Joy! A supporter has just read our latest Heartland Journeys story and commented “What a wonderful story this week! Oh, that we had experienced such an education…what a difference it would have made…and to the YES campaign.”

The story features Natalie Cordon who teaches Noongar language at Ravensthorpe school, in an area that’s crucial to Gondwana Link’s 1000-kilometre-long ecological program.

Noongar is an oral language that comes from Boodja (Country), says Natalie, and “you’ve got to teach the connection between the language and Country”. “I think the kids find the Noongar language classes so interesting because of the connection. Noongar is Australian, it belongs to our area. It is part of where we actually live. I think that really excites them.”

Natalie’s story demonstrates the joy and learning that come from this approach, especially when Aunty Carol Pettersen visits the school!

Read the story here: https://heartlandjourneys.com.au/stories/noongar_language/

The June 2025 edition of the Southerly Magazine also carries the story.

Photo: Natalie Cordon.