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ESSENTIAL INFO
If you purchase a ticket for this course, all the information on this page will be emailed to you with your ticket.
👥 Suitable for: Ages 16 and up
📍 Venue: Bellingen High School (mobility aid accessible)
📈 Level: Suitable for all skill levels
⏰ Schedule: Mon–Fri, 9am – 4pm (5 Full-Days)
⚠️ Extra info:
This course includes 2 or 3 possible self-drive/car pool excursions in and around Gumbaynggirr country.
This course includes several opportunities for public performances. Eg, Lunch-time concert, park performance, final concert. Participation is optional for these.
Required skills & experience
This course is suitable for beginners of language learning, music and singing.
An interest in music and singing is recommended, as we will be using these as tools for language learning.
We aim to create a safe space for all levels of experience and confidence.
Supplies that you need to bring to class
Clothing comfortable for movement and walking
Suitable shoes for walking
Note book / journaling book
Pen and pencil
You are welcome to bring musical instruments
COURSE PLAN
Each day will build on knowledge – the aim is not to learn a large amount of language, rather to absorb and embody the language, and feel a sense of immersion and familiarity with the words and places we explore.
DAY ONE
Giinagay! - Hello!
Introduction
Some words and phrases
Mayala buurrgi – move your body
Story time
Singing
Instruments – Clap sticks, drums and shakers
DAY TWO to FOUR
Each day will build on previous ones, with a range of activities, including;
Ways or learning language
Giingana Buurrgi – Guided Relaxation in Gumbaynggirr language
Mayala buurrgi – move your body, warm-ups and stretches
Daalgiyay – Singing and Music
Barraabadi daalgiyay - rhythm and voice
Songwriting
Rehearsing for possible performances
There will also be excursions around Gumbaynggirr Country. We will be going to some different locations to last year, so returning campers have an opportunity to see new places. Excursions will be self-drive / car-pooling, and weather dependent, so we will remain flexible around best places, times and days to go exploring.
Locations to explore include Janingbirriny/Valla, Yurruunga/Urunga and some walking around Baalijin/Bellingen.
DAY FIVE
Getting ready to say goodbye
Closing ceremony
Words, phrases and songs
Singing and Music – rehearsing for evening performance.
COURSE TUTORS
Michael (Micklo) Jarrett
Micklo is a Gumbaynggirr man from Baga Baga (Nambucca). Passionate about his language and culture, he is an inspired educator and trainer of Gumbaynggirr language. Micklo is currently CEO of the Murrbay Language Centre, and continues his vital work with NSW Dept of Education, where he helps co-ordinate language programs throughout Gumbaynggirr Country.
An active part of the region’s cultural community, Micklo has been part of hundreds, if not thousands of events in Gumbaynggirr Country.
Micklo and Luke started working together in 2017, when they decided to co-facilitate a weekly class, teaching Gumbaynggirr language combined with music and singing. This group has been running continuously since then, every Monday at the Bello youth Hub.
Micklo and Luke have held over 400 classes, which is all inclusive, and operates on a contribute as you can basis. This collaboration has led to Micklo and Luke working closely together as songwriters and co-directors of the community singing group Gunganbuwala, and band Gunganbu.
(Gunganbu means “Friend”, Gunganbuwala means “Let’s be Friends”).
Luke Rhodes
Luke is a musician, composer and songwriter, and music teacher and trainer.
As a long-term resident of the Bellingen area, he has been involved in countless events and projects since the late 1980’s, in roles many and varied; performer, event co-ordinator, stage manager, MC, Open Mic host, teacher, tutor and trainer.
Luke completed a BA in Contemporary Music at Southern Cross University in 1998, and has been part of the music team at Chrysalis School for 20 years. He feels privileged to be a student of Gumbaynggirr language, and loves working with groups to bring out the music in any situation.
“Absolutely fabulous experience and a unique opportunity to spend time with Uncle Micklo who is so incredibly generous in all he shares. The music was so much fun and heart filling. Luke and Micklo are a great team! Overall, it was well balanced to meet tge needs of a wide ranging group of people with different levels of experience and understanding of Gumbaynggiir language and culture. We were united by our open hearts and desire to listen and learn - so the course was perfectly named!”
“This course was outstanding uncle Micklo and Luke made the course fun and interesting I feel everyone who participated felt connected and learning about the local history and language made me see Bellingen and mid north coast in a different way.”
“It far exceeded what I was expecting—a truly wonderful experience.”
