Muurrbay began in 1986, when Gumbaynggirr Elders got together to revive their language and hand it down.  Aunty Maggie Morris, original member and patron of Muurrbay, who passed away in early 2005, passionately wanted to pass down the language and traditions of her Gumbaynggirr people.  The Elders worked with linguist Brother Steve Morelli to run the first Gumbaynggirr language course in Sherwood, west of Kempsey.

Muurrbay is based in the old church at Bellwood, Nambucca Heads where we began Gumbaynggirr language classes in 1997.  Muurrbay continues to grow as a centre for Aboriginal community activities including classes in Gumbaynggirr language, arts and cultural practices, specialised workshops, and community meetings.

Muurrbay’s purpose is to support Aboriginal people, particularly Gumbaynggirr, in the revival and maintenance of their language and culture, and so strengthen their sense of identity, self esteem and links to country.  Muurrbay has two main activities: supporting the revival of the Gumbaynggirr Language and auspicing Many Rivers Aboriginal Language Centre.


Organisational Structure

The Muurrbay Board of Directors consists of six Gumbaynggirr people, including Chairperson, Treasurer and Secretary.  It is the responsibility of the Directors to advise on all aspects of the functioning of Muurrbay as a Language Centre and Registered Training Organisation, and Many Rivers Aboriginal Language Centre.  Directors’ meetings are held quarterly.


Operations as a registered training organisation

In 2005, Muurrbay was reregistered as a Training Organisation through VETAB.  Muurrbay was audited by VETAB inspectors in July 2005.


Partnerships

Many partnerships and links have been formed or are in development, including: