Kurungal Communities

The Kurungal Communities include Wangkatjungka, Ngumpan and Kupartiya and they are located about 100km east of Fitzroy Crossing and about 200km from Halls Creek. The landscape is hot and dry in summer, however there are nearby gorges, waterholes and caves where tourists, locals and school children enjoy excursions and family camping trips.

Wangkatjungka

Wangkatjungka is the largest of the three communities and is located approximately 20km from the Great Northern Highway along a well maintained dirt road. There are about 180 permanent residents and the people are Wolmatjarri, Wangkatjungka or Gooniyandi. They retain strong links to their desert culture.

Wangkatjungka is a dry community under section 175 of the Liquor Control Act (1988).

Most community based services and agencies are based in Wangkatjungka. It is also the base for the majority of activities for the Kurungal Council. There is a store, Centrelink agent, health clinic, Home and Community Care, plant nursery, play group, school, visitor accommodation, administration office including community hall and kitchen, football ground and basketball court.

Ngumpan

Ngumpan is situated less than 1km from the Great Northern Highway and has a population of approximately 40 people. In 2010 the Ngurra Art Centre burned to the ground and a new building has recently been constructed and it plans to open for the 2012 tourist season. There are many talented and famous local artists including old people who have shown works in national galleries and who are key exhibitors in the Canning Stock Route Exhibition. There is donga style accommodation in Ngumpan which is utilized by visiting contractors and service providers.

Kupartiya

Kupartiya centres around the Bohemia Downs cattle station, approximately 60km from Wangkatjungka and 20km from the Great Northern Highway. Its population is about 35. Workers who reside in Kupartiya are required to travel long distances to work in Wangkatjungka where many of the work opportunities are based and located.

Sport & Recreation

The people of the Kurungal communities are staunch football supporters and during the football season, they travel to Fitzroy Crossing every week to watch the Wangkatjungka Crows. Other sport and recreation facilities are available in Fitzroy Crossing.

Local Services

Fitzroy Crossing is the nearest service centre to Wangkatjungka. Services include post office, hospital, Aboriginal Health Services, womens resource centre, school, police station, the Fitzroy Lodge, two petrol stations, TAFE, hardware store, and supermarket. There are numerous tradespeople who provide outreach services to the Kurungal communities. A number of government agencies are also based in Fitzroy Crossing.

>> Images from Kurungal Communities

This update provided April 2012