Acting Lord Mayor Nick Reece wants Aboriginal language to be ‘part of Melbourne life’

The city’s acting Lord Mayor also wants the government to make a “commitment” to ensure more Australians learn an Indigenous language.

Acting Mayor Nick Reece says he has set himself a 50-word challenge and urged others to do so.

The city’s acting Lord Mayor has urged Melburnians to learn a few Aboriginal words, to make them part of everyday conversation and ­embrace Indigenous cultures.

Nick Reece says he has set himself a 50-word challenge and urged others to do so.

“Even if it’s just a few words, why not try, beginning this week? It’s as easy as Wominjeka (welcome) and Narrm (Melbourne),’’ Mr Reece said.

“Let’s make these words part of our Melbourne life.’’

Mr Reece made a speech ­including a welcome spoken in Indigenous language to mark the closing event of Naidoc Week at Federation Square.

“By Naidoc Week next year I aim to be able to speak 50 words in the Woiwurrung language of the Wurundjeri people – the traditional owners of Melbourne,” he said.

Mr Reece said he hoped Aussies could learn from New Zealand where more people learnt the Maori language.

“In Australia, Aboriginal languages are even more ­endangered than the Maori language is,” he said.

“It would be great to see governments in this country make a similar commitment to what we have seen in New Zealand.’’

Nick Reece says he has set himself a 50-word challenge and urged others to do so.

Proud Bangerang/Wiradjuri woman Aunty Geraldine Atkinson has called for more schools to teach Indigenous languages in schools.

“This would give every kid in Victoria an opportunity to connect with the oldest living culture in the world,’’ she said.

This year’s Naidoc week was significant for the raising of the Aboriginal flag over the West Gate Bridge, as well as the traditional march through central Melbourne on Friday and a series of cultural, sporting and artistic events.

Melbourne is seeing an increasing emphasis on the recognition of Indigenous place names. Earlier this year, Lord Mayor Sally Capp said that some locations could be given an additional indigenous name under Town Hall’s reconciliation plan.

And the inner-north Moreland City Council is moving to rename itself with the indigenous Merri-bek because of racist connections of the original.

Last month, a landmark Treaty bill was passed in the Victorian lower house where all MPs, except Liberal Tim Smith, voted for it.

The legislation aims to deliver a just reconciliation process for First Nations people in the state.