Wangka: Goldfields Aboriginal Language Centre

21/08/2026

The Language Centre is working with Golden Mile Loopline Railway Society Inc - Kalgoorlie Boulder WA Australia to bring you a Bush Dance on Saturday 14 November in the old Kanowna Hall, Loopline Reserve. Get in to book your tickets!

There will be the Nickel and Dimer band, Golden Outback Bootscooters along with drinks and food vans. Oh, and a dessert van!

Tickets $70 each. Come on, hunt out your hat, fish out the flanny, and dust off your boots for a fun night out at the old Kanowna Hall.

Head to Eventbrite to book tickets.

More info 9021 3788 or email [email protected]

21/08/2026

Recently a team from The Kids Research Institute of Australia at Perth's Children Hospital visited GALCAC. The project they are working on is called 'Phage on Country'.

The researchers filled GALCAC staff in on what phage is, and what the project is about.

Amazingly, phage is a superbug that lives in soil and still water, that has been found to act like an antibiotic, in killing germs. The team is working on the production of phage as an alternative to antibiotics. This is a very important new development for kids who are sick with cystic fibrosis, who need to take continuous doses of antibiotics to stay well.

The Phage on Country project acknowledges that First Nations and peoples have known about the healing properties in some soils, for thousands of years, and exploring ways to work alongside Nations to harvest and develop the Phage with due recognition, acknowledgement and processes.

We look forward to future visits from the Phage team, and working on appropriate processes for harvesting the useful superbugs!

GALCAC's CEO, Sue Hanson and Linguist Jackie Gorring meet with the Phage team.

21/08/2026

GALCAC had the privilege of hosting Harvard University linguistic intern, Samantha Kao, over the last 2 weeks. The time flew by so fast, and we thoroughly enjoy Sam's visit! Sam is studying linguistics and neuroscience. A super-capable young lady.

While here, Samantha undertook a short research and wrote a paper, on the outcomes of the Ngadju intergenerational family packs, developed by GALCAC.

The GALCAC Ngadju intergenerational family packs are resources provided in 9 bags over 2 years (one bag every 3 months), for Ngadju families with children aged 0-2 years. The materials took 2 years to develop and provides resources for families to immerse young children in Ngadju language. To register for the packs, contact the Ngadju Native Title PBC as they are distributing the packs.

Samantha's paper will be available very soon on the GALCAC website under the 'Research' menu item.

As always with interns, we were so sad to see Sam go, but she has learnt a lot about linguistics in a grassroots organisation, learnt about Australia's First Nations languages, and we have learnt a lot about what is happening in Harvard Uni in the linguistic course. The GALCAC internships are a super opportunity to foster early career linguists, and for GALCAC staff to engage with what is happening in the discipline in universities.

Thanks so much for visiting Sam!!!

There are 2 more interns due before the end of 2027. It's been a busy year!

19/08/2026

A terrific new resource by NPY women's Organisations, which proves plain English understanding of the laws.

Check out the films made to accompany the resource.

Great stuff, NPY Womens!! !

Wangka Kutjutu is a resource developed to support workers and community members across the Ngaanyatjarra, Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara (NPY) Lands to better understand legal processes and respond to common questions. Anangu may engage with three different legal systems across Western Australia...

08/08/2026

GALCAC team members were thrilled to present Laverton's Janice Scott with her Language Award 2026, while in Laverton recently.

Janice was nominated due to her life-long support for First Nations language, strong advocacy, and even stronger community work.

Congratulations, Janice, a very well deserved recognition and award!

GALCAC's Dave Grubb and Seann Dimer were very honoured to be able to present Janice with her award during a community event. The recognition and award presentations was met with a very loud, hearty round of applause by the event attendees.

Remember, if there is someone you know who should be acknowledged for their support, use, advocacy for, or teaching of First Nations languages, nominate them in April-May each year, for the annual language award held by GALCAC.

More info (08)9021 3788 and [email protected]

04/08/2026

It was a great pleasure to provide Shelley Martin with her grandmother's Language Champion certificate last week. The award recognised Josie Boyle (dec) as a language champion of the Goldfields region. Such well earnt recognition too!

Josie was a life-long champion of her Goldfields First Nations language. She wrote in language, sung in it, created songs, spoke to people about language, and most important of all, passed on her love of language to her descendants.

Many of Josie's books can be purchased at the Goldfields Aboriginal Language Centre. We always make sure there is stock on hand. There are also CDs of songs she wrote and performed, for only $15 available at the Centre.

Thank you Shelley for popping in and picking up the award. You must feel so proud of your Nana!! Her legacy lives on and will for generations thanks to her books and music.