Indigenous Language Song Competition 2017

This year, more than 1,400 students took part in our Marrin Gamu Competition with ABC Splash. Contributions were received from 31 schools stretching as far as Jabiru in the Northern Territory, to Bloomfield in Queensland, and Maitland in South Australia.

The winning video, from Penrhos College Junior School in Como, Western Australia, impressed judges by involving 337 girls from Years 1–6 singing in Noongar, with 186 of these students playing recorders. The students were guided in their language learning by the Noongar students in their classes. The school won a package of language resources from the Noongar Language Center.

The runner-up entry from Woorabinda State School in Queensland, involved more than 80 students singing in the Ghungalu language. They won recording equipment for their school.

Annabel Astbury, Head of Education at the ABC, was thrilled with the wide-reaching entries for the competition. She went on to say “We were really inspired by the level of excitement among students and teachers alike to learn, celebrate and help preserve our first languages. We’re so proud to have worked with First Languages Australia to run this important competition.”

The winning entries were broadcast on ABC Me on Friday the 20th of October.

Penrhos College Junior School – Noongar entry

Winner Dillee Walloo performed by Woorabinda State School