Bundjalung Workshops (14th-15th May 2015)

Muurrbay hosted a Bundjalung workshop in Grafton from the 14th -15th May 2015.     There were many Elders and young community members in attendance, who were very interested in language revitalisation and learning more of the Bundjalung tongue. Poppy Harry Walker and Uncle Charles Moran were the highlights of the day with their in depth and dramatic presentation. With the guidance and support from Muurrbay Aboriginal Language Cent...

The Wollatuka Institute- University of Newcastle

Muurrbay held a language workshop for our Southern languages in April 2015, Wollatuka hosted us at their beautiful venue at the University of Newcastle. Over thirty five people attended over the two days. Aboriginal language workers and teachers from many language groups attended and shared their ideas on language revitalisation and teaching, including: Gumbaynggirr, Dhanggati, Gathang, Hunter River-Lake Macquarie (Awabakal- Wonnarua) and Darkinyung. ...

Sharing Bundjalung language through photographs

From the ABC Open website: During NAIDOC week this year, ABC Open Producer Jeff Licence spent a day in Ballina on the NSW North Coast connecting with indigenous language teacher Rick Cook, the Bundjalung language and the local community.  Jeff held an ABC Open Mother Tongue stall, inviting anyone who came along to choose a Bundjalung word, write it on a blackboard with the English translation and pose for a photograph.  Alongside the Photographs, Rick C...

Visit from Yolngu ladies

Muurrbay Chairperson Shaa Smith introduced Merrkiyawuy Ganambarr and Djawundil Maymuru, two Yolngu ladies to Muurrbay. They had attended the recent Bellingen Writers festival to launch their book "Welcome to My Country.They sat in on a language class and there was a wonderful exchange of stories, songs, and support.  They were interested to learn more about language revitalisation in NSW and they found it ironic that while support for two way or bilingual ...

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. ...