Boorrumpah Goupong Aboriginal Corporation is a traditional owner corporation formed by Yuggera-Ugarapul people in 2021. SEQILC have had a relationship with the Corporation since their early days after an initial meeting to introduce them to our language work and resources. They have received digital and physical resources and integrated language into their offerings and programs, including:
Local Cultural Camps
Regular School Programs
Men’s and Women’s Groups
Murri Court Assistance
BGAC is based in a community charity space operated by Ipswich City Council and they work with the Department of Education as well as the Commonwealth Home Support Programme. Through BGAC, Yuggera-Ugarapul language has been made accessible to countless community members of all ages. Kevin Anderson, a managing director of BGAC, is also a member of the Yuggera-Ugarapul Native Title Applicant.
SEQILC regularly supports BGAC and their work with language with assistance on linguistics, research, resources, and planning.
SEQILC Linguist Shaun Davies with the Hon Tony Burke MP, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations and Minister for the Arts
Hundreds of Indigenous language representatives gathered for the biennial Puliima Indigenous Language and Technology Conference on Larrakia Country in Darwin earlier this year.
Minister Tony Burke opened the event with the Australian launch of the UNESCO declared International Decade of Indigenous Languages.
The Minister said support for First Nations culture, stories and languages is crucial.
At its heart there’s no such thing as true translation. Every language contains words, ideas, concepts and emotions that only live within that language
Minister Burke
SEQILC Director Rory O’Connor said the International Decade would be recognised through language revival programs throughout south east Queensland.
SEQILC provided assistance for south east Queensland community members to attend the conference.
Yugambeh families recently organised a family playdate to share language with children. Organiser, Shaun Davies, also spoke to parents about what they wanted from the SEQILC to make language easier to teach at home.
They had lots of great suggestions. Phrases that they use often with their children and also aspirations for the future. My favourite was, “I want to be able to rouse on my kids without everyone else knowing”. Language can be useful for all sorts of things.
Not confident using language words? Well start by learning the meanings of your local suburbs and place names. That’s the advice from Uncle Bob Anderson – Quandamooka Elder and one of Queensland’s most recognized Aboriginal statesmen.
Uncle Bob Anderson and his great grandmother Winyeeaba Murriaba Kingal, who was born on Mulgumpin (Moreton Island).
Now in his 94th year, Uncle Bob is delighted that language is front and centre when it comes to being respectful of Indigenous culture.
Language is the voice of the land. People need to be comfortable to use it.
Uncle Bob
Which is where the place names suggestion comes in.
Explore locally and find out what Aboriginal names there are. Woolloongabba – means swirling water, And Pinkenbah – should really be binkenbah – place of the turtle. Everywhere you look you see Aboriginal words. That is a great way to begin to understand language.
Uncle Bob
Like many of his generation, Uncle Bob has survived the times when speaking language meant risking incarceration or separation from family and community.
But he has spent his lifetime working to improve the rights and opportunities for Indigenous people parallel with a distinguished career in the Building Workers’ Industrial Union of Australia.
Along the way he championed youth welfare, social justice, reconciliation and preservation of cultural identity. His work has been recognized at the highest levels throughout Australia, including a Medal of the Order of Australia.
As we sift through photos in his Brisbane home, his image smiles out from photographs alongside dignitaries including South Africa’s first black Prime Minister Nelson Mandela, Irish republican leader Gerry Adams and numerous premiers, mayors and politicians.
But the images of community and family members are the ones that stir the deepest memories.
He points to a picture of his mother and smiles fondly.
“She used to touch me on the cheek and say “millie binung… millie binung”. Translated it literally means eyes and ears. The message for young Bob – watch and listen. “And that’s a good lesson for kids today too,” he concluded.
Presenter: Language workshops in Charleville have heralded a new beginning for Bidjara people. The three-day event celebrated on the banks of the river, giving Bidjara mob of all ages a chance to show off what they’ve learnt.
Trevor Robinson: [Speaking Bidjara]
Reporter (Keira Jenkins): This is the first-time uncle Trevor Robinson has performed a Welcome to Country in Bidjara language, it is something he has picked up in language workshops in Charleville, Queensland and he couldn’t be prouder to be passing it down to the next generation.
Trevor: It’s part of the phase of the revitalisation of our culture and that and we think the most appropriate way to do that is through language because it involves the children as well.
Reporter: Out on the Warrego River, the community celebrates all they’ve learned at the workshop.
Child:Isaac Nahi Ngandina
Reporter: The kids swim, play and take part in dance workshops.
Olivia Robinson: So, I have two little boys, and I want them to grow up and to know their Bidjara culture and to know their Bidjara language and it was amazing to see them out there dancing.
Reporter: But the language lessons are not just for the kids, Elders like Aunty Dawn Willett say their memory’s been jogged and language is coming back to them through these workshops.
Aunty Dawn Willett: When we had this workshop here, two days, some of the words they were saying, it wasn’t sounding good, so I’d repeat it and I’d say it the right way, and I’d say, ‘oh gee, it’s coming back to me’.
Reporter: They’ve been supported by Gamilaraay linguist, Des Crump, to bring these workshops to life, he says it’s been a privilege to be part of Bidjara language revitalisation.
Des Crump: It’s just that sense of pride that real connection for their identity about who they are and where they’re from.
Reporter: There are plans for a language dictionary in the future but for now aunty Dawn says she just wants Bidjara mob to keep up the momentum and keep using the language.
Aunty Dawn: I hope that we keep this going, we got it going and we keep it going.
