Farewell Amy!

It is with a heavy heart that we farewell long time trainer and Program Coordinator Amy Parncutt, whose last day with us was on Friday 1st March.

Amy first joined Resource Network for Linguistic Diversity, as we were called then, as a volunteer in 2015, before becoming a Trainer in 2016. She has been part of more than 100 face-to-face and online workshops over her 8 years with the organisation, and has supported countless people in their journey to reclaim and strengthen their languages. With a background in linguistics, Amy shines when it comes to sharing linguistic knowledge, but always in a way that respects people’s deep and abiding connection to their language, and the knowledge they already hold.

Amy was promoted to Language Projects Manager in 2021, and then Program Coordinator in 2022, and has driven the development, then managed the running, of some of our biggest projects. These include the Community Trainer Program, which was created in consultation with our friends and participants, to support and enhance the skills, knowledge and confidence of people who want to teach or train others within their communities. Perhaps an even bigger undertaking was Paper and Talk, run in both 2019 and 2023, a 2-week workshop for community groups to explore the archives, research historical records and repatriate important material back to communities. From inception through to delivery, and on top of her regular training, Amy worked tirelessly to make sure all things were done ‘right ways’.

Amy is a wonderful colleague and mentor, whose passion and care for the organisation, our participants, her colleagues, and the work we do continuously propels her to excellence. Living Languages would not be who we are today without her. We will all miss her greatly and look forward to seeing where she shines her light next.