Wathaurong Language Program - Geelong

Address: Wathaurong Aboriginal Cooperative
PO Box 402
North Geelong VIC 3215
Telephone:03 5277 0766
Fax: 03 5278 4123
Email: d.tournier@wathaurong.org.au
Coordinator/Language Worker: David Tournier

 

Supported by the Wada Wurrung Aboriginal Corporation, the objectives of the Wathaurong Language Program is to research and document Wada wurrung language and culture.

The Wathaurong Language Program began in March 1998. Suzie Coates was the first Language Worker with Bruce Pascoe taking over the position in June 1999 in a part time capacity. Denise Charles joined the Language Program in September 2003, working 2 days per week.

Now, the program is based at the Wathaurong Co-operative on Geelong run by Wathaurong Language & Education Worker, David Tournier. Originally the language research began with the 2,000 Wathaurong word list compiled by Professor Barry Blake (La Trobe University Linguist) and also words compiled by Sue Ferrier (Author of Wathaurong Medicines).

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Since then an enormous amount of information has been unearthed by both Suzie and Bruce so today we have a list of .around 7,000 Wathaurong words including many sentences place names, property names and the names of indigenous and non indigenous people from the contact period of Geelong from 1835 onwards. Research into the re- discovery of Wathaurong words could go on indefinitely, as we are constantly finding new material.

The Program has produced several resources over the past few years, namely an interactive CDRom titled "Learning Wathaurong" and Community Phrasebook, Claymation DVD & Creation Stories DVD.