Photo from K.L.R.C

Photo: Gurndu bunggu nyung nyawa barlabi ago nyinan This gall rows on the bloodwood tree. (Jaru)

FATSIL chairperson Elizabeth Smith will give a presentation at the National Languages and Literacy Institute Language Expo '96, during a seminar on Issues in Indigenous Languages.

The Western Australian Group Training - Aboriginal Employment Career Development Strategy was implemented in April 1995, with Lester Coyne appointed as State Coordinator. The strategy aims to increase the access by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people into permanent employment. In its first year of operation, the scheme has already achieved second year targets.

from Eliza Hill 

Consultants and employees of Language Centres are currently working on Stage 1 of the Needs Survey of Community Languages. The intention of the Survey is to gather accurate information on the status of Indigenous languages and the current language maintenance activity which supports them.

It was in the early 1960's that the little Catholic Church was built at the Nambucca Heads Reserve. Nestled on the side of a hill within sight of the Nambucca River, the church for many years provided a spiritual focus for the people in the local Aboriginal Community.

In 1984 a group of six Gumbaynggirr elders gathered together at Kempsey to discuss concerns they felt over the loss of their language With the encouragement, of Christian Brother Steve Morelli. they began recording the language and taking it out to schools For many of the children this was the first time they had heard the indigenous Language spoken.

The final date for response to ATSIC's Cultural Policy framework has been set at October 31st to allow more time for contribution from all interested parties. From the preamble to the Policy comes this explanation of the aims and objectives. "This Framework will, through consultation with communities and stakeholder groups, provide a co-ordinated approach to the immense wealth and diversity of our indigenous cultural resources and provide a way of balancing the needs of industry development, job generation, and training, with the imperatives of maintenance, protection and integrity of our cultural heritage, property and values.

• On a computer screen you see pictures of four familiar objects; a dog, a fire, a baby and the sun.
• At the top of the screen is the language word which corresponds with one of them.
• You click on to the picture you think represents the word shown.
• The buzzer sounds. Wrong. You try another picture.
• Buzzer again .. but wait!! Before you start to feel like the defeated champ on Sale of the Century, help arrives. A visual prompt sets you on the right track.
• Your third attempt is of course, correct.
• Confirming your cleverness you hear the recorded voice of one of your local elders repeating the correct answer in her own language.

These are the bones of language educational software which could prove a stimulating addition to the language tools available.

Sharon Larkins

Traditional Owner Mparntwe (Alice Springs)

Photo: Sharon Larkins is a FATSIL delegate and Curriculum Coordinator of Yipirinya School

Use this newsletter to let others know about your unique locality, special project s you may be considering or programmes already in place in your region.

Response to the first Voice of the Land has been fantastic, and shows people are extremely keen to learn and share information on language work.

So don't, be shy, hop in and become a feature.

Mervyn Street and Ronnie Green

The collection entitled Ward'birra Gainba Warag-goo - They Got Water for Work was put together by Ronnie Green from Mangkaja Arts Resource Agency and presented a story in Gooniyandi language to accompany each item in the catalogue.

As a FATSIL delegate for the North of Western Australia. June Oscar is able to indulge her passion for languages while keeping up to date with projects around the country.

Members of Ngukulmungatt Kangka Leman

Photo: Bottom row (L to R): Clara Reid, Thelma Burke, bath Johnston, Fanny Lanley. Centre row (L to R): Teddy Moon, Margaret Hills, Ellen Richards, Douglas Burke. Top row (L to R): Cecil Goodman, Roxanne Thomas, Kenneth Jacob (Snr.)

Below is a copy of a letter which Susan Butler, Executive Editor of the Macquarie Dictionary has asked be brought to the attention of linguists and language workers.

Macquarie Dictionary wishes to update its coverage of Aboriginal English for the third edition of the dictionary to be published late 1997.

FATSIL's Annual General Meeting will be held in Canberra on April 9th, 10th and 11th

Elizabeth Smith
Chairperson
P.O Box 1652
Port Adelaide
SA 5015
08 244 5644
08 244 5606 (fax)

National Place Names Conference
July 16th Melbourne
Cost $25
Contact - Bill Noble
2/1 Aaron Place Wahroonga NSW 2076
Phone or Fax 02 4873909