Gumbaynggirr Barrwayay

In 1974, linguistics student Diana Eades travelled to Nambucca Heads to record conversations with Harry “Tiger” Buchanan, one of the last fluent speakers of Gumbaynggirr. A decade later, a group of Gumbaynggirr Elders living on Dunghutti Country approached local priest Brother Stephen Morelli with an urgent request: help save their language. He agreed—and began studying linguistics to support their efforts. Gumbaynggirr Barrwayay tells the remarkable story of how the Gumbaynggirr language was reclaimed and revitalised. Across six episodes, you'll hear from Elders and community members who worked tirelessly to ensure their language would survive for future generations, building on the foundations laid by those who came before them.