Amata

Amata community is situated in the magnificent Musgrave Ranges in South Australia's far North West, approximately 200 km south east of Uluru (Yulara NT). Amata is a small aboriginal community of approximately 500 people who hold strong links to traditional culture and language (Pitjantjatjara). The people decided to join the Outback Pride project network and build a bush food garden in the centre of town.

The purpose of the garden has been to provide a ready supply of fresh bush foods for community consumption, with any surplus being sold into the Outback Pride supply chain. Since the beginning of the project at Amata, the people have shown great pride in their work, resulting in a beautifully maintained and successful enterprise.

The project construction at Amata has been supported by CDEP, the community employment program. Horticultural training for participants is supported by Regional TAFE SA. The project is funded by the Department of Premier and Cabinet SA - Special Projects Unit, and has been coordinated and managed by Mike and Gayle Quarmby.

Community health, training and positive activity have been the strengths of the Outback Pride project in Amata. The bushfoods grown there are; Desert Raisins (Kampurarpa), Passion Berries (Wiriny Wirinypa), Marsdenia (Kalkula), Desert Yams, Native Orange (Umpultjai), and Rock Fig (Illi).