Talk to discuss Aboriginal languages of Victoria

THE Surf Coast community is invited to learn about the Aboriginal languages of Victoria with a public lecture this weekend.

Adjunct Associate Professor and linguist Stephen Morey will host the event at the Aireys Inlet Community Hall this Sunday, March 30.

Mr Morey has expertise in Aboriginal and Northern India Languages, spending his career working on them and with communities.

Facilitator Helen Gardner said she hopes from the event, people will take away a renewed respect and interest in the languages surrounding them.

“Aboriginal communities are still here and are working to rebuild their language knowledge and perhaps others can assist in some way either financially or by learning some language themselves,” she said.

Ms Gardner said these types of events are important for the community.

“They are a way of bringing people together to consider the culture and the history of both the Surf Coast but also the broader Victorian state.

“They introduce people to the world that existed before colonisation and also to the work of Aboriginal communities to reclaim their language.”

Ms Gardner said Mr Morey and his passion, knowledge and capacity to speak to people is what makes him such a great public speaker.

“He’s really good and he’s able to enthuse people and encourage people and it’s a wonderful introduction.

“It’s a way of encouraging people to think more about the world around them and their place within it.”

Miss Gardner thanked the traditional owners for their permission to hold the event and for opening it with a Welcome to Country.

All funds raised from the lecture will go towards the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners and their works in language reclamation.

The public lecture will begin at 4pm.

For tickets and more information, head to trybooking.com/events/landing/1368373