Great Lakes College Forster campus is ensuring the Gathang language of the Worimi and Biripi people is never lost following the erection of directional and faculty signage written in local language throughout the school grounds.
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In the late 18th century there were more than 250 Aboriginal languages.
However, many languages became extinct when authorities banned first nation's people from speaking their native tongue up until the 1970s.
In more recent years governments have granted monies towards recovering and preserving these languages.
Great Lakes College Forster campus Aboriginal education officer, Donna Hall explained grant money was put towards a dictionary, amongst other projects.
This has ensured the language gets back into the community, she said.
"And, this is especially important for Koori kids.
"We were lucky there were some recordings (of Gathange) made in the 1960s."
As a means of ensuring the language remains alive within both the Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities, the school has put up signage, Donna said.
More than 20 signs, made by both teachers and Koori students, have been erected throughout the school during the past six months.
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Jeanene Duncan
Jeanene has more than 40 years experience as a regional and rural journalist starting at The Land Newspaper. She also worked for Stock Journal Newspaper (SA), McPherson, Fairfax newspapers and Rural Press, and contributed to various magazines.
Jeanene has more than 40 years experience as a regional and rural journalist starting at The Land Newspaper. She also worked for Stock Journal Newspaper (SA), McPherson, Fairfax newspapers and Rural Press, and contributed to various magazines.
