History:The CLC began negotiations on behalf of the Lynch, McMillan, Rice and Turner families in 1975 and in the early 1980's lodged land claims on nearby stock routes and reserves.

The families formed the Mpweringe Arnapipe Council in 1984 and moved out of Alice Springs to set up camps on a stock route and reserves near Yambah Station and demonstrate their commitment to their traditional country. Because they had no 'legal' land title, government departments refused to provide even the most basic services, ande even drinking water had to be carted by truck from Alice Springs and stored in recycled forty-four gallon drums.

Sandy Bore is a small outstation that belongs to Eastern Arrernte families in the Arnapipe region. Arnapipe is the name given to the country surrounding Sandy Bore, Black Tank and Corkwood Bore. The Turner family originally lived in a tin shed for 2 years on their country with 44 galloon drum of water being sent out each fortnight. This was to prove to that they wanted to live on country and that they had a connection to land. Dorothy Turner fought for land rights. The family has been living there for the past 7 years now.

"This is my father's land. That is why I am stopping here. With white man's land, when the station owner dies, his son takes over. It's just the same. This is my father's land and I'm taking over. All we want is our place". Silas Turner (July 1984).

(left and right) Life at Sandy Bore - housing and infrastructure

Residents of Sandy Bore: William Lowoh, Gloria Lowoh, Kenny Martin, Jennifer Neale and children

Family Members: Lena Turner, Carol Turner, Dorothy Turner, Magdalene Marshall, Jennifer Neill, Amelia Turner, Brandon Neale, Kenny Martin, Amanda Turner, Susan Doolan, Michael Marshall, Kathy Turner, James Doolan, , Ruben Martin

Present: Sandy Bore is located off the Altunga tourist road, approximately 85km from Alice Springs. The traditional owners of the country have permanently lived at Sandy Bore for the past 7 years with many of their family members. The population of the community is approximately 25 people. The outstation has 4 houses which all have connections to solar power, a diesel generator and water from 2 bores.

There are 2 CDEP workers at Sandy Bore: Steven Turner and Amelia Turner.

Bush Mob: (Carol Turner to fill in the details)

Power Shed at Sandy Bore: Power is a combination of solar and diesel generator

Future: The Sandy Bore residents have many ideas and hopes for the future. The most important aspect is getting all family back to homeland. They believe the best way to do this is through providing jobs and services for the community. Amelia Turner says, “If you don’t have services, people won’t come back to country. The children need something to do.”

Housing: The first accomodation at Sandy Bore was tin sheds. There are now 4 houses on the homeland.

Services: Communication: UHF radio, telephone – Sandy Bore is currently not serviced by a telephone and the residents feel there is a lack of communication services. Despite, their relatively close distance to Alice Springs, the residents feel isolated from family, towns activities and current polictical issues. Sandy Bore residents are particularly interested in UHF radio network or telephone for the households.

Training: They would like to see training initiatives offered to young people. Kenny Martin, resident of Sandy Bore says “Our people are interested in cars. It would be really beneficial for them to do a course in mechanics”.

Men at Sandy Bore are interested in Mechanics Training

Cross Cultural Camps: Many of the residents of Sandy Bore would like to set up a business to host students from city to come out and live in the bush and learn about Eastern Arrernte culture, traditions and importance of country.

Art: There are many talented artists at Sandy Bore. They produce works which are sold at Irrkerlantye Arts, see http://www.irrkerlantyearts.com/.

School: The residents would like to see a school facility for the children of Sandy Bore. Currently, most families with children must live in town or children are picked up from outstations. The school could provide a service for all the children in the area, including Black Tank, Corkwood Bore and Sandy Bore children.