Warmun Community, Western Australia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Warmun Community Western Australia
Warmun Community Location in Western Australia
Postcode(s)	6743
Elevation	207 m (679 ft)
Area	[convert: needs a number]
Location	3,009 km (1,870 mi) north east of Perth, Western Australia 858 km (533 mi) east of Broome
LGA(s)	Shire of Halls Creek
State electorate(s)	Kimberley
Federal Division(s)	Durack

Warmun Community, also known as Turkey Creek, is a small town and area in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. It is located on the Great Northern Highway. Warmun is about 3000 kilometers (1864 miles) northeast of Perth. The town of Halls Creek is about 160 kilometers (99 miles) to the south. Kununurra is about 200 kilometers (124 miles) north of Warmun. A small creek called Turkey Creek runs through the community.

History of Warmun

The Gija people are the original inhabitants of the Warmun area. They have lived here for thousands of years.

European farmers started settling in this area in the 1800s. The Warmun community officially began in 1901. This was when the government built a supply depot at Turkey Creek.

Mistake Creek Incident

In March 1915, a very sad event happened at Mistake Creek. It is known as the Mistake Creek massacre. Several Gija people were killed in this incident. This event is an important part of the local Aboriginal history. It is remembered through stories and art.

Warmun Floods in 2011

In March 2011, Warmun experienced a huge flash flood. The floodwaters quickly rose and affected many homes. The school, clinic, and the Warmun Art Centre were also damaged. At that time, Turkey Creek flowed right through the middle of the community. Everyone in Warmun had to leave their homes for safety. Luckily, no one was hurt or died. All the buildings were later rebuilt on higher ground to prevent future flood damage.

Warmun's Climate

Community Management

The Warmun community is managed by a group called Warmun Community (Turkey Creek) Incorporated. This group was officially formed in 1977. It helps run the town and make decisions for the people living there.

Local Facilities and Attractions

The Ngalangangpum School was built in Warmun in 1979. The community asked for this school so that students could stay in their hometown. Before this, students had to go to St Joseph's School in Wyndham. They could only come home during holidays. The school was improved in 1987, 1990, and 2001. These upgrades allowed students to complete their secondary school education right in Warmun.

Warmun Art and Culture

Warmun art is famous around the world. In 1975, artists Rover Thomas and Paddy Jaminji started working together in Warmun. Their art helped shape modern Aboriginal art in the East Kimberley region.

Many important artists and elders have come from Warmun. These include Queenie McKenzie, Madigan Thomas, Hector Jandany, George Mung Mung, and Jack Britten. Rover Thomas and Queenie MacKenzie are especially known for being pioneers of modern Indigenous art in Australia.

Warmun Art Centre

The Warmun Art Centre is a special place for Gija art, language, and culture. It was started in 1998 by artists like Rover Thomas and Queenie McKenzie. The centre is owned and run by the community. Its main goal is to protect and share important cultural objects and knowledge through art. All the money earned from art sales goes back to the community.

Art Centre History

During the 2011 floods, the art centre was badly hit. About 600 artworks in the gallery were washed away. However, the Warmun community's own collection of about 400 artworks was safe in a locked room. Even though they got wet, experts from Melbourne University were able to clean and fix them. These artworks were returned to the centre in 2013 after the building was rebuilt. The new centre was built on a riverbank, away from the main living area.

The art centre was closed for over two years during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia. During this time, the inside was redecorated. Artists worked from home, and the centre used new online tools to show and sell art. The centre reopened in May 2022. Visitors must follow health rules, like taking a rapid antigen test, to enter.

Art Style and Themes

Artists at the Warmun Art Centre have a unique style. They use ochre and other natural pigments on canvas. Their art shows traditional Dreaming stories and daily life. The style is often simple and clear. Shapes are often outlined with rows of white dots. Gija artists sometimes paint maps of the land using ochre. They might use gum from local bloodwood trees to help the paint stick.

Some Gija artists from Warmun have created artworks about the Mistake Creek incident. This helps them remember and share this important part of their history.

Art Collections and Artists

Artworks by Warmun artists are displayed in famous collections worldwide. These include the Art Gallery of Western Australia, Art Gallery of New South Wales, and the National Gallery of Australia.

Some very well-known Warmun artists are Mabel Juli, Shirley Purdie, and Lena Nyadbi.

More than 60 artists work at the centre. Other notable contemporary artists include:

• Gordon Barney
• Patrick Mung Mung
• Phyllis Thomas
• Churchill Cann
• Betty Carrington
• Rammey Ramsey
• Evelyn Malgil
• Peggy Patrick
• Nancy Nodea
• Lorraine Daylight
• Tommy Carroll
• Mary Thomas