Patjarr, also known as Karilwara, is a remote Aboriginal community located in the western part of the Ngaanyatjarra Lands in Western Australia, near the Clutterbuck Hills between Lake Cobb and Lake Newell. Established in the late 1980s as part of the homeland movement, Patjarr was founded by Yarnangu people seeking to return to their ancestral lands after being relocated to missions and government settlements. The area around Patjarr holds deep cultural and spiritual significance, with many important sites connected to Dreaming stories and traditional practices.
Patjarr is a living link to traditional country, with residents continuing to practice hunting, gathering, and other aspects of traditional life. Though small, Patjarr plays a vital role in the preservation of Ngaanyatjarra culture and identity.
Patjarr, also known as Karilwara, is located in the Clutterbuck Hills between Lake Cobb and Lake Newell, approximately 240 km northwest of Warburton. The residents are primarily Pintupi-speaking people, who are among the last Aboriginal groups in Australia to be contacted by non-Aboriginals.
In 1965, geologists from Union Oil Development Corporation reported sightings of Aboriginal people still living a traditional lifestyle in the Clutterbuck Hills. A few years later, in 1968, ethnographic filmmaker Ian Dunlop and anthropologist Robert Tonkinson documented the traditional subsistence practices of the Pintupi people in the area.
Throughout the early 1970s, Native Patrol Officers were still bringing people from the Clutterbuck Hills region to Warburton Mission. By this time, many of the Warburton residents had adapted to European ways, and the newly arrived Pintupi were often ridiculed for their “bush” manners and customs. Feeling unwelcome, many Pintupi left Warburton and moved to fringe camps near gold mining towns like Wiluna.
In 1979, a large group of Pintupi from Warburton camped at Tika Tika rockholes, just south of Patjarr, for two months. During this time, they constructed a 90-kilometre hand-cut road from the Gunbarrel Highway to their traditional water sources, marking the beginning of their gradual return to their homelands.
However, while they were away, a significant portion of their traditional land had been designated as the Gibson Desert Nature Reserve, without their knowledge or consent. This designation prohibited traditional hunting, gathering, and the establishment of living areas. In 1993, the Ngaanyatjarra Council, on behalf of the Pintupi, successfully lodged a submission for an excision, allowing for a permanent living area within the Nature Reserve. The community was subsequently returned to its traditional owners under lease from the Aboriginal Lands Trust.
By 1993, a large group was living at the outstation without modern infrastructure, such as a mechanised water supply, permanent buildings, or electricity. Today, Patjarr has houses, a permanent water supply, a store, and clinic facilities. In 1995, Patjarr became an incorporated community and a member of the Ngaanyatjarra Land Council.
Health
A brick nurse’s flat has been constructed at Patjarr and the Warburton Health Clinic has a full-time residential sister who provides health clinic service to the Community. RFDS make regular monthly visits for Doctor’s Clinic.
Community School Facilities
A school and a new school house has been built at the community but is currently not operating.
Law/Order And Justice Services
Police come from Laverton, if necessary.
Community Store
A large new store was completed in May 1997 and is managed by Community Development Advisor, assisted by community shop assistants. Supplies are delivered weekly to Warburton via Ngaanyatjarra Agency and Transport Service truck from Perth and the community Advisor’s vehicle ferries dry goods weekly from Warburton to Patjarr.
Community Women’s Facilities
A small shed has been allocated for Women’s activities.
Community Ambulance Service
A nursing sister’s vehicle fitted with radio and used for medical transport as necessary.
*2021 Census Data (ABS)
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