UNCLE Micklo Jarrett is spreading the word on Aboriginal culture as the language leader launches into a new season of Gumbaynggirr Aboriginal Language and Culture Community Classes.

The Community Classes are funded by the NSW Department of Education to educate adults, after an assessment report revealed that, while hundreds of local children are receiving lessons in the Gumbaynggirr language, their parents, carers and the adults around them are not.

Advertise with News of The Area today.
It’s worth it for your business.
Message us.
Phone us – (02) 4981 8882.
Email us – media@newsofthearea.com.au

“Back in 2014 when Gumbaynggirr Aboriginal Language Nest was created I was employed as Aboriginal Language and Culture teacher and my job was to teach the teachers to facilitate the language classes.

“When we had the report on how the Language Nest was going, it showed that children were going home and using their new language and their parents didn’t know what they were saying.

“It was decided we need to teach the adults how to speak Gumbaynggirr with their children.

“The Department of Education has allocated money and so now we have four adult Community Language Classes running, which in turn support the children’s learning if they can speak it at home.”

With the growth of the Community Classes, Uncle Micklo is looking for more adults to become Gumbaynggirr language educators, both in schools for the children and for the adult Community Classes.

“We need some really enthusiastic, passionate people to spread the language of the Gumbaynggirr people, not only in schools but in the community.”

The brand new language class will be held at the NSW AECG Office at 2/22 Bowra St, Nambucca Heads every Tuesday from 10:00am to 12:00pm.

For more information contact Micklo Jarrett on 0457 063 698 or email michael.jarrett@detdet.nsw.edu.au.

By Andrea FERRARI