Students revoice traditional language

Weilmoringle was one of two NSW public schools invited to perform songs in their local first nations’ languages to mark the launch of a new app at the Museum of Contemporary Arts last night.

Students from Weil performed three songs that they have been learning in Murrawarri with the support of Tom and Kelsey Barker.

The app, developed by the NSW AECG, allows users to explore five NSW languages; Bundjalung, Gamilaraay, Gumbaynggirr, Paakantji and Wiradjuri. Murrawarri, the language of the Weilmoringle community, will soon be added within the app.

Weilmoringle Public School principal Lisa Wright said the school community was “excited and honoured” to work with the NSW AECG on a language revival program. Tom Barker visits the school in the far north-west of the state almost weekly to work with the students.

“For a sleeping language, that really hadn’t been spoken – there’s no fluent speakers around really at all – we’ve been really lucky to have these kids now pointing out things and naming them in language on a regular basis,” Mrs Wright said.

“We’re really, really proud of them.”

Read more on education.nsw.gov.au.