It’s been a long-time dream for a lot of people interested in the process of bringing the Gathang language back, said course coordinator Mandy Davis. “It’s another connection with our culture and who we are. Language has been missing for so many years.”

The language was spoken by tribes along the mid-north coast, the Worimi in Great Lakes and Biripi tribes in Taree, Gloucester and Port Macquarie; south to the Hunter River in Newcastle and north to Telegraph Point.

A class of 16 local residents is currently studying the language in a year-long fortnightly course conducted by Mandy Davis, Jye Simon and Jaycent Davis who completed a similar course at Taree TAFE last year.

“It’s great for the community, great for our area, bringing the culture back,” said teacher Jye Simon.

Participants will receive the qualification of Certificate 1 in Language upon completion of the course.

The course has been made possible in part by the compilation and publication in 2010 of a dictionary of the language by linguist Amanda Lissarrague. The seminal text standardises both the spelling and pronunciation of words. The text will serve as an invaluable addition to the study and preservation of Aboriginal culture in the Great Lakes area.

Mandy Davis, who was instrumental in introducing the course at the Tuncurry campus, said she hoped everyone in the Aboriginal community will take advantage of the course because it’s a great laugh too. The next step will be getting it into the schools.