Our History

• 2011
  • Desert Knowledge Australia launches Youth Desert Leadership in Alice Springs
  • The Desert Peoples Centre opens the desert hub
• 2010
  • The Desert Peoples Centre is officially opened by then Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard
  • Desert Knowledge Australia launches Alice Springs Desert Leadership Program
  • Ninti One launches the Cooperative Research Centre for Remote Economic Participation
  • The new headquarters for CSIRO Alice Springs are officially opened
     

   

   

• 2009
  • Extensions to Business and Innovation Centre are built to house CSIRO, Sustainable Ecosystems, Alice Springs.
  • Stage One of the Desert Peoples Centre is completed. Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education and the Centre for Appropriate Technology move onto site.
  • Desert Knowledge Australia Outback Business Networks is launched.
     

   

• 2008
  • Desert Peoples Centre begins construction
  • Desert Knowledge Australia Solar Centre officially opened
  • Desert Knowledge Australia launches remoteFOCUS prospectus
• 2007
  • Desert Knowledge Business and Innovation Centre opens and becomes home to Desert Knowledge Australia and the Desert Knowledge Cooperative Research Centre.
• 2006
  • Full board of Desert Knowledge Australia established with The Hon. Fred Chaney AO as Chair.
  • Desert Knowledge Australia launches the Indigenous Education and Employment Taskforce.
• 2004
  • Desert Knowledge Australia launches the Linked Business Networks Project - the pilot project for Outback Business Networks.
• 2003
  • Desert Knowledge Australia commences as a Statutory Corporation under the Desert Knowledge Australia Act.
• 2002
  • First Desert Knowledge Symposium held.
  • Desert Knowledge Australia Cool Community (now desertSMART COOLmob) is launched.
• 2001
  • Group becomes Desert Knowledge Australia.
• 2000
  • Desert Knowledge Consortium and Alice in Ten Arid Zone Project merge to form the Desert Knowledge Project.
  • Desert Knowledge Project conceptualises a Desert Knowledge Precinct.
  • Chief Minister of the Northern Territory approves development of a concept plan.
• 1999
  • Desert Knowledge Consortium is formed
  • Desert Knowledge Consortium prospectus is released
• 1998
  • Alice in Ten Arid Zone Project begins

   

• 1997
  • Alice in Ten committee introduce Knowledge Economy proposal