June/An t-Òg-mhios 2.6.2016
The National newspaper has been covering the case of the Australian Brain family for some months now, and their son, who is in Gaelic-Medium Education. The National has kindly printed my views on the matter, and also the contribution my work has made over the last three years to the Scottish economy and employment. I am deeply grateful to The National and its journalist, Greg Russell, who have been following this case so closely, and there are a few minor clarifications & corrections I need to articulate in relation to this morning's article here.
I, along with another Gaelic-speaking Australian also now involved in educational work in Scotland, co-founded the Australian Gaelic Summer School in 1997. This work has continued since as Autumn and Spring schools as well, and is set to celebrate its 20th anniversary next year. The £53,601 refers to my work directing some 12 different projects and events which has supported the 34 artistic and production staff mentioned. This is in addition to the extensive educational work around Scotland, also referred to, that has supported over 75 business in Scotland and in the UK as a whole. The Education Scotland Gaelic Education Conference today is titled "Gaelic Education - Transitions to Secondary" and I will be talking to teachers about my work and making a short presentation on how this work supports Gaelic learning and engagement and the fulfillment of Curriculum for Excellence Outcomes & Experiences.
It is also worth noting in relation to Gaelic making significant contributions to the Scottish economy on a broader scale that HIE Research revealed the potential economic value of Gaelic as an asset to Scottish businesses, communities & the wider Scottish economy could be from £81.6m to £148.5m a year.
Mòran taing dhà-rìreabh a-rithist dhan National agus dha na h-uile com-pàirtiche anns an obair agam air feadh Alba - tha mi fada, fada nur comain. Deepest thanks again to The National and all of the partners I have worked with in developing Gaelic Arts across Scotland since 2012.