The Mount Margaret Remote Community School. This school teaches students from Kindergarten up to Year 7.

For most students, Aboriginal English is their first language. However, some students speak Ngaanyatjarra or Wangkatha as their main language. The traditional language of the area, Wangkatha, is taught as a subject in the school. The school has a large playground with trees, gardens, and lawns. Students help to keep their school environment tidy.

Community Planning

The way Mount Margaret is set up is guided by a plan called Mt Margaret Layout Plan No.1. This plan follows rules from State Planning Policy 3.2 Aboriginal Settlements. The community approved this plan on August 14, 2001. The Western Australian Planning Commission also approved it on October 9, 2001. This plan helps make sure the community grows in an organized way.