NSW Aboriginal Languages programs receive record funding, as Aboriginal Languages Week dates and ambassadors announced
A record $4.9 million in grant funding has been received for community-led Aboriginal Language projects, delivering on the commitment to celebrate, revitalise and strengthen Aboriginal Languages in NSW.
The NSW Aboriginal Languages Trust grants will support 79 Aboriginal Community led initiatives, events and scholarships across NSW. The range of programs reflects the diversity and varying needs of NSW Aboriginal communities in revitalising and reclaiming their languages.
NSW remains the only jurisdiction in Australia to enact legislation that recognises the importance of Aboriginal languages and establishes mechanisms for a focused investment in their revitalisation. More than 35 Aboriginal languages are spoken throughout NSW.
Throughout the 2024/25 financial year, the NSW Aboriginal Languages Trust delivered five types of grant programs, from scholarships to Aboriginal Languages Week activations, to revitalise, sustain and grow Aboriginal languages.
Across the five programs, some of the successful recipients include:
- Mudyala Aboriginal Corporation, utilised NSW Aboriginal Languages Week grant funding for two language events - Angwirri ngarraanga Yaggirr (Speak Hear Yaygirr), which engaged primary school students and the wider community in a range of Yaygirr learning activities, during Aboriginal Languages Week 2024.
- Dylan Berger, a recipient of the NSW Aboriginal Languages Educational Scholarship gathered evidence and conducted interviews with Gumbaynggirr language practitioners as part of his PhD thesis exploring relationships between language and community.
- The Returning Aboriginal Corporation will use funding from the NSW Languages Revival Program to deliver the Bundjalung Community Language Lessons Program giving fortnightly language lessons to community members on country.
- Moogahlin Performing Arts Inc, successful under the Aboriginal Languages Growth Funding Program, will deliver a Women’s Business Language Ngurra - Murrawarri, Ngemba, Yuwaalaraay – a tri-nations cultural language exchange program in the Brewarrina local government area.
- Woganurra Aboriginal Corporation, successful under the Aboriginal Languages Sector Development Program, will continue to strengthen the development and continuity of the growing business operations for Woganurra Aboriginal Corporation, which includes continued employment opportunities for five language workers.
NSW Aboriginal Languages Week 2025
The Trust has also announced dates and theme of NSW Aboriginal Languages Week that will run from Sunday 19 October to Sunday 26 October 2025.
This year’s theme ‘Let Our Voices Fly’ will celebrate and honour the ongoing work of communities speaking Aboriginal languages.
Aboriginal Languages Week also celebrates the innovative and powerful ways languages are being revitalised and passed on across generations through culture, education and community leadership.
South Sydney Rabbitohs NRL star Cody Walker (Bundjalung/Yuin) and journalist and former Channel 9 presenter Brooke Boney (Gamilaroi) will lead the celebrations as ambassadors for NSW Aboriginal Languages Week.
At the heart of this year’s celebrations is a free, family-friendly Aboriginal Languages Festival to be held at Carriageworks in Eveleigh, Sydney on Sunday 19 October 2025.
The festival will feature a line-up of Aboriginal musicians, a corroboree and language lessons, as well as market stalls, craft workshops, and activities for children.
NSW Aboriginal Languages Trust Chair Catherine Trindall said:
“NSW Aboriginal Languages Week is not just a week for celebration, it is a call-to-action, to listen, learn and revitalise the future of our languages.
“The Aboriginal Languages Week Festival on 19 October is an open invitation to the whole NSW community to listen, learn, and celebrate our state’s first languages.”
Journalist and NSW Aboriginal Languages Week ambassador Brooke Boney said:
“It’s so special to see more people speaking and hearing Aboriginal languages. As an ambassador for Languages Week, I’m honoured to be on my own language journey and to help shine a light on the richness of our languages and the determination of our old people who kept them strong for our benefit.”
South Sydney Rabbitohs NRL player and NSW Aboriginal Languages Week ambassador Cody Walker said:
“Our language is who we are. It connects us to our country and to each other. I’m proud to be an ambassador for Aboriginal Languages Week, especially because our young mob need to hear and see their language spoken and celebrated. It builds pride and strength in who they are.”
MEDIA: Summeet Seyan | NSW Aboriginal Languages Trust | 0424 348 477