ABOUT US
HOME > ABOUT US
Spinifex Health Service is our business name for an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service managed by Paupiyala Tjarutja Aboriginal Corporation (PTAC) in the remote community of Tjuntjuntjara on the Spinifex Lands. Spinifex Health is one of a series of business names owned by PTAC and forms part of the Corporation’s commitment to providing services to the community
​
The Tjuntjuntjara community is located 68O km north east of Kalgoorlie-Boulder, in the Great Victoria Desert region of Western Australia. Tjuntjuntjara is situated within the Shire of Menzies, an eight hour drive from Kalgoorlie-Boulder, dependent on road conditions.
Paupiyala Tjarutja Aboriginal Corporation (PTAC), is a not-for-profit organisation responsible for the administration and management of Tjuntjuntjara; a close-knit community with a population of around 150 people. The local Anangu people are also known as Spinifex People. They are the traditional custodians of the Spinifex Native Title Determination Area, an area of 55,000 square kilometres.
Since establishing Tjuntjuntjara in traditional homelands in 1989, the community has steadily grown, whilst maintaining a focus on traditional cultural cycles of desert life. People from across the western desert regions with traditional attachment to the Spinifex Lands, have returned to live at Tjuntjuntjara. Despite isolation and remoteness, the Spinifex People's resilience and determination to live in country and provide strong local governance, makes this a unique community.
Tjuntjuntjara community is alcohol free. World-renowned artists live here and paint in the separately incorporated Spinifex Arts Centre. Cultural business and other events can attract several hundred visitors to the community at a time.
​
Spinifex Health Service delivers a comprehensive primary health service supported by visiting clinicians and allied health practitioners.
​
Our staff consist of Remote Area Nurses, Aboriginal Health Practitioners and Workers, a Medical Director, a health service manager, and various medical specialists and Allied Health staff who visit courtesy of the Kakarrara Wilurarra Health Alliance (KWHA).
​
We are always interested in hearing from experienced people, especially Anangu, who may be interested in working here with us.
​
Our Team
Manager
​
Aged care
​
Administration
Mandie Gabbedy
Clinical
Medical Director:
Dr Alex Hope
Aboriginal Health Practitioner
Michael Stevens
​
Remote Area Nurses:
Finance
Desert Support Services:
​
​
Affiliated
Pila Nguru Aboriginal Corporation General Manager:
Helen Langley
Kakarrara Wilurarra Health Alliance
Medical Director:
Dr Md Moniruzzaman