Nyirripi is a community in the Southern Tanami Ward of the
Central Desert Region
The Central Desert Region is a local government area of the Northern Territory, Australia, administered by the Central Desert Regional Council (formerly Central Desert Shire). The council's main towns are Ti-Tree, Yuendumu, and Lajamanu. Th ...
in the
Northern Territory
The Northern Territory (commonly abbreviated as NT; formally the Northern Territory of Australia) is an states and territories of Australia, Australian territory in the central and central northern regions of Australia. The Northern Territory ...
of
Australia
Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...
. The town is approximately 440 kilometres from
Alice Springs
Alice Springs ( aer, Mparntwe) is the third-largest town in the Northern Territory of Australia. Known as Stuart until 31 August 1933, the name Alice Springs was given by surveyor William Whitfield Mills after Alice, Lady Todd (''née'' Al ...
, with the drive taking 5 to 6 hours. As of 2021, the town's population was 251 people.
History
Nyirripi was first established in the late 1970s, when several families including Tiger Japaljari Morris, Charlie Jampinjinpas, Molly Napurula Martins, Phylis Napurula, Leo Japurula and others decided to leave the pressures of the growing population of
Yuendumu
Yuendumu is a town in the Northern Territory of Australia, northwest of Alice Springs on the Tanami Road, within the Central Desert Region local government area. It ranks as one of the larger remote communities in central Australia, and has a t ...
. Two men were sent into town to secure a
pastor
A pastor (abbreviated as "Pr" or "Ptr" , or "Ps" ) is the leader of a Christian congregation who also gives advice and counsel to people from the community or congregation. In Lutheranism, Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, Oriental Orthodoxy and ...
for the
outstation and Pastor John Henwood returned with them to take up ministry. The community was officially recognised as an outstation after the former
Federal Minister for Aboriginal Affairs was pressed in a public forum by community members to define the population numbers that would constitute an outstation. This enabled the securing of much needed funds for infrastructure.
Later the community was recognised as a major community and campaigned for resources, which led to the construction of a school. In 1985, the community became incorporated under the ''Aboriginal Council Association Act''.
Description
Nyirripi is located close to the southern and south western extent of traditionally owned Warlpiri land on the Yunkanjini
Aboriginal Land Trust
In Australia, an Aboriginal land trust (ALT) is a type of non-profit organisation that holds the freehold title to an area of land on behalf of a community of Aboriginal Australians. The land has been legally granted to a community by the governme ...
between
Newhaven and
Mount Doreen Pastoral Properties.
Although still predominantly a Warlpiri-speaking community, there are a number of
Luritja/Kukatja speakers.
Governance
The Nyirripi Community Government Council is the local governing body and has 13 members who are elected annually. The Local Government Shire is the Central Desert Shire, Southern Tanami Ward.
Infrastructure and Community Life
The community has:
* Community Hall
* Pensioner Units
* BRACS (radio)
* Community Owned Store – Pre-packed and fresh food is available as well as clothing, pharmaceuticals, hardware, white goods, blankets, furnishing and sporting goods.
* Council office
* United Pentecostal Church
* Workshop
* Health Centre
* School
* Meals-on-wheels
* Airstrip
* Morgue
* Power station
* 2 ablution blocks
* Flat for visitors
* Public phones
* Sports oval
References
Notes
Citations
{{authority control
Towns in the Northern Territory
Central Desert Region
Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory