Bible Translation Workshops (multi language)

Project 8533

This project provides vital funds to cover the travel, accommodation and food costs involved in bringing groups of Australian Indigenous translators to Nungalinya College in Darwin, for 1-2 week multi- language translation workshops. Together, participants translate key Bible passages, grow in their understanding of Scripture and discover practical ways to share it with others. The workshops are run by experienced translators and translation consultants who are on hand to encourage and assist the translators where needed. Experience has shown that a great deal more work is achieved when the translators are able to stay at Nungalinya College for the duration of the workshop. This is because it gives them the opportunity to focus fully on their translation work when they are away from the responsibilities of family and community. It also provides them with a bit of a break from the stresses of everyday life.

The multi-language workshops held in 2024 and 2025 were both huge successes, with a total of about 25 language groups starting on, or re-starting, their Bible translation journey. In 2026, another workshop will bring language communities and translators together to continue this important work. Every workshop adds to a growing collection of Bible stories in Australian Indigenous languages — stories that can be shared, used in communities and built upon in future workshops. People from these communities, and the translators involved, regularly express their desire for these workshops to continue, and your support can help make that possible. We would love to be able to tell them that there is enough funding for the workshops to continue annually.

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Budget target: AU$25,556 by mid-2027

Excess funds will go towards the following year’s target.

Scripture Material Distribution in remote Central Australia

Project 8534

There are many Aboriginal Christians living in remote communities, who have a great thirst for the Word of God, but very limited resources. These communities can be vast distances apart and spread across much of central Australia. This project is raising funds to assist with the very significant costs involved in driving to remote communities to distribute Scripture materials, offer encouragement, and fellowship with Aboriginal Christians. We see this as a vitally important long term mission. The costs that would be supported (to whichever extent donations allow) would be: fuel, tyre replacement or repair and minor car repairs/service.

In the shorter term (from 2024), a dedicated Christian couple with a heart for supporting Indigenous Christians living remotely, plan to dedicate 6 – 8 months of the year to meeting this need. It is our hope that this will become an annual mission, even if the people carrying out the work change.

English Immersion Leaders

Project 8863

This project is open to receive donations. If you have any questions, please contact Wycliffe Australia’s projects office.

Photo from https://stock.adobe.com/au/free

Nungalinya Indigenous Translation Cert.

Project 8331

Nungalinya College, in Darwin, identified a growing need to provide training in basic Bible translation practices to the new generation of younger and less experienced translators. This resulted in the College developing and registering a new course – the Certificate II in Indigenous Translation, funded collaboratively by Wycliffe Australia, AuSIL, CMS, Bible Society, and Coordinate Uniting Church NT. This entry level training is vitally important for the continuation and renewal of translation work in Indigenous First Languages, particularly of the Northern Territory. It is intended that many of the students achieving the Certificate II in Indigenous Translation will be equipped and encouraged to go on to complete further translation courses and to work as Bible translators.

Wycliffe Australia has a long and close association with Nungalinya College. It is the premier training body in the Northern Territory for Indigenous Christians, offering courses in Bible translation, literacy/numeracy, ministry and theology, and applied fields of art, family wellbeing and media/music. Students not living in Darwin are accommodated at Nungalinya College, and have meals provided, so that they can leave their communities for 2 or 4 week blocks to undertake their studies.

You are invited to contribute to this wonderful project just below. However, if tax deductibility is required, this is available through the Nungalinya College website https://www.nungalinya.edu.au/donate/.

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Budget target: $27,778 for 2026.

Excess funds will go towards the following year’s target.

Yolngu Matha Cluster

Project 8538

Yolngu Matha is the collective name for a group of over 40 related languages spoken in North East Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory. People often understand and speak multiple languages, but identify with the language of their family’s clan-nation. Two Yolngu languages have a New Testament, and some others have small portions, but many groups are keen to have more Scriptures available in their own language.

Funding from this project will be used to pay the wages of Aboriginal translators and cover other project expenses such as travel and accommodation to allow a translation advisor to spend time working with local translators across this remote region.

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Budget target: AU$$42,085 by end of 2026

Excess funds will go towards the following year’s target.

West Arnhem Cluster

Project 8537

There is a huge desire amongst Indigenous Christians in West Arnhem Land (Northern Territory) for Bible translation. Wycliffe currently has relationships with people from at least seven different language communities* in this region, helping them with the translation work they aspire to.

One of the big challenges at the moment is funding, particularly for travel between Darwin and remote communities in West Arnhem. Funds raised for this project will allow the local volunteer translators to travel to Darwin to spend dedicated time on translation work away from family distractions, and to receive training in translation methods, project management and other necessary skills. It will also enable a trained linguist and a translation consultant to travel regularly to work with language communities and help them progress.

*Current languages include Kuninjku, Ndjebbana, Rembarrnga, Nakara, Burarra, Mawng and Jabiru-Mayali.

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Budget target: AU$33,265 by end of 2026

Excess funds will go towards the following year’s target.

Ngaanyatjarra Scripture Use – Australia

[FULLY FUNDED FOR 2026]

Project 8336

The goal of this project is to improve Scripture availability for Ngaanyatjarra people, most of whom live in an area roughly midway between Kalgoorlie and Alice Springs.

The whole of the New Testament and 18% of the Old Testament has been translated into Ngaanyatjarra, and people appreciate hearing others read the Scripture in the language that speaks to their heart. This is important, not only for those whose eyesight is failing, but for many others as they listen while travelling between communities.

Currently however, only a small amount of Scripture is available in audio form. Scripture-based songs are an enjoyable and popular way to hear and repeat Bible truths, and there are some very talented song-writers across the area. The project could include further audio recording of Ngaanyatjarra Scripture, writing and recording Ngaanyatjarra Scripture-based songs, facilitating Bible studies, and similar activities.

This project fund will cover the transport, accommodation, food and remuneration expenses necessary to advance such activities.

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$40,335 for 2026 is fully funded.