PALYA means HELLO in Pitjantjatjara

(pronounced as pit-jan-jah-jarra)

It was not only the warm welcome that inspired these Captains of Industry into action. Once they learned about Indulkana and what the town have achieved they could see that this community was enterprising.

A town with a transient population whose community sits at around 300 people, it is active, responsive and fun!

 

There’s something about Indulkana that touched our hearts.

The community have developed the following:

Iwantja Arts Centre – the main source of income for the community members.

There are many different kinds of artworks produced.

Youth Shed – recreational activities, fundamental life skills, books, internet, support, open 6 days per week

Shop – offering fuel, fresh and frozen foods, clothes etc.

School / Pre-school / Community Centre

The Indulkana School was established in 1971. It has approximately 80 students in primary and secondary school and 20 children in pre-school. Curriculum areas are coordinated between Anangu schools and are based on standard SouthAustralian curricula. The schools have a strong history of curriculum/policy development and documentation, aided by regular meetings of curriculum working parties. There is ongoing modification of standard curriculum documents to meet the needs of Anangu children.

For the students of Indulkana School, English is often their second or third language and many are exposed to English when they start school.

Short films

Radio

Aged care and residential services

TAFE SA-practical courses that create pathways into employment

 

Sport – football. AFL football is HUGE in Indulkana, the TIGERS are the local team and during football season the games attract people from all over the APY Lands.

 

 

WHY A SOLAR POWERED WEATHER STATION?

Some may say that the Indulkana community needs other things more than it needs solar powered weather station. However, when the community were asked what they needed this is what they stated as being something that would be utilised by many and varied.

Richard looks toward sustainably in all facets of his business.

He recognises that his removals company has an environmental impact, hence his sponsorship of the Solar car Challenge. He would like more innovation and support for this industry and believes one thing he can do is implement best practice in any way he can. When he was told that the community needed a weather station, it was natural for him to think of Solar, particularly being located in in remote Australia.

THE LAUNCH

In Sydney, the way we would organise a launch would be to book a venue, email out an invitation, make sure we have visual/audio presentations, have some champagne and canapés. It was refreshing to be encouraged to just have a wander around and see who was available, “pop in and have a chat” we were told. We met a number of the locals, prominent business people, the Marla progress association and the regional disabilities and aged worker. Our launch, while being a bit irregular, felt genuine, it was face to face with the community and a beer at the pub.

Unbeknownst to us the weather station in Marla was dismantled, leaving no way for the locals to get an accurate reading of the weather. We discovered that the police, the local businesses, the Royal Flying Doctor Service, the school of the air, local businesses and education facilities all use the Indulkana weather station. This development has been a fantastic off shoot of our original aim, demonstrating that if you respond directly to need and let the community guide you, you will end up helping more people than you originally planned to.

STAY TUNED

The following organisations have come on board to support our work :

The Bureau of Meteorology

The Indigenous Literacy Foundation

Iwantja Arts Centre

The School of the Air