Gumbaynggirr language well learnt

DAVID Prosser's passion for Bowraville Central's planned language centre is infectious.

Learning the local language will be possible for all valley students from next year.

DAVID Prosser’s passion for Bowraville Central’s planned language centre is infectious.

“This is the realisation of the dream of the five original elders who started Muurrbay Language Centre 25 years ago,” Mr Prosser said.

“Now we have a dictionary, an approved curriculum and (soon) a multi-million dollar resource centre. From next year it will be possible to teach Gumbaynggirr to indigenous and non-indigenous students throughout the valley from K to Year 10.”

Gumbaynggirr has been a forerunner in indigenous language revival, one of 70 throughout NSW and now students are learning the Gumbaynggirr names for the world around them.

“It’s a nice feeling to learn the language of your hometown,” Year 7 student Olivia Cahill said.

“We’ve been learning the numbers and the stories – I like the one about how the ocean was made.”

Joe Cheeseman spoke of learning the names of ‘where we were found’ – the interpretation of birth.

Mr Prosser said the latest version of the dictionary also included new words for things like computers, television and telephone.

Muurrbay Language Centre linguist Gary Williams said it was a real sign of maturity for Gumbaynggirr to now be available to everyone.

“The centre will open a new phase because we can teach it in so many schools,” Mr Williams said.

The planned ‘connected classroom’ means teachers and students can be linked remotely for classes.

Originally published as Gumbaynggirr language well learnt