Wednesday, 11 May 2022

Aboriginal language certificate

Ms COUZENS (Geelong) (12:51): I was very pleased to join the Minister for Training and Skills on a visit to the Gordon TAFE last week to announce $2.8 million to deliver a new TAFE certificate IV Aboriginal language course. I want to thank the minister for this significant investment and her commitment to First Nations peoples. This certificate will enable students to teach their language on country and in kindergartens and schools. It is critical that access to language training continues so there is an increase in the number of speakers and teachers of Aboriginal languages in Victoria. We should never forget that the traditional owner languages were stolen, silenced and decimated after colonisation.

Wadawurrung woman and traditional owner Corrina Eccles was one of the first graduates from the first trial of the course and is now one of the first teachers of Wathaurong language. She says it was not easy, but her passion and hard work will connect more young people to their culture and preserve Wathaurong language for generations to come. The announcement was made in the Kitjarra centre, a purpose-built community engagement centre for the Gordon’s 220 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. The recently opened Kitjarra centre provides a culturally safe place for learning and is home to the Gordon’s Aboriginal education unit, Mumgu-dhal, funded through the Victorian government’s Aboriginal education initiative. It is an important element of the Victorian government’s Marrung Aboriginal education plan, which is designed to increase engagement— (Time expired)