Aboriginal languages

Authentic language learning happens on Country and in Community

On 12 December, 2017 Glen Rhodes, the Bundjalung Aboriginal Language and Culture Nest teacher, talks about his experiences the role. His hope is that at some point all students will be immersed in the language and that Bundjalung will also be heard beyond the classroom, in the Community. The Bundjalung Language and Culture Nest is located in the Northern Rivers area of New South Wales and spans the communities of Lismore, Kyogle, Tweed Heads, Ballina, Evans Head, Woodenbong. Grafton, Tabulam, Coraki, Casino, and Bonalbo.

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How are they going to learn if we don't teach them?

On 10 November, 2017, Auntie Iris Reid talks about her experiences teaching Wiradjuri to students around the Dubbo area of New South Wales. She recounts how, with support and encouragement from her colleagues, she trained to deliver language lessons in schools and, as part of the team, helps provide Wiradjuri learning in the region. The North West Wiradjuri Aboriginal Language and Culture Nest is located in Western New South Wales and has established strong links in communities in Dubbo, Narromine, Peak Hill, Trangie, Gilgandra, Wellington, and Mudgee.

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I just wanted to get our language... out there

On 27 November, 2017 Lorissa Savillle talks about her role as a tutor in the Gumbaynggirr language and culture nest. Stemming from a desire to teach her children Gumbaynggirr she has since gone on to teach the language across eight schools to students from Kindergarten to Year 6. The Gumbaynggirr Aboriginal Language and Culture Nest is located in the Mid North Coast of New South Wales and spans the communities Coffs Harbour, South Grafton, Macksville, Orara, Nambucca Valley, Sawtell, Toormina, Northers Beaches, Dorrigo, Urunga, and Bellingen.

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My hope ...it gives the child back their sense of identity, their sense of belonging to whatever community they come from

On 10 November, 2017 Aunty Di McNaboe talks about her experiences as a teacher at the North West Wiradjuri Aboriginal Language and Culture Nest, and her aspirations for the Wiradjuri language. Aunty Di demonstrates some of the classroom language learning through song. North West Wiradjuri Aboriginal Language and Culture Nest is located in Western New South Wales and has established strong links in communities in Dubbo, Narromine, Peak Hill, Trangie, Gilgandra, Wellington, and Mudgee.

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One of the words I really love... Gunganbuwawala... let's all be friends

On 27 November, 2017 Michael Jarrett, the teacher for the Gumbaynggirr Aboriginal Language and Culture Nest, talks about his experiences in the role. He recounts how as the teacher, he wants to get as many schools as possible involved in the nest, and as there are 6,000 square kilometres of Gumbaynggirr territory, it ‘will be huge.’ He also works with the Muurrbay language centre which teaches local people Gumbaynggirr language and culture. The Gumbaynggirr Aboriginal Language and Culture Nest is located in the Mid North Coast of New South Wales and spans the communities Coffs Harbour, South Grafton, Macksville, Orara, Nambucca Valley, Sawtell, Toormina, Northers Beaches, Dorrigo, Urunga, and Bellingen.

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The students have embraced it with an open heart and mind

On September 19, 2017, Mark McLean, a teacher at Lightning Ridge Central School, talks about his experiences teaching the Yuuwaalaraay language as part of the Gamilaraay/Yuwaalaraay/Yuawaalayaay Aboriginal Language and Culture Nest. With Aunty Brenda McBride he teaches Yuwaalaraay to Year 8 students. He recounts how rewarding it was to hear his students using Yuwaalaraay outside the school grounds in the Community. The Gamilaraay/Yuwaalaraay/Yuawaalayaay Aboriginal Language and Culture Nest includes the New South Wales communities in Lightning Ridge, Walgett, Collarenebri, and Goodooga.

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We've got to keep our language alive

On September 19, 2017, Brenda McBride talks about her experiences as a tutor at the Gamilaraay/Yuwaalaraay/Yuawaalayaay Aboriginal Language and Culture Nest in Lightning Ridge, New South Wales. Although being at the school for just six weeks at the time, she tells us how happy she is to be able to help teach the language to the younger generations, and it makes her proud when she sees her grandchildren learning the language in class. The Gamilaraay/Yuwaalaraay/Yuawaalayaay Aboriginal Language and Culture Nest includes the New South Wales communities in Lightning Ridge, Walgett, Collarenebri, and Goodooga.

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Without the Elders we wouldn't know where our language came from

On 12 December, 2017 Suzanne Freeburn and Shane Caldwell, an Aboriginal Education Officer and a Bundjalung Aboriginal Language and Culture Nest tutor talk about their experiences working in the Nest. They emphasise the role of Elders in the continuation of the language and the interaction between their school and the wider community in language activities. The Bundjalung Language and Culture Nest is located in the Northern Rivers area of New South Wales and spans the communities of Lismore, Kyogle, Tweed Heads, Ballina, Evans Head, Woodenbong. Grafton, Tabulam, Coraki, Casino, and Bonalbo.

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