Oombulgurri Community, Western Australia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids OombulgurriWestern Australia |
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 Oombulgurri
Location in Western Australia
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| Established | 1973 | ||||||||
| Abolished | 2011 | ||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 6740 | ||||||||
| Elevation | 385 m (1,263 ft) | ||||||||
| Area | [convert: needs a number] | ||||||||
| Location | |||||||||
| LGA(s) | Shire of Wyndham-East Kimberley | ||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Kimberley | ||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Durack | ||||||||
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Oombulgurri, also known as Umbulgara, was an Aboriginal community in the eastern Kimberley region of Western Australia. It was about 45 kilometres (28 miles) by air from Wyndham. By road, it was about 210 kilometres (130 miles) northwest of Wyndham.
The community started as the Forrest River Mission in 1913. In 2006, about 107 people lived there. The Yeidji people, now called Balanggarra, lived in Oombulgurri. In 2011, the government decided the community could not continue. The last residents moved to Wyndham just before Christmas 2011. There is still a locality (a defined area) called Oombulgurri. In 2021, 27 people lived in this wider area.
Contents
History of Oombulgurri
Starting the Mission
The Anglican Forrest River Mission for Aborigines was first tried in 1896. It was started by Harold Hale but closed after a few months. A lasting mission, called the Forrest River Mission, began in 1913. This was set up by Bishop Gerard Trower.
In December 1913, Anglican priest Ernest Gribble took charge. He had previously worked at Yarrabah. Gribble stayed as the leader until the early 1930s.
In 1926, the mission faced a serious flu outbreak. It was also affected by a difficult event known as the Forrest River massacre. This event is still talked about today.
The mission closed in 1969. This happened after the 1967 Aboriginal referendum.
Becoming Oombulgurri
In 1973, fifty Aboriginal people decided to return to their traditional land. They renamed the area Oombulgurri. Within one year, the number of people living there grew to 200.
During the 1970s and 1980s, new buildings and support programs were set up. These helped the residents with basic needs. They also helped the community become more self-sufficient.
Community Closure
In October 2010, the government of Western Australia announced plans to close Oombulgurri. The number of people living there had dropped from 150 to fewer than 50.
By February 2011, the government was thinking about what to do with the area. Ideas included making it a tourist spot or a place for young people in trouble. On March 1, 2011, the community's only shop was taken apart and moved.
By March 2, 2011, only seven people were left in Oombulgurri. The last residents moved to Wyndham just before Christmas 2011. In 2014, the government planned to knock down most buildings. Former residents did not agree with this plan.
How to Get There
It is usually only possible to reach Oombulgurri by boat or by air. The dirt road from Home Valley Station is often flooded. This happens most of the year during the wet season. The total road distance from Wyndham is about 210 kilometres (130 miles).
There is a small airstrip nearby for light planes. You can also get there by a dirt road from Kalumburu. This road is about 308 kilometres (191 miles) long.
