New media funding to support Bundjalung language groups

Bundjalung language communities will benefit from increased funding from the Indigenous Language Support Program via its New Media funding.  This will allow Muurrbay to engage I.T expert Cat Kutay to digitise language materials such as dictionaries, learning resources and audio materials.  Cat recently met with Muurrbay's new consultant linguist April Miss-Thom, CEO Gary Williams, Gumbaynggirr Language Researcher Dallas Walker and Regional co-ordinator An

Muurrbay visit

Linguist Harold Koch and Native Title Researcher Grace Koch recently visited Muurrbay following the Native Title Conference in Coffs Harbour. Harold has been a great supporter of Muurrbay over the years, in particular by reading early drafts of  Amanda Lissarrague’s Gathang  and Hunter River- Lake Macquarie dictionary-grammars, as well as having valuable input in the Handbook of Aboriginal Languages of NSW and the ACT. They stopped in on the Gumbaynggirr l...

Tyrone Sheather wins the Dreaming Award

BELLINGEN artist Tyrone Sheather's passion for storytelling was celebrated when he received the Dreaming Award at the Australia Council's National Indigenous Arts Awards. Tyrone received the $20,000 prize to go toward the creation of a major piece of work.  The 23-year-old works in a variety of media and is best known locally for his films featuring Gumbaynggirr language. Australia Council board director Lee-Ann Buckskin said Tyrone would now b...

Uncle Martin and Aunty Shaa share their Aboriginal heritage with you through story, ceremony and dance.

Legendary Pacific Coast – Coffs Coast On Saturday 24th May 2014, Sydney Weekender presenter Mel Symons visited the Coffs Coast showcasing the Legendary Pacific Coast.  One of the places visited was the beautiful Galnyamba Friday Creek Retreat.  Here you can learn about Aboriginal culture with Uncle Martin Ballangarry and Aunty Shaa Smith.  To watch the full video clip from the show, please click here to visit the official Sydney Weekender website. &nbs

National Native Title Conference 2014

The 2014 Annual National Native Title Conference, was held on the traditional lands of the Gumbaynggirr people.  This year’s title was ‘Living with Native Title, from the Bush to the Sea’ and the venue was Novotel Pacific Bay Resort in Coffs Harbour.  For further information about the gathering, please click here to visit the official website. ...

‘Different talk for different relatives’… Muurrbay takes part in AIATSIS Indigenous studies conference

The 2014 AIATSIS National Indigenous Studies Conference was held from Wednesday 26th to Friday 28th March at the National Convention Centre in Canberra.  It was a celebration of 50 years since the legislated establishment of the Australian Institute of Aboriginal Studies, now AIATSIS, along with the 50 year anniversary of leadership and excellence in Indigenous studies by AIATSIS. Gary Williams, Dallas Walker and Br Steve have been looking at the special

Old language pulses through renewed computers

New language to pulse through old computers after donation  ...or the title could have been ‘Old language pulses through renewed computers’!  Either way, Muurrbay’s partnership with TAFE's North Coast Computer Project  means that we will have some more computers available for the Aboriginal community in the Nambucca Valley. Language trainees at Muurrbay are learning Gumbaynggirr as well as an introduction to computers that will see them stripping down and ...

Gumbaynggirr language trainees

Eight young people have started an eight week language traineeship at Muurrbay.  They will build on their knowledge of Gumbaynggirr language and stories and learn about many aspects of language revitalisation such as developing children's stories and documenting via film and sound recordings.  Liz Keen for ABC Open will be leading the film workshops and Gumbaynggirr language teacher and researchers will share their knowledge and experience.  They are pictu...