Language Revitalisation in a Bilingual Program—The Case of Numbulwar School

Abstract

This chapter focuses on the strengthening and consolidation of a revitalisation program at Numbulwar school between 1993 and 2009. All of the authors worked with the program at some time during this period. Since 2009 the program has faced some serious challenges and has less focus in the school now. Numbulwar is unique in the Northern Territory Department of Education (NT DoE) official Bilingual Programs as it is the only program that grew so strongly during the 1990s and which focussed on revitalisation. It has benefitted on the one hand from a vocal and pro-active community and on the other hand its connection with Bilingual Programs and the resourcing this made available. The period we focus on shows what can be achieved when a pro-active community, key specialists and resourcing are aligned over a number of years.