A Jandai child from Stradbroke Island

Eleven young Islanders posed to illustrate names for different parts of the body, in a project organised by the women's group of Goompi. Stradbroke Island lies off the South East Queensland coast, close to Brisbane.

The Jendairwal people inhabited North and South Stradbroke as well as the smaller bay islands and nearby areas of the coastal mainland.

Since I commenced as West Australian delegate to FATSIL in March 1995, it is notable that delegates have effectively established great respect and appreciation of the individual experience, skills and ability of other members.

Chairperson Lester Coyne

West Australian delegate Lester Coyne was elected Chairperson, replacing Elizabeth Smith, who has held the position for the past two years. Liz will continue her involvement on the executive as Vice Chairperson.

Treasurer is Sandra Smith who takes over from fellow Victorian John 'Sandy' Atkinson. John was not able to accept nomination due to other commitments.

Eve Fesl, from Queensland, was elected to the position of Honorary Secretary. Ysola Best was appointed Public Officer.

Vice Chairperson Elizabeth Smith

Treasurer Sandra Smith

Honorary Secretary Eve Fesl

In her role as principal of the Yirrkala Community Education Centre, Nalwarri Ngurruwutthun focuses on maintaining the strength of Yolgnu culture in her area of Arnhem Land.

Yirrkala C.E.C. services a community of approximately 900 people, near the north-eastern tip of Arnhem Land. This bilingual school caters for children who may speak any of 16 dialects in the region.

from Sandra Snug

The Victorian Aboriginal Corporation for Languages are at last forging ahead with their aim of retrieval, recording and restoration of our indigenous languages.

From north Queensland comes the personal story of Renarta Prior, a Birri-Gubba woman who speaks proudly of her role in keeping alive the language of her ancestors.

The Victorian Aboriginal Corporation for Languages is proud to announce the distribution of its most recent publication, "Aboriginal Language Areas in Victoria". This report sets out to identify traditional boundaries as they existed at the time of first contact with Europeans.

You could help us to update our mailing list. If you know of anyone who has changed their address or would like to receive copies of the "Voice of the Land", could you please let us know by returning this form to:

Denise Karpany (Project Officer) and Stephanie Stewart (Research Officer)

Yaitya Warra Wodli Language Centre has a team of six people dedicated to retrieving, maintaining and producing community access to as many language resources as possible. The centre caters for ally) language groups in South Australia.

Yaitya Warra Wodli is Kaurna (Adelaide) language meaning "One's own language place."

I guess he is like others who want to reclaim their language or make a contribution, without having to spend money on phone calls all over the state! Perhaps you can help us to help more people. Contact Stephanie Stewart. Project Research Officer on Ph: 082445644 Fax: 082445660

Love to hear from you!

Rex Stuart

The display by FATSIL drew a great deal of attention, with delegates and state representatives called on to discuss a wide range of topics related to language, history and culture.

Rex Stuart is a FATSIL member who travelled from Marree, 300 km north of Port Augusta to attend the EXPO.

Workers at the Wangkanyi Ngurra Tjurta Aboriginal Corporation Language Centre in Kalgoorlie were recently invited to take part in a cross- cultural workshop with staff at their local K-Mart.

The Aboriginal Curriculum Unit of the NSW Board of studies is currently developing a framework that will provide guidelines and information for the teaching of NSW Indigenous Australian Languages.

The framework will not be a course for teaching Aboriginal languages, but will assist local Aboriginal communities and schools to develop their own courses. These can take their place alongside other Board approved courses in the school curriculum.

This framework is being developed in consultation with Aboriginal communities, government and non- government organisations and interested individuals.

Tell us a story

We will publish some of these pieces in future newsletters.

A spectacular display

News comes from Cairns TAFE of the accreditation in June this year, of three courses for indigenous language workers. The TAFE is offering a choice of either certificate or diploma qualification with course lengths varying from 350 to 1451 hours.

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

Lester Coyne
Chairperson
21 McCabe Street
FREMANTLE WA 6159
09 4308 289
09 4308 607