Remote Pools: Community Profiles
The Remote Aboriginal Swimming Pools project is currently operating within eight remote Aboriginal communities located in the Pilbara, Kimberley and Gascoyne regions of Western Australia.
BALGO
Balgo is one of Australia’s most remote Aboriginal communities and is located in the Kimberley region on the edge of the Great Sandy Desert and the Tanami Desert.
Kukatja is the first language for many people at Balgo, which has a population of 359.
Royal Life Saving’s Remote Pools project has been operating in the community since 2019.
BALGO NEWS:
BIDYADANGA
Bidyadanga is a coastal town situated on La Grange Bay in the Kimberley region and is the traditional land of the Karrajarri. The population of Bidyadanga is around 800, making it one of the largest Aboriginal communities in the state.
The community was originally established as a ‘drying out’ station and is now active in activities such as pearl and shell collection. The Remote Pools project has been operating within the community since 2008.
BIDYADANGA NEWS:
BURRINGURRAH
Burringurrah is a remote Aboriginal community in the Upper Gascoyne region. The Wajarri Yamatji people are the traditional owners of the land, which has a population of around 160.
The Burringurrah local pool was the first of Royal Life Saving’s Remote Pools and was established in 1999. It’s often used to host community events and as a meeting place for friends and family to gather. The pool also plays an important educational role in the community, offering locals the opportunity to develop their swimming and water safety skills.
BURRINGURRAH NEWS:
FITZROY CROSSING
Fitzroy Crossing is one of only two towns along the 1,000 km stretch of Great Northern Highway between Broome and Kununurra. The community is located on the banks of the Fitzroy River and has a population of around 1,500.
Bunuba are the traditional owners of the land, however, there are a number of language groups within the Fitzroy Valley. Royal Life Saving has been managing the local pool as part of the Remote Pools project since 2010.
FITZROY CROSSING NEWS:
JIGALONG
Jigalong is an Aboriginal community on the edge of the Great Sandy Desert in the Pilbara region. The town is home to the Martu people, where the population fluctuates between 100 and 500.
The Martu people manage the community and still maintain their traditional values and culture.
Jigalong was one of the earliest pools to be completed as part of Royal Life Saving WA’s Remote Pools program and was established in the year 2000.
JIGALONG NEWS:
KALUMBURU
The Kalumburu community is the northernmost settlement in Western Australia and is located within the Shire of Wyndham-East Kimberley. The community is only accessible in the dry season and has a population of 412.
Royal Life Saving’s Remote Pools project has been operating in the community since 2019.
KALUMBURU NEWS:
WARMUN
Warmun is a small Aboriginal community located on the Great Northern Highway in the Kimberley region. It was originally referred to as Turkey Creek but has since been renamed to Warmun, the Aboriginal name for the area.
The community is home to nearly 600 people, mainly Gija speakers, but also includes Aboriginal people from other language groups.
Royal Life Saving has been managing the local pool as part of the Remote Pools project since 2008.
WARMUN NEWS:
YANDEYARRA
Yandeyarra is situated on a working cattle station in the Pilbara region. The community name is Mugarinya and though Kariyarra is the official language for the area, Nyangumarta is the most widely spoken language.
The Remote Pools project has been servicing the community of around 300 people since the year 2000.
YANDEYARRA NEWS: