Summary

Kalumburu Community (formerly Drysdale River Mission) is located within the Shire of Wyndham-East Kimberley, in Western Australia. In 2011, the Community had a population of approximately 467 people who belong predominantly to the Wunambal and Kwini language groups. Initially Benedictine monks from New Norcia established a mission at Pago in 1908 but trouble with the water supply caused the missionaries to move to the present site at Kalumburu Pool, in 1937. In 1943, it was the site of a World War II airbase and was attacked by Japanese planes. It was known as Drysdale River Mission until 1951 when it was officially renamed Kalumburu. Subsequently, management of the community has passed into the hands of the Kalumburu Aboriginal corporation however the community retains a priest and several Benedictine nuns.

Related entries

Archival resources

National Centre for Indigenous Genomics

• Correspondence and List of Participants, 1977 - 1984, 02D-43; National Centre for Indigenous Genomics. Details
• Correspondence, Reprints and Names of Study Participants,, 1989 - 1994, XB5-11; National Centre for Indigenous Genomics. Details
• Field Notebook, 1961, FIELD-001; National Centre for Indigenous Genomics. Details
• Field Notes and Survey Notes, 1959, 02D-32; National Centre for Indigenous Genomics. Details
• Historical Slides Kimberley, 01P-02; National Centre for Indigenous Genomics. Details
• Laboratory Results, 1984 - 1996, LAB-03; National Centre for Indigenous Genomics. Details
• Laboratory workbook, Lab-01-041; National Centre for Indigenous Genomics. Details
• Lists of Study Participants, 02D-40; National Centre for Indigenous Genomics. Details
• Photographs, 1961 - 1973, 02P-02; National Centre for Indigenous Genomics. Details