Partnering for protection from the impacts of extreme heat events on Wakuthuni Community

Wakuthuni Aboriginal community is situated on East Gurama Country in the Pilbara 32 kilometres from Tom Price, one of the hottest places in Australia. Wakuthuni is a growing community with a population of 110 people, comprising 63 adults over 18 years, 12 primary school students, 6 high school students and 23 children 0-5 years including 5 babies.

There are two main language groups, Yinhawangka and Bunjima. Coolamon Research and Advocacy Centre, the University of Westen Australia and University of Sydney are partnering with Wakuthuni community to attempt to address the challenges of climate change.

The project aimed to:

• Reduce existing risk from heatwaves. co-design community education resources to increase awareness of preventative and adaptive strategies to prevent overheating, i.e. planting trees to maximise shade, maintaining air-conditioning filters to reduce health and fire risks and enhance mental health and social and cultural wellbeing and continue educational and economic activities.
• Minimise future risk from heat-related events in the context of changing climate; build on local Aboriginal knowledge; engage with whole community as a basis for greater response capacity and preparedness to respond to heatwaves.
• Strengthen community-based decision-makers capabilities and information to manage heat extremes through extensive community consultation and engagement with Elders and the two language groups, appointment of a local Aboriginal community coordinator and delivery of three empowerment activities.

Using Aboriginal Participatory Action Research we were:

• Conducting Community-based evidence-gathering of the risks and protective activities related to heat extremes, including heatwaves
• Holding community and stakeholder forums to identify the impacts of heat extremes, and the resources that may manage these events within community
• creating community-based strategies that build community resilience and capacity in the face of future extreme heat events
  

Wakuthuni Project Team 

• Victoria Stroud 
• Aunty Joyce Drummond
• Elly Lukale

Project Partners 

• Nintirri
• IBN Group
• Gumala Aboriginal Corporation
• Ashburton Aboriginal Corporation
• EcoDetection

Project Affiliates

• Dr Nicole Edwards
• Dr Julian Bolleter
• Associate Professor Caitlin Wyrwoll 

We acknowledge and thank these partners for their commitment and support, which enable us to continue this important work with community.

Project Outcomes:

The project brings together Aboriginal knowledge and Western science to explore practical ways to “Beat the Heat. This video was co-designed with Wakuthuni community members and researchers as part of the Wakuthuni Heatwaves Project. 

The video highlights the importance of thermal regulation and provides useful strategies for staying cool and safe during periods of extreme heat.

Acknowledgments

This project has been made possible through the generous support of our funding partners:

• Department of Fire and Emergency Services
• National Disaster Risk Reduction

Newsletters

• Project Newsletter 1 - Dec 2024
• Project Newsletter 2 - May 2025
• Project Newsletter 3 - Aug 2025
• Project Newsletter 4 - Oct 2025

We extend our thanks to Wakuthuni community members and local stakeholders for working in partnership to bring Aboriginal knowledge and Western Science together to “Beat the Heat”