Brodie Ryder
Reception
I work as the receptionist at the new Noongar Language Centre. I am of Wardandi and Balardong clan heritage.
I have previously worked for Goomburrup, which is another Aboriginal organisation for the local community here in Bunbury. There I worked as a trainee receptionist, where I completed my Certificate II in Business.
I graduated primary school in 2007 from Djidi Djidi Aboriginal School. There I learned the Noongar language from the age of 4 and it started to become quite natural to me. However after moving onto high school my language began to fade, as the language I had to learn then was French. I graduated year 12 in 2012 from Australind Senior High School, where I also completed a Certificate I in Hospitality.
During high school and after leaving high school I still had a huge interest in getting my language back, which is why I went on to getting my first job at Goomburrup. Whilst I was there I also worked with Aunty Charmaine Councillor for Batchelor Institute on some language recordings where I heard my great grandmother Alice Bennell’s (nee Hill) voice for the first time speaking the Noongar language, that’s when I knew I wanted to be a part of the Noongar language as much as I can and for as long as I can.
Working here at the Noongar Language Centre has definitely bought my language back to me, I now realise, it was never really gone I just needed to be reminded and it instantly came back to me.
I do hope to become a linguist one day and study the Noongar language and its history and be able to share and pass down my wonderful language.