Throughout COVID lockdowns, regular meetings continued for Eden Language Group to ensure the continuity of language.

The group has been exploring ancient Aboriginal language together for some years, a fun and empowering experience for those who may not have an everyday context in which to explore it otherwise.

South Coast Language as Spoken by Elders was initially put together using audio recordings of Elders speaking their language, then used to facilitate the creation of a database of words.

Fifty-four Elders from as far north as La Perouse all the way to Victoria were interviewed to inform the research and over 1400 words are now entered in the database, held in an archive at Jigamy Farm.

On Monday, November 29, the group had their final session for the year with approximately 20 people turning up.

They began by introducing themselves with names chosen in the traditional language, encouraged as a way of claiming an identity.

Chosen names might reflect something the individual related to like an animal or attribute, or simply be playing around with ideas in a poetic or humorous way, in keeping with how Aboriginal languages are spoken.

A short 'Yanda Biratj', translated as 'walk and talk' was then undertaken as part of the last session for 2021, combining place, experience and interaction to develop meaningful and memorable exchanges in language as they moved along the culture walk at Jigamy.

The group paused regularly, naming their observations with the traditional words, identifying and tasting bushfoods such as 'geebang' and 'gorang gorang', and discussing the use of 'ganyi' (fire), 'ganya' (camp) and 'kurija' (bark canoe).

Nathan Lygon has been involved with the group since 2016 and said it allowed language to be held strongly in the community.

"It's not an exact language, it's from a big mixture, listening and speaking is both fun and poetic," Nathan said.

"It brings a lot of joy when speaking it every day."

Alison Simpson, manager of cultural inclusion at Twofold Aboriginal Corporation, said the program was being supported at board level for all staff.

"We want to be an Aboriginal corporation that walks its talk and is culturally competent, not just knowing the history but also using it," Alison said.

The group created a space for strengthening identity, with many community members and students who participate then encouraged to teach those around them, a model that has been used at Eden Public School.

"It allows kids to learn and empowers them to teach, which in course breaks down cultural barriers and creates a better space in the school ground generally," Alison said.

Nathan said the process of the community-driven classes had been a beautiful opportunity for students to be paired with Aunties, Uncles and Grandparents.

"It's a wonderful direction. Language immersion is great for team building, and we all deserve to have a bit of fun," he said.

"Hopefully the Elders can rest a bit easier knowing we are doing this."

Uncle Ossie Cruse was one of the first people involved in the project and said language had to be used every day, otherwise it was lost.

"Kids pick it up quickly, it's great there is an interest in maintaining the language," Uncle Ossie said.

Endorsed by the community to teach the language to students at Rocky Hall preschool, Jodie Dickinson has been working closely with Nathan for the last seven years to do so, while also sharing cultural activities with the young children as a part of their curriculum.

The children, some as young as two and a half, adopt words from the language as part of their vocabulary, also taking on the identity of a chosen native animal and assuming responsibility for its habitat.

"Why would you not connect with the country you live in?" Jodie said.

"It then flows on from an environmental, sustainability and ecological perspective - if you belong to it, you are then responsible for it also.

"The identity is seamless, it stays with you because it is a part of you," Jodie said.

Alison said she was hopeful restrictions eased further in 2022 and the group could get back to implementing the language classes, "teaching the students and young people the language and the local teachers as well".

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