First Languages Australia Celebrates Faith Baisden AM

Faith Baisden, Yugamabeh woman and founding CEO of First Languages Australia has been awarded a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for her lifetime commitment to national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander language advocacy 

It is an honour that reflects not just a remarkable career but is a recognition of a life devoted to ensuring the oldest living languages on the planet continue to be spoken, sung, taught and treasured for generations to come. 

For more than 30 years Faith has played a central role in transforming visibility of the landscape of Indigenous languages in Australia. Working together with language advocates nationally, and since 2012 particularly with First Languages Australia’s Management Committee and network leaders, Faith has been a tireless collaborator, connector and champion of a national community effort. Faith brought people together–community members, language centres, educators, government ministers, global technology companies–and turned those connections into action. She led landmark conversations with the Australian Government that have resulted in significant increases in awareness of and support for Indigenous languages. She championed reforms in Indigenous languages education. She spearheaded work with the media to bring the Indigenous languages of this country into the homes and hearts of the Australian public. She worked with diverse partners, both corporate and government, assisting them to embed language activities and priorities as core business, and securing their support for community language activities on the ground. Throughout her leadership she consistently pushed for national languages policies across all of government that would guarantee long-term support for community language work.  

The impact of Faith’s work is cross-generational. For those who grew up in an Australia where First Nations languages were rarely seen or heard in public life, it challenges old thinking and opens hearts. For young people today, the presence of First Nations language and culture in the platforms they love is simply the world as it is, and as it should be. That profound shift in how this country understands itself, is part of Faith's legacy. 

Since closing her chapter with First Languages Australia, Faith has continued to pour herself into the work. She has turned her attention to projects that promote language awareness and open doors for community to create resources for their languages. These projects include Yarrabil: Children’s Songs Series, No Offence,Go Figure, and Dance with Tom, all of which weave Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages, cultures and histories into mainstream media channels. From her home on Quandamooka Country, surrounded by her husband, six children and many grandchildren she publishes language books for children. This is proof, if any were needed, that for Faith Baisden, this was never just a job, it is who she is. 

Those of us who have had the privilege of working alongside Faith, learning from her, and being inspired by her, are not surprised that she has received this honour. Because where so many saw an overwhelming goal, Faith saw a path forward: First Nations languages celebrated at the highest levels of government, embedded in classrooms from early childhood to university, woven into the world's most visible digital platforms, and alive in the voices of children who will carry them forward. She didn't just believe in that future, she worked with those around her to help build it. 

Faith's story and work is a call to all of us. Across this country, remarkable language work is happening every day - in community halls, in classrooms, in recording studios, on kitchen tables, around fires, in the patient, passionate labour of people who have decided that language loss is not inevitable. Their work matters. It changes lives. It keeps our cultures alive.  

Faith's leadership shows what is possible when we commit fully to our purpose - and it is an invitation to do the same. Your languages need you. Your communities need you. The work is ongoing, and it is some of the most important work there is. 

First Languages Australia is deeply and fiercely proud to carry on the legacy Faith worked so hard with our management committee and language advocates nationally to build. Everything she planted here continues to grow. We honour her not only for what she has done, but for what she has made possible: a stronger, more connected languages sector, and a future where every First Nations language has the chance to flourish. 

Congratulations, Faith Baisden AM. You have given so much.