MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:07): Last week I had the pleasure of attending the first graduation of the certificate III in learning an endangered Aboriginal language. This Victorian-first course started in 2018 and continued throughout 2019. The certificate gives students the understanding, skills and resources to build up their knowledge of their traditional languages. The teaching was held at various locations throughout the year to support participation of students across the state. Each student enrolled in the course studied their own traditional language. Not only is this the first time the course is being delivered in Victoria, it is the first time in Australia. And it has been delivered to a group studying so many different languages.
What a wonderful celebration it was at Charcoal Lane in Richmond. There were 11 graduates of the certificate, and the level of pride was so clear for everyone to see. Every single graduate should be proud—proud of the hard work that they have put in to revive their own traditional language. Preserving, reclaiming, revitalising and promoting language goes to the heart of self-determination. We on this side of the house are incredibly proud to support the revival of Aboriginal languages. This certificate has been supported by this government, and that is why we have put it on the funded course list for this year. Further, all students who completed the certificate III will be supported to continue the new certificate IV with full scholarships.
Well done to all the teaching staff involved in the course. Your tireless work helped make this course such a huge success. Congratulations to all graduates, and remember to be loud and proud.
