Maralinga Tjarutja
Encyclopedia
The Maralinga Tjarutja are the Indigenous Australian people who traditionally inhabit the remote western areas of South Australia
. They are a Southern Pitjantjatjara people.
The lands of the Maralinga Tjarutja bear their own name. These lands, in South Australia's remote west, comprise Maralinga Tjaruta, one of the four local government areas of South Australia classified an Aboriginal Council (AC). The area measures 102863.6 km², making it the largest local government area of South Australia by area (followed by Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara
to the north, which is nearly as large), with a population of only 105, all in the community of Oak Valley.
The Maralinga people had been moved from their lands in the 1950s to allow British nuclear tests
. The Maralinga Tjarutja native title
land was handed back to the Maralinga people in January 1985 under legislation passed by both houses of the South Australia
n Parliament in December 1984 and proclaimed in January 1985. Maralinga people resettled on the land in 1995 and named the main community Oak Valley Community.
. Dr Archie Barton AM was the Administrator until 2006, and was involved in the campaign in 1982-1984 on behalf of the Yalata and Maralinga people for land rights to the Maralinga Tjarutja lands.
The Maralinga Tjarutja and the Pila Nguru (or Spinifex people
) also jointly own and administer the 21,357.85 km² Mamungari Conservation Park, which area is contained in the area total for the council area. Emu Field
is now part of the council area, too, while the 3,300 km² Maralinga area is still a roughly square shaped enclave within the council area.
A part of the land surveyed and known as Section 400 remains occupied by the Crown through a provision of the Act mentioned above, for up to 50 years. This land includes the area of land occupied by the Maralinga Township and the areas in which actual atomic tests were carried out.
South Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
. They are a Southern Pitjantjatjara people.
The lands of the Maralinga Tjarutja bear their own name. These lands, in South Australia's remote west, comprise Maralinga Tjaruta, one of the four local government areas of South Australia classified an Aboriginal Council (AC). The area measures 102863.6 km², making it the largest local government area of South Australia by area (followed by Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara
Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara
Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara is a large Aboriginal local government area located in the remote north west of South Australia...
to the north, which is nearly as large), with a population of only 105, all in the community of Oak Valley.
The Maralinga people had been moved from their lands in the 1950s to allow British nuclear tests
British nuclear tests at Maralinga
British nuclear tests at Maralinga occurred between 1955 and 1963 at the Maralinga site, part of the Woomera Prohibited Area, in South Australia. A total of seven major nuclear tests were performed, with approximate yields ranging from 1 to 27 kilotons of TNT equivalent...
. The Maralinga Tjarutja native title
Native title
Native title is the Australian version of the common law doctrine of aboriginal title.Native title is "the recognition by Australian law that some Indigenous people have rights and interests to their land that come from their traditional laws and customs"...
land was handed back to the Maralinga people in January 1985 under legislation passed by both houses of the South Australia
South Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
n Parliament in December 1984 and proclaimed in January 1985. Maralinga people resettled on the land in 1995 and named the main community Oak Valley Community.
Maralinga Tjarutja Council
The Maralinga Tjarutja Council is an incorporated body constituted by the traditional owners (Yalata and Maralinga people) to administer the lands granted to the under the Maralinga Tjarutja Land Rights Act 1984 (SA). The head office is at: 43 McKenzie Street, CedunaCeduna, South Australia
Ceduna is a small town in the West Coast region of South Australia. It is situated in the northwest corner of Eyre Peninsula, facing the islands of the Nuyts Archipelago. It lies west of the junction of the Flinders and Eyre Highways around 786 km northwest of the capital Adelaide. The port...
. Dr Archie Barton AM was the Administrator until 2006, and was involved in the campaign in 1982-1984 on behalf of the Yalata and Maralinga people for land rights to the Maralinga Tjarutja lands.
The Maralinga Tjarutja and the Pila Nguru (or Spinifex people
Spinifex people
The Spinifex people, or Pila Nguru, are an Indigenous Australian people, whose traditional lands are situated in the Great Victoria Desert,, The Sydney Morning Herald, 2002-08-03. Retrieved 2007-04-21. in the Australian state of Western Australia, adjoining the border with South Australia, to the...
) also jointly own and administer the 21,357.85 km² Mamungari Conservation Park, which area is contained in the area total for the council area. Emu Field
Emu Field
Emu Field is located in the desert of South Australia, at . Variously known as Emu Field, Emu Junction or Emu, it was the site of the Operation Totem pair of nuclear tests conducted by the British government in October 1953.The site was surveyed by Len Beadell in 1952...
is now part of the council area, too, while the 3,300 km² Maralinga area is still a roughly square shaped enclave within the council area.
A part of the land surveyed and known as Section 400 remains occupied by the Crown through a provision of the Act mentioned above, for up to 50 years. This land includes the area of land occupied by the Maralinga Township and the areas in which actual atomic tests were carried out.
See also
- Emu FieldEmu FieldEmu Field is located in the desert of South Australia, at . Variously known as Emu Field, Emu Junction or Emu, it was the site of the Operation Totem pair of nuclear tests conducted by the British government in October 1953.The site was surveyed by Len Beadell in 1952...
- Mamungari Conservation Park
- Maralinga, South AustraliaMaralinga, South AustraliaMaralinga, South Australia in the remote western areas of South Australia was the home of the Maralinga Tjarutja, a southern Pitjantjatjara Indigenous Australian people. Maralinga was the site of the secret British nuclear tests in the 1950s. The site measures about 3,300 km² in area...
- British nuclear tests at MaralingaBritish nuclear tests at MaralingaBritish nuclear tests at Maralinga occurred between 1955 and 1963 at the Maralinga site, part of the Woomera Prohibited Area, in South Australia. A total of seven major nuclear tests were performed, with approximate yields ranging from 1 to 27 kilotons of TNT equivalent...
- Woomera Prohibited Area
- DownwindersDownwindersDownwinders refers to individuals and communities who are exposed to radioactive contamination or nuclear fallout from atmospheric or underground nuclear weapons testing, and nuclear accidents...