Pools have been opened at schools in Pipalyatjara, Amata and Yalata on the Aṉangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands, with a pool at Pukatja (Ernabella) opened on Saturday.

The State Government is also working swiftly to re-open the pool at Mimili for community use, following a successful opening for school use during term 4, which has since been impacted by a plumbing issue.

In areas where there are few formal recreational facilities and temperatures regularly in the 40s over the summer months, swimming pools are a valuable and popular community asset.

Funding is provided by the Attorney-General’s Department – Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation to manage pools built in Anangu communities, but some pools have been closed due to challenges recruiting appropriately trained people to SA’s most remote communities and maintenance issues.

The Minister for Education, Training and Skills requested a program of work this year through the Department for Education to support site leaders to ensure as many pools as possible were open over the summer this year.

A targeted recruitment campaign was undertaken to recruit and appoint suitable pool managers with appropriate operator and lifeguard qualifications.

Students at Kaltjiti (Fregon), Indulkana and Kenmore Park will be able to travel to Mimili to use the swimming pool facilities, while students at Murputja travel to Pipalyatjara.

As well as providing every pool with new rescue and safety equipment, the department’s Water Safety program for school students, which has been delivered to students on the APY Lands in partnership with Surf Lifesaving SA for over 20 years, has also been provided at Mimili and Amata.

Infrastructure works such as fencing, have also been installed to ensure safety.