A swimming pool in one of the nation's most remote communities is a "life-changing" addition for locals, who are embracing relief from the scorching desert heat they endure each summer.
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The pool at Pukatja (Ernabella), on the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands in South Australia's Far North, opened on Saturday and was quickly filled with overjoyed children.
The community had been fighting for more than 20 years to have a pool built, Ernabella Anangu School coordinator Casey Colin-Kenny said.
"I think it just changes our lives, because there's not a lot of options to go swimming in the desert, so that helps with the heat," he said, noting the temperature was often above 40C.
"As one of the community members and as a leader at the school, it makes me proud to see the kids enjoying it and being excited when swimming."
Upgrades, new staff and new rescue and safety equipment have also allowed existing pools at other APY Lands communities - at Pipalyatjara, Amata and Yalata - to open.
Education Minister Blair Boyer had requested support for site leaders to ensure as many pools as possible were open over summer, leading to a recruitment campaign for pool managers.
"Having visited these communities, I know that the swimming pools provide so much value to the locals, as well as the regions, with students from other APY Lands communities able to visit these pools to have swimming lessons and enjoy a splash in the pool," Mr Boyer said.
Mr Colin-Kenny said there were about 200 children in the community's population of 600-800 people.
"Seeing the excitement in the photos that are sent through from families and receiving videos and seeing the kids jumping in the pool just made me feel proud and excited for the kids," he said.
"We're going to encourage our staff and the teachers to have weekly swimming lessons with the kids."
The state government said it was working to quickly rectify a plumbing issue so it could reopen the pool at Mimili for community use, following a successful opening for school use during term four.
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.
The Education 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 more than 20 years, has also been provided at Mimili and Amata.
Australian Associated Press
