FIONA LUGNAN Mob YARNZ

My first guest is a staunch Gumbaynggirr and Bundjalung Women, Fiona Lugnan (née Webb). Fiona was the Program Manager at the Speaking Hour Lingo Program, a Youth Radio Project that I was part of. This was the platform that gave me the opportunity to explore radio and led me to establishing the first ever Gumbaynggirr web-based radio station. This month I sat down with Fi to yarn!

GIINAGAY Fi, firstly are you able to let our readers know, who’s ya Mob and where ya from? Giinagay! So I’m a Webb and Skinner through Nan Gloria (deceased) who was a Skinner from the Red Rock/ Corindi area and my Pop (deceased) was a Webb from up past Grafton way. I am both Gumbaynggirr and Bundjalung. I grew up in Nana Glen area, and have lived almost my entire life on Gumbaynggirr Country. Tell us a little bit about what you have done for work? I am currently at Gumbaynggirr Giingana Freedom School where my role is to set up the secondary part of the school (years 7-12). This is my absolute dream job and I think my career has certainly culminated to this - I truly believe this role and this school to be my calling to community and culture. Some of my previous roles include a Senior Education Officer for the Department of Education, Teacher at Coffs Harbour High School where I was both classroom teaching and also heading up Aboriginal Education there. I also have worked as a Teacher's Aide (Bishop Druitt College), a Program Manager (Speaking Hour Lingo) and Project Officer (Saltwater Freshwater) on Gumbaynggirr Country, and whilst I was in Sydney I was a Program Manager for AIME and also worked at the Downing Centre Local Court. What motivates you to get up in the morning? My motivation is my own junuybin (children), but also the thought that I am playing a part in the future building of our community and culture. It is honestly a privilege and honour to be part of this education revolution and the responsibility of that is a major motivation, and it fuels my passion for immersion education for our kids. Education OUR way for OUR kids!

You must have lots of great MobMoments! Are you able to share one of your favourite MobMoments? YES, I have so many Mob moments!!! I think going to Aotearoa (NZ) in Feburary of this year to perform at Waitangi Festival, the NRL Allstars and learn from Maori schools is definitely up there! Our dance group (Giingana Yiiliwiyay Giirrwa) Unitand school (GGFS) had the immense privilege of visiting and immersing ourselves in Maori education, language and community, it was actually life altering. The experience was so personally rewarding, but to be able to do this with the Mob was just unexplainable.

What are some of your hopes and dreams for Mob? My hope and dream for Mob is that we have our matters in our hands, that we are handling our own business! I hope that we can recognise our own strength, talents and expertise and we can come together to ensure a strong, staunch community that is self-determined and sovereign. I am so excited for the future of GGFS, I cannot wait to see the incredible, staunch, whole young people that we will have come out into the community!