Pukatja, South Australia

{{Infobox Australian place | type = town | name = Pukatja (Ernabella) | state = sa | image = | caption = | coordinates = {{coord|26.286773|S|132.13302|E|format=dms|display=inline,title}} | coord_ref =<ref name="LMV">{{cite web|title=Search results for 'Pukatja, Loca' with the following datasets selected - 'Suburbs and localities', 'Local Government Areas', 'SA Government Regions', 'Postcodes' and 'Gazetteer'|url=http://location.sa.gov.au/viewer/?map=topographic&x=132.15335&y=-26.28221&z=13&uids=19,11,18,20,105&pinx=132.134330&piny=-26.285340&pinTitle=Location&pinText=Pukatja,+Loca |website=Location SA Map Viewer|publisher=South Australian Government|access-date=18 April 2019}}</ref>

| pushpin_map_caption = |pushpin_label_position = bottom

| pop = 412 | pop_year = {{CensusAU|2016}} | pop_footnotes = <ref name="2016 Census QuickStats">{{cite web | title=2016 Census QuickStats: Pukatja (Ernabella) | website=Australian Bureau of Statistics| url=https://quickstats.censusdata.abs.gov.au/census_services/getproduct/census/2016/quickstat/ILOC40200109?opendocument&navpos=220 | access-date=13 March 2020}}</ref> | established = c. 1938 | established_footnotes = | abolished = | gazetted = | postcode = 0872<ref name="LMV"/> | elevation = 676 | elevation_footnotes = | area = | area_footnotes = | timezone = | utc = | timezone-dst = | utc-dst =

| lga = [[Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara]]<ref name="LMV"/> | region = [[Far North (South Australia)|Far North]]<ref name="LMV"/> | stategov = [[Electoral district of Giles|Giles]]<ref name= ECSA >{{cite web|title=District of Giles Background Profile|url= https://www.ecsa.sa.gov.au/electoral-districts/electoral-district-profiles?view=article&id=831:giles |publisher=Electoral Commission SA|access-date=18 July 2019}}</ref> | fedgov = [[Division of Grey|Grey]]<ref name=AEC>{{cite web|title=Profile of the electoral division of Grey (SA)|url= https://www.aec.gov.au/profiles/sa/grey.htm |publisher=Australian Electoral Commission|access-date=13 August 2019}}</ref> | maxtemp = 26.8 | maxtemp_footnotes = | mintemp = 11.8 | mintemp_footnotes = | rainfall = 274.3 | rainfall_footnotes =

| near-n = | near-ne = | near-e = | near-se = | near-s = | near-sw = | near-w = | near-nw = | footnotes = }} '''Pukatja''' (formerly '''Ernabella''', {{langx|pjt|Anapala}}) is an [[Aboriginal Australians|Aboriginal]] community in the [[Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara| Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands]] in [[South Australia]], comprising one of the six main communities on "The Lands" (the others being [[Amata, South Australia|Amata]], [[Pipalyatjara, South Australia|Pipalyatjara]], [[Kaltjiti, South Australia|Fregon]]/[[Kaltjiti, South Australia|Kaltjiti]], [[Indulkana, South Australia|Indulkana]] and [[Mimili, South Australia|Mimili]]).

Established as a [[Presbyterian Church|Presbyterian]] [[Christian mission|mission]] in 1937 with enlightened practices which maintained the [[Pitjantjatjara dialect|Pitjantjatjara language]] at the school and church services, Ernabella was handed over to the community in 1974 and was later named Pukatja. Ernabella Arts is Australia's oldest continuously running Indigenous art centre.

== Time zone == Due to its links with the [[Northern Territory]] and proximity to the border, the [[Aṉangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara|APY Lands]] do not observe daylight savings unlike the rest of South Australia. The time zone observed throughout the year is Australian Central Standard Time ([[UTC+9:30]]), in line with [[Darwin, Northern Territory|Darwin]] rather than [[Adelaide]].

==Geography== Pukatja is in the eastern [[Musgrave Ranges]], west of the [[Stuart Highway]], about {{convert|30|km| mi}} south of the [[Northern Territory]] border, about {{convert|330| km|mi}} south-west of [[Alice Springs]] and {{convert|25|km|mi}} north of [[Umuwa]], the major administrative centre within the APY Lands.<ref>{{cite web|website= Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara|url=http://anangu.com.au/index.php/sa-communities/pukatjaernabella.html|title=Pukatja|access-date=11 July 2019}}</ref> It is about {{convert|1400|km|mi}} by road from [[Adelaide]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.waru.org/communities/pukatja/ |title= Pukatja community |work= Waru.org |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927022037/http://www.waru.org/communities/pukatja/ |archive-date=27 September 2007 |df=dmy }}</ref>

The community sits at an elevation of about {{convert|703| metres|ft}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://weather.gladstonefamily.net/site/94474|access-date=11 July 2019|title=Synop Information for 94474 in Ernabella (pukatja), SA, Australia}} ('''Note:''' Sources vary from 676-705m.)</ref>

The area is prone to [[earthquake]]s, one of few areas of Australia to have experienced multiple large earthquakes in recorded history. In 2012 and 2013, the town experienced a 5.7 magnitude earthquake, classified as "moderate" on the [[Richter magnitude scale|Richter scale]] and the country's two largest earthquakes in those years.<ref>{{cite news|publisher=The Advertiser|url=https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/remote-south-australian-town-ernabella-records-countrys-largest-earthquakes-two-years-in-a-row/news-story/6d3a14bbe024d20c9f36bd7f910ee341|website=Adelaide Now|title=Remote South Australian town Ernabella records country's largest earthquakes two years in a row|first=Callie|last=Watson|date=7 May 2014|access-date=12 July 2019}}</ref>

==Population== In the [[2016 Australian census]], the population was 412,<ref name="2016 Census QuickStats"/> down from 503 in 2011.<ref name="2011 Census QuickStats">[http://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au/census_services/getproduct/census/2011/quickstat/ILOC40200109?opendocument&navpos=220 2011 Census QuickStats]</ref>

In the {{CensusAU|2001}}, Pukatja had 226 residents, and was second only to sister community [[Mimili, South Australia|Mimili]] in having the lowest ''per capita'' income in [[South Australia]] ($174). Like a number of [[Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara|APY Lands]] communities, Pukatja has one of the highest proportions of Australian-born residents (97.5%).<ref>2001 Census Data on South Australia - Cat. no. 4705.0 Population Distribution, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians - companion data - * NOTE: Excel spreadsheet link *[http://www.ausstats.abs.gov.au/ausstats/subscriber.nsf/0/CA2568A90021A807CA256BE30080D44A/$File/47050_table%209.xls]</ref>

==History== ===Mission=== Ernabella was a [[pastoral lease]] before it was established as a Presbyterian [[Mission (station)|mission station]] for Aboriginal people in 1937, driven by [[medical doctor]] and [[Aboriginal rights]] campaigner [[Charles Duguid]] (then president of the Aborigines Protection League) and supported by the [[South Australian government]].<ref name=ADB>{{cite book|first=W. H.|last=Edwards|title=Duguid, Charles (1884 - 1986)|website= Australian Dictionary of Biography|others=Originally published in Volume 17 of the ADB (Melbourne University Press, 2007, pp. 338–340)|chapter=Charles Duguid (1884–1986) |publisher=National Centre of Biography, Australian National University |chapter-url=http://adbonline.anu.edu.au/biogs/A170335b.htm|access-date=2 July 2019}}</ref>

[[Ernestine Hill]], after travelling in the area in the 1930s, wrote that colonisation only began there when the collection of [[dingo]] scalps (to help protect the sheep) by "doggers" started. Relationships of various types developed between the doggers and the local people, with the Aboriginal people's superior skills used to hunt collect the scalps, for which they were paid in rations, clothing and other goods. Some doggers cohabited with the local women, and sometimes groups of Anangu travelled with the doggers or set themselves up as doggers in their own right. There was a number of pastoral leases on the edge of the Western Desert, established from the 1880s, but development was marginal in the Musgrave Ranges area. Farming in these arid lands was labour-intensive, and an interdependence between the pastoralists and Aboriginal people developed.<ref name=Pybus>{{cite journal|first=Carol|last=Pybus|journal=The Journal of the European Association for Studies of Australia|title="We Grew up this Place": Ernabella Mission 1937-1974|date=2015|volume=6|issue=1|url=http://www.easa-australianstudies.net/files/2%20ERNABELLA_PagFinal.pdf|access-date=11 July 2019}}</ref>

On a trip to Ernabella in 1935, Duguid noticed discrimination and heard reports of abuse of Aboriginal men's labour and the sexual abuse of women. He advocated the establishment of a mission "to act as a buffer between the Aborigines and the encroaching white settlers". In 1936 he persuaded the General Assembly of the [[Presbyterian Church of Australia|Presbyterian Church]] to purchase the Ernabella lease,<ref>{{cite book|title=Ngapartji Ngapartji: In turn in turn: Ego-histoire, Europe and Indigenous Australia|editor-first1= Vanessa|editor-last1= Castejon|editor-first2= Anna|editor-last2= Cole|editor-first3= Oliver |editor-last3=Haag|editor-first4= Karen|editor-last4= Hughes|isbn=9781925021738|first=Bill|last=Edwards|chapter=4. A Personal Journey with Anangu History|url=https://press-files.anu.edu.au/downloads/press/p301021/html/ch04.xhtml?referer=&page=11|others=Ebook|date= 12 November 2014|publisher= ANU Press|access-date=6 July 2019}}</ref> an area of {{convert|500|sqmi|sqkm}},<ref name=Pybus/> despite some opposition from other members (including [[John Flynn (minister)|John Flynn]]). Duguid laid down the following principles for the mission: "There was to be no compulsion nor imposition of our way of life on the Aborigines, nor deliberate interference with tribal custom ... only people trained in some particular skill should be on the mission staff, and ... they must learn the tribal language.<ref>[Australian National University] "A Moravian Mission in Australia: Ebenezer through Ernabella eyes", Bill Edwards; [http://rspas.anu.edu.au/pah/TransTasman/papers/Edwards_Bill.pdf] (dead-url)</ref><ref name=ADB/>

The mission respected the culture and traditions of the [[Pitjantjatjara people|Pitjantjatjara]] and [[Yankunytjatjara]] people, the two groups of the large [[Western Desert language]] bloc who now call themselves [[Anangu]], and offered medical help and education, with no conditions attached. Author and researcher Carol Pybus wrote that the Ernabella Mission did not interfere with tribal life, and many of the Aboriginal people "regard the mission times and their relationship with missionaries in a positive light", and enjoyed a spiritual life which blended Christianity with their beliefs and practices. Children were never separated from their families.<ref name=Pybus/>

The desert people had always been highly mobile, and shared [[Dreamtime]] stories and other aspects of culture; during the drought of 1914–1915, people had come from the [[Mann Ranges]] area and stayed in the area. There was no need for the missionaries to entice people to the Mission; people moved there on their own accord. Some saw it as a place of care and protection from exploitation. The Mission encouraged independence and supported the sometime-residents' nomadic way of life. Duguid's idea of a "buffer zone", however, was a two-edged sword. In hindsight, although it created a safe space, it also entrenched the boundary and perhaps widened the gap between people at the Mission and wider society.<ref name=Pybus/>

The first school building was completed in 1940, and was unique in South Australia in that English was not taught as the first language; it was only introduced as a second language in 1944. "Writing, reading and spelling, arithmetic, hygiene, drawing, singing, gardening, woodwork and sewing, geography and Nature Study" were all taught in [[Pitjantjatjara dialect|Pitjantjatjara]]. Enrolment rose from 25 in 1940 to 200 in 1943, with daily attendance of about 45, with no compulsion to attend. Hymns and parts of the [[Bible]] were translated into Pitjantjatjara.<ref name=Pybus/>

In the early 1950s, Superintendent Ron Trudinger wrote of a "tribal home", and there was talk of a "Native Village". Through the 1950s, cultural changes did occur, with traditional ways dropped and new practices adopted. The first baptisms took place in 1952, to the sound of hymns sung in Pitjantjatjara, but there was little proselytising, and old ways co-existed alongside the new.<ref name=Pybus/>

Staff at the Mission stayed for long periods: apart from Trudinger (1940–1957), there was [[James Robert Beattie Love]] (1937–1946),<ref>{{Cite book| title = Converting Salvation:Protestant Missionaries in Central Australia, 1930-40s | last = Trudinger | first = David | year = 2004 | publisher = [[Australian National University|ANU doctoral thesis]] | pages = 54–58 | url = https://openresearch-repository.anu.edu.au/bitstream/1885/8219/21/05Chapter2_Trudinger.pdf}}</ref> Bill Edwards (1958–1972), John Bennett (25 years overseeing the sheep enterprise), and Deaconess [[Winifred Hilliard]] coordinated the Ernabella Craft centre (now [[Ernabella Arts]]) from 1954 to 1974 and continued to work for Ernabella Arts until 1986. There was deep respect and affection between the people and the staff; Hilliard was buried there, and a large contingent of Ernabella people, including the Choir, attended Edwards' funeral in Adelaide in 2015.<ref name=Pybus/>

In 1972, the community elders, who called Duguid "Tjilpi" ("respected old man"), wrote to him saying that they wanted him to be buried at Ernabella "so that Aborigines will always remember that he was one of us and that he faithfully helped us". Duguid regarded this as a great compliment, and after his death on 5 December 1986, his body was flown to Ernabella and buried among his friends in the Mission Cemetery.<ref name=ADB/>

===Handover to community=== Responsibility for the administration of Ernabella Mission was formally handed over to the Ernabella Community Council – later Pukatja Community Council – on 1 January 1974.<ref>"Indigenous Politics: A letter to all Australians", New Matilda Magazine (replicated on ANTaR), 8 September 2006 [http://www.antar.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=286&Itemid=1]</ref>

The settlement was funded by the [[Australian government|federal government]] as an [[Outstation (Aboriginal community)|outstation]] during the 1980s.<ref name=1987report>{{cite book | title=Inquiry into the Aboriginal homelands movement in Australia|date=March 1987 | website=Parliament of Australia | url=https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/reports/1987/1987PP125report | author1=Parliament of Australia. House of Representatives Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs| others=Published online 12 June 2011|isbn=0-644-06201-0|first2=Allen|last2=Blanchard|publisher=Australian Government Publishing Service |author-link2=Allen Blanchard| access-date=16 August 2020}} [https://www.aph.gov.au/binaries/house/committee/reports/1987/1987_pp125a.pdf PDF]</ref>

==Heritage-listed buildings== The former [[Ernabella Mission Hospital, Church and Manse]] are listed on the [[South Australian Heritage Register]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://apps.planning.sa.gov.au/HeritageSearch/HeritageItem.aspx?p_heritageno=30 |title=Former Hospital, Church and Manse of former Ernabella Mission |publisher=Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources |work=South Australian Heritage Register |access-date=12 February 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160216021523/http://apps.planning.sa.gov.au/HeritageSearch/HeritageItem.aspx?p_heritageno=30 |archive-date=16 February 2016 |df=dmy }}</ref>

== {{anchor}}Ernabella Arts == {{split|Ernabella Arts|date=July 2019}} Established in 1948, Ernabella Arts remains in operation, as Australia's oldest continuously running Indigenous Art Centre.<ref name=ernarts>{{cite web|website=Ernabella Arts|url=http://www.ernabellaarts.com.au/|access-date=11 July 2019|title=Ernabella Arts: the oldest Art Centre}}</ref>

During the 1950s and 1960s, art and craft using locally produced wool was the predominant artistic form produced by the Ernabella artists. [[Batik]] was successfully introduced after several Ernabella artists travelled to [[Indonesia]] in the 1970s. The Ernabella artists are renowned for their batik work and printmaking. A substantial collection of Ernabella art can be seen at the [[National Museum of Australia]], including a range of fine ceramics also produced by the Ernabella artists.<ref>[http://www.nma.gov.au/collections/ernabella_arts_collection/ Ernabella Arts collection], [[National Museum of Australia]]</ref>

In recent years, female elders have started to depict their ''[[Tjukurpa]]'' (sacred stories of country and law) in their art. Artists both young and old, including some very senior men and women, work at the centre. The award-winning [[Dickie Minyintiri]] was perhaps the most well-known artist to work there.<ref name=ernarts/> Other artists associated with Ernabella Arts include [[Yilpi Adamson]], [[Milyika Carroll]], [[Malpiya Davey]], [[Angkuna Kulyuru]], [[Nura Rupert]], [[Tjunkaya Tapaya]], and [[Harry Tjutjuna]].

Ernabella Arts is one of ten Indigenous-owned and -governed enterprises that go to make up the APY Art Centre Collective,<ref name=aacc>{{cite web | title=Our Art Centres | website=APY Art Centre Collective | url=https://www.apyartcentrecollective.com/our-art-centres | access-date=16 March 2020}}</ref> established in 2013.<ref>{{cite magazine| title = New gallery run for and by Anangu artists opens in Adelaide | last = Marsh | first = Walter | magazine = The Adelaide Review | url = https://www.adelaidereview.com.au/arts/visual-arts/2019/05/20/anangu-apy-arts-centre-collective-adelaide-aboriginal-gallery/ | date = 20 May 2019 | access-date = 15 March 2020 }}</ref>

==Facilities== A permit is required for visitors to any community on the APY Lands, as they are [[fee simple|freehold]] lands owned by the Aboriginal people.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.anangu.com.au/index.php/permits.html|website=Anangu|title=Permits|access-date=12 July 2019}}</ref>

{{as of|July 2019}} a major road upgrade, funded by federal and state governments, has been under way since 2016. {{convert|210 |km|mi}} of the Main Access Road between the Stuart Highway and Pukatja are being improved to improve general road safety, communications, food delivery, emergency service access and community interaction. The airstrip access road is also being upgraded. By May 2019, a total of {{convert|54| km|mi}} had been constructed, including the Pukatja Airstrip Access Road, a {{convert|7|km|mi}} section from the Stuart Highway to [[Iwantja]] (Indulkana), and the {{convert|43|km|mi}} section (Stage 1) between Pukatja and [[Umuwa]].<ref>{{cite web|website=Government of Australia. Dept of Planning, Transport & Infrastructure.|url=https://www.dpti.sa.gov.au/apylands|title=APY Lands: Main access road upgrade|access-date=12 July 2019}}</ref>

The [[Ernabella Anangu School]] offers [[Reception (school)|reception]] through to senior high school.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ernabella.sa.edu.au/|website= Ernabella school|title=Home}}</ref> Technical and Further Education ([[TAFE]]) facilities for the APY Lands are based at Pukatja and the other centres.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tafesa.edu.au/locations/apy-lands/ernabella|website=Government of South Australia. Technical and Further Education|title=Ernabella|access-date=12 July 2019}}</ref>

The old Pukatja [[police station]], which was not permanently staffed, was in poor condition and due for replacement in July 2007.<ref>"Police Stations like ill-equipped sheds", Adelaide Advertiser, 7 July 2007 [http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,22030204-2682,00.html]</ref> A month later the State Government announced that it would spend [[Australian dollar|A$]]7.5 million at Amata and Pukatja for new police stations, court facilities and cells along with associated police housing and facilities.<ref>[http://www.premier.sa.gov.au/news.php?id=1971 "$34 million package for the APY Lands" 'Minister Weatherill Media Release, 3 August 2007']'Retrieved on 8 August 2007'</ref> The new, permanently staffed facilities were opened in March 2010, staffed by one sergeant, three constables and a Police Aboriginal Liaison Officer. The police officers' duties include liaison with and participation in the school, football team and local [[South Australian Country Fire Service|Country Fire Service (CFS)]] activities.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://formerministers.dss.gov.au/13985/new-police-stations-officially-opened-in-the-apy-lands/|title= New police stations officially opened in the APY Lands|date=11 November 2010|website=Australian Government. Department of Social Services|others=Media release|access-date=6 July 2019}}</ref>

There are telephones ([[landline]] and [[smartphone]]s), [[ADSL]] internet access, and multiple television channels including [[SBS Television]], [[NITV]], [[Imparja]] and [[ABC Television (Australian TV network)|ABC]], and mail is delivered twice weekly by air from [[Alice Springs]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nganampahealth.com.au/nganampa-health-frequently-asked-questions|website=Nganampa Health Council|title=FAQ|access-date=12 July 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|website=NITV|url=https://www.sbs.com.au/nitv/article/2019/04/12/aboriginal-women-find-smartphone-way-inner-peace-australias-outback|title=Aboriginal women find a smartphone way for inner peace in Australia's outback|first=Keira|last=Jenkins|date=12 April 2019|access-date=12 July 2019}}</ref>

{{as of|2019}} the supermarket is run by the Pukatja Supermarket & Associated Stores Aboriginal Corporation.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://maiwiru.org.au/contact-us/stores/pukatja-supermarket-associated-stores-aboriginal-corporation|title= Contact us: Pukatja|website=Mairuwu|access-date=12 July 2019}}</ref>

The [[Uniting Church in Australia]] has a congregation in Pukatja.<ref>[http://ns.uca.org.au/congregations/congregations.html UCA List of Congregations]</ref>

After a long wait, a swimming pool was finally opened in January 2025.<ref>{{cite web | title=Pukatja pool open after 20-year wait|first=Abe |last=Maddison | website=[[InDaily]] | date=14 January 2025 | url=https://www.indailysa.com.au/news/just-in/2025/01/14/kids-dive-into-pukatja-pool | access-date=18 January 2025}}</ref>

===Health=== A new health clinic was built in 2009,<ref>{{cite news|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|website=ABC News|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-11-10/new-health-clinic-for-remote-ernabella/1136200|title=New health clinic for remote Ernabella|date=10 November 2009|access-date=12 July 2019}}</ref> with extensions completed in 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cordellconnect.com.au/public/project/ProjectDetails.aspx?uid=1592055|title=Project : APY Lands Pukatja Family Wellbeing Centre Extension|website=Cordell Connect|access-date=12 July 2019}}</ref> The Nganampa Health Council (NHC), an Aboriginal Community-Controlled Health Organisation, runs all of the clinics in the APY lands and runs a wide range of services.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nganampahealth.com.au/about-nganampa-health|website=Nganampa Health Council|title=Who we are|access-date=12 July 2019}}</ref>

In 2014, a Mobile [[Kidney dialysis|Dialysis]] Unit, a specially designed truck fitted with three [[Kidney dialysis|dialysis]] chairs started operation, visiting remote Aboriginal communities across South Australia, including Pukatja, [[Mimili]], [[Kaltjiti]] and [[Amata, South Australia|Amata]] in the APY lands, as well as [[Marla, South Australia|Marla]], [[Yalata]], [[Coober Pedy]], and [[Leigh Creek, South Australia|Leigh Creek]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/public+content/sa+health+internet/health+services/aboriginal+health+services/mobile+dialysis+unit+for+aboriginal+people|website=SA Health|title=Mobile Dialysis Unit for Aboriginal people|access-date=12 July 2019}}</ref> It is run from Purple House, a renal health clinic in [[Alice Springs]], over {{convert|400|km|mi}} away. In July 2018, Health Minister [[Greg Hunt]] and [[Ken Wyatt]], then Minister for Indigenous Health, announced increased funding for a number of health initiatives, including expanding renal health units in remote parts, through the [[National Health and Medical Research Council]] (NHMRC).<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.sbs.com.au/nitv/nitv-news/article/2018/08/01/funding-boost-tackle-challenges-dialysis-central-australia|website=NITV|title=Funding boost to tackle challenges of dialysis in Central Australia|date=1 August 2018|first=Ryan |last=Liddle|access-date=10 November 2019}}</ref>

In November 2019, a four-bed dialysis clinic was opened in Pukatja, named after Kinyin Mckenzie, who died in Alice Springs while receiving dialysis. The first such clinic in remote South Australia, it was funded mostly by the federal government, but boosted by the sale of paintings by Ernabella Arts, which raised {{AUD|170,000}} towards the centre. At full capacity, the clinic can provide dialysis for up to 16 patients, but there is still a need for some short-stay housing to accommodate those who travel from elsewhere for treatment at Pukatja.<ref>{{cite news|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-11-09/remote-dialysis-clinic-opens-on-apy-lands-reuniting-families/11685630|title=South Australia's first remote dialysis clinic changing lives for people in isolated communities|first=Samantha|last=Jonscher|date=9 November 2019|access-date=10 November 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|website=SBS News|url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/the-remote-south-australian-dialysis-unit-keeping-aboriginal-patients-on-country|title=The remote South Australian dialysis unit keeping Aboriginal patients on country|first=Jarni |last=Blakkarly|date=8 November 2019|access-date=10 November 2019}}</ref>

== Fauna== ===Warru=== In October 2007 it was reported that the [[black-flanked Rock-wallaby|black-flanked rock wallaby]], known as ''warru'' to the local population, faced extinction, and that 15 of the wallabies had been transferred from an undisclosed location on the APY Lands and also from Pukatja, to [[Monarto Zoo]] (now Monarto Safari Park). It had been estimated that there were only about 50 of the animals left in the wild. Work to monitor the species' survival was said to involve [[Aboriginal tracker]]s and schoolchildren from Pukatja to help track the wallabies' movements.<ref>''Adelaide Advertiser'', Monday, 1 October 2007, page 16</ref>

Previously widespread throughout the ranges of central Australia, the warru is {{as of|July 2019|lc=yes}} South Australia's most endangered mammal, primarily due to predation by [[fox]]es and [[feral cat]]s. However Monarto Safari Park has had some success in breeding the wallabies, and has helped to establish a viable population (22) of the wallabies in a {{convert|1|sqkm|sqmi}} fenced area, known as the Pintji, in the APY lands. In June 2017 the zoo announced that 25 of the population bred at Pintji, along with 15 others, had been released into the wild. These will be monitored and feral animal control measures are in place.<ref>{{cite web|website=Monarto Zoo|url=https://www.monartozoo.com.au/warru-release/|title=Safeguarding South Australia's most endangered mammal|first=Alyssa-Jane|last= Tucker|date=8 June 2017|access-date=12 July 2019}}</ref>

==Climate== Climate records for Ernabella/Pukatja have been kept since 1971. Due to its elevation high in the Musgrave Ranges, Pukatja is one of the coldest locations in central Australia. Minimum temperatures may drop below {{convert|-5|C|F}} with heavy frost and daytime maximum temperatures below {{convert|10|C|F}} may occur each winter.<ref name="Climate">{{cite web |url = http://reg.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_016013_All.shtml |title = Climate Statistics for Ernabella/Pukatja, South Australia |access-date = 11 February 2012}}</ref> Summers are still hot, however Pukatja does not experience the scorching {{convert|45|C|F}} plus summer maximum temperatures typical of most of inland South Australia. Average January maximums are {{convert|34.5|C|F}} and this drops to {{convert|17.8|C|F}} in June. Overnight lows range from a mean minimum temperature of {{convert|19.7|C|F}} in January to {{convert|3.3|C|F}} in June. Annual rainfall averages {{convert|275.2|mm|in}}, which is typical of an arid climate, and mostly falls from brief summer thunderstorms.<ref name="Climate"/>

{{Weather box |location = Ernabella/Pukatja, SA |single line = yes |metric first = yes | Jan record high C = 43.0 | Feb record high C = 42.9 | Mar record high C = 43.0 | Apr record high C = 38.5 | May record high C = 34.0 | Jun record high C = 27.7 | Jul record high C = 29.3 | Aug record high C = 32.2 | Sep record high C = 36.8 | Oct record high C = 39.4 | Nov record high C = 41.2 | Dec record high C = 43.5 |year record high C = 43.5 | Jan high C = 34.5 | Feb high C = 33.5 | Mar high C = 31.3 | Apr high C = 26.4 | May high C = 21.3 | Jun high C = 18.2 | Jul high C = 17.8 | Aug high C = 20.2 | Sep high C = 24.4 | Oct high C = 28.4 | Nov high C = 31.3 | Dec high C = 34.0 |year high C = 26.8 | Jan low C = 19.7 | Feb low C = 19.2 | Mar low C = 16.6 | Apr low C = 11.6 | May low C = 7.2 | Jun low C = 4.6 | Jul low C = 3.3 | Aug low C = 4.6 | Sep low C = 8.6 | Oct low C = 12.6 | Nov low C = 16.0 | Dec low C = 18.6 |year low C = 11.8 | Jan record low C = 7.0 | Feb record low C = 7.0 | Mar record low C = 6.3 | Apr record low C = 1.7 | May record low C = -2.5 | Jun record low C = -5.5 | Jul record low C = -7.6 | Aug record low C = -4.9 | Sep record low C = -2.0 | Oct record low C = 0.3 | Nov record low C = 4.5 | Dec record low C = 8.5 |year record low C = -7.6 | Jan precipitation mm = 43.7 | Feb precipitation mm = 35.5 | Mar precipitation mm = 26.6 | Apr precipitation mm = 19.5 | May precipitation mm = 19.1 | Jun precipitation mm = 16.8 | Jul precipitation mm = 12.3 | Aug precipitation mm = 14.0 | Sep precipitation mm = 11.9 | Oct precipitation mm = 23.9 | Nov precipitation mm = 21.8 | Dec precipitation mm = 29.1 |year precipitation mm = 274.3 | Jan precipitation days = 3.5 | Feb precipitation days = 3.3 | Mar precipitation days = 3.0 | Apr precipitation days = 2.5 | May precipitation days = 3.3 | Jun precipitation days = 3.4 | Jul precipitation days = 2.3 | Aug precipitation days = 2.8 | Sep precipitation days = 2.2 | Oct precipitation days = 3.5 | Nov precipitation days = 4.4 | Dec precipitation days = 3.9 |year precipitation days = 38.1 |source = The Bureau of Meteorology<ref name="Climate"/> |date=February 2012}}

== References == {{Reflist}}

==Further reading== *[https://guides.slsa.sa.gov.au/Aboriginal_Missions/ErnabellaAboriginal Aboriginal missions in South Australia: Ernabella] − State Library of South Australia resources guide * [http://www.michaelwinkler.com.au/PDF/Ernabella%20Choir.pdf Ernabella Choir: Something old, something new] - article in ''Education Horizons'', 2009

[[Category:Towns in South Australia]] [[Category:Aboriginal communities in South Australia]] [[Category:Australian Aboriginal missions]] [[Category:1938 establishments in Australia]] [[Category:Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara]]