Aboriginal Education Consultative Group Inc. (AECG)
The NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group Inc. is a not for profit Aboriginal organisation that provides advice on all matters relevant to education and training with the mandate that this advice represents the Aboriginal community viewpoint.
The NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group Inc. promotes respect, empower-ment and self-determination and believes the process of collaborative consultation is integral to equal partnership and is fundamental to the achievement of equality.
The NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group Inc. advocates cultural affirmation, integrity and the pursuit of equality to ensure that the unique and diverse identity of Aboriginal students is recognised and valued.
The primary role of the NSW AECG Inc. is to promote active participation by Aboriginal people in the consultative and decision making process of education and training related matters.
The AECG invites all parents, grandparents and carers of Aboriginal school children to attend the Blue Mountains AECG Meetings. Please see the Events Calendar on the Springwood Public School Website for upcoming dates.
Please join in and be part of the conversation about what's happening in our local schools to support Aboriginal students and promote learning about Aboriginal culture.
Ngarra Wingarru Blue Mountains AECG
Warami
The dates and locations or the 2025 AECG meetings are as follows:
Blue Mountains Ngarra Wingarru
All meetings are 4.00pm arrival for a 4.30pm start
Term 1 Week 5 27 February Katoomba High School
Term 2 Week 5 29 May Lawson Public School
Term 3 Week 5 21 August Faulconbridge Public School
Term 4 Week 2 (AGM) 24 October Katoomba Nth Public School
We look forward to seeing you at our meetings this year.
"Land, sea and sky country are all connected so there is no such thing as 'outer space' - no outside. What we do in one part of Country affects all others"
A quote from the Bawaka Country Group as part of the 'Connection: Breathtaking Stories Through First Nations Art and Music', now on display at the Lume in Melbourne.
Click here for the MEMBERSHIP FORM
Please sign the form and,
1. bring the completed form to the meeting note that payment has been made, OR
2. scan or insert a digital signature making a note that payment has been made and email the form to Charmaine.TULLY2@det.nsw.edu.au
We ask that the membership fee be transferred to our account at the Bendigo Bank Account.
$2 full membership, $1 associate membership.
Full membership is for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Associate membership is for non Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
We are also asking for a $10 donation (so that donations don't have to be collected at meetings throughout the year). You are welcome to donate more if you would like to.
Total to be paid is: $12 (full members) or $11 (associate members)
Please put your name on the transfer.
A/C Name: Blue Mountains AECG
Bendigo Bank
BSB 633000
A/C 149903049
Many thanks.
Yanu
Charmaine Tully
Secretary Blue Mountains Ngarra Wingarru AECG
Bayala | Your Dharug Language Journey Starts Here
Website: https://bayala.net.au/dhalang-language-resources/bayala-pdf/
Dear mudyin (Parents/carers/family),
Welcome to the Dharug Learner’s Guide, a valuable resource for Dharug Yiyura (People) and their allies towards reviving and learning the Dharug language. This guide has been created with the help of hundreds of Dharug community members and their allies who participated in the Dharug Dhalang language lessons and language camps. It is designed to support you on your language journey, providing practical tips, exercises, and insights to help you incorporate Dharug into your daily life.
As a growing community of learner speakers, we aim to encourage the use of Dharug in everyday conversations, fostering a supportive environment for language revival. This guide emphasises the importance of consistent practice, visualisation, and the use of language buddies to enhance your learning experience.
By drawing on archival records and cross-referencing with closely related eastern NSW languages, our community language working party strives to provide accurate and meaningful content. Despite the challenges posed by historical records, we are dedicated to reviving Dharug with integrity and authenticity.
Join us in this ongoing journey to rediscover and celebrate the Dharug language. Stay engaged with our community and look forward to continuous learning and exciting updates as we deepen our understanding and use of Dharug.
Explore the guide and immerse yourself in the richness of the Dharug language.
Bayala is all about connecting our community. It’s a space to learn, share ideas, and celebrate our experiences with the Dharug Dhalang (language). We especially welcome all of the family groups across the Dharug language group of Sydney to join us. Our invitation extends beyond – we want our allies (ngalaya) to feel welcome, too.
A Living Language
Dharug Dhalang (language) is far from a relic of the past. The revival of the Dharug Dhalang language is key to unlocking everyday language and ensuring its transmission to future generations. The dhalang is living and thriving and is expressed and weaved through everyday conversations, storytelling, connecting to country experiences, and cultural practices such as ceremony, song, and dance. We believe everyday dhalang is key to unlocking the deeper forms of Dhalang and strengthening our connection to Ngurra (Country) and each other.
Learning Dharug | Your Guide to Success
Budyari Dharrabarra (Good day/Welcome) to the Dharug Bayadyi Ngurragu (Dharug Speaking Country)! Whether you’re a Dharug Custodian, local resident or just curious about our beautiful dhalang, you’ve come to the right place. We know learning a new language can be challenging, but there are some key things that can make your Dharug learning journey smoother and more successful.
Connecting Language and Culture
Like all languages, the Dharug Dhalang is deeply connected to the culture and traditions of the Dharug Bayadyi Yiyura (Dharug Speaking people). A Dharug language educator/knowledge holder and speaker will weave these elements together, so you’re not just learning words and grammar, but also gaining a deeper understanding of Dharug storying of Country and kin. It’s like learning a song – the melody and lyrics are important, but understanding its story makes it even more meaningful.
Formulaic Learning | Building Blocks for Dharug Conversations
Formulaic learning is like laying the foundation for your Dharug language journey. It involves a structured approach that emphasises memorising and practising essential elements to build a strong base.
Imagine it as the building blocks to assembling the gunya (shelter) for your mudyin (family), sheltering from the elements. When you build a strong gunya it is not all done at once. First you gather the sturdy wadi (branches) as the foundation poles, just like learning the Dharug dhalang (language). It starts with strong words and grammar – like learning “dhiyin” (woman) and “mala” (man). These are the building blocks of your Dharug knowledge.
Next comes the ngarang wadi (smaller branches), durawayi (grasses), dyirang (leaves), woven together to create the walls. It takes practice, just like repeating phrases like “Warimi” (Where from you?) “Budyari nhaady’unya (Good that I see you) and “nhaabawunya” (I will see you later). Each time you say them, you’re weaving the language tighter/stronger and growing your gunya.
It is also like gathering the wadi (sticks) for the guwiyang (fire). Little by little, you build a pile, ready to spark into life. Formulaic learning is like those wadi (sticks). Flashcards and drills are like gathering those small pieces – they might seem little on their own, but together they’ll become the fire of your Dharug frequency, keeping your conversations warm and bright.
Finally, the gunya is built, step by step, a safe haven for the mudyin -family. Just like that, your Dharug learning progresses. You start with greetings, then simple questions, building your knowledge bit by bit. Soon, you’ll be having conversations, as comfortable and warm as a gunya on a cold night. So keep practicing, keep learning, and your Dharug language skills will flourish.
By combining communicative language learning and speaking, culture and a focus on practical language use, your Dharug learning journey will be fun, engaging, and most importantly, relevant. You’ll be learning things you can actually use in everyday situations, making your efforts feel worthwhile and motivating you to keep exploring this rich language.
Thank you for being part of this exciting journey! Whether you’re a Dharug Dhalang ngarradyi Bayadyi (Language learner/speaker) or an ally (ngalaya), you play a vital role in keeping the Dharug language (Dharug Dhalang) strong.
Remember: practice with your gurung (child/children). They love the wholistic learning approach and are keen to teach you what they are learning. Isn’t it wonderful that our Gurung get to teach their mudyin!!
Marri didyarigura (many thanks).
Tracey McManus
On behalf of Jasmine Seymour, Corina Norman and the Dharug community.