The Macquarie University Global Indigenous Futures Research Centre recently held the inaugural Dharug Dhalang Workshop – an important step in supporting the revitalising of Dharug language and encouraging broader community engagement. The workshop marked the first major milestone of the Indigenous Language Hub, made possible through the generous support of the Cybec Foundation.

Dharug Dhalang is the language of Dharug peoples, whose homelands encompasses the area of the Sydney Basin—from the Hawkesbury to the Georges River, and from the Blue Mountains to the sea. The language was severely impacted by colonisation, and its revival remains a long and ongoing journey. Supporting the revitalisation of Dharug language is vital for future generations and for strengthening connection to Ngurra (Country).

The Indigenous Language Hub - led by the Macquarie University Global Indigenous Futures Research Centre and hosted on Dharug Ngurra - is the first dedicated program focused on the Dharug language at Macquarie University. Developed in close collaboration with Bayala and local Dharug community including language speakers, the hub provides access to Aboriginal language speakers, resources and workshops that support and encourage active participation in language reclamation.

Held on Tuesday 17 June 2025, the Dharug Dhalang workshop marked the first major milestone for the Indigenous Language Hub. Facilitated by Aunty Corina Wayaligili Norman and Aunty Jasmine Seymour, the workshop took participants on a journey through the Dharug language – highlighting its context and importance, exploring key words and phrases and building and completing sentences.

"It was wonderful to see participants actively engaging and developing complex language skills in an accessible and interactive environment,” says Distinguished Professor Bronwyn Carlson, Head of the Centre of Critical Indigenous Studies.

“We are deeply grateful to Corina and Jasmine, and we look forward to developing further resources and opportunities for people to engage with Dharug Dhalang through the Indigenous Language Hub.”

There are more than 250 Indigenous languages across Australia, including more than 800 dialects. While the Indigenous Language Hub is commencing its focus on the Dharug language, there are plans to expand its reach to support other Indigenous language revitalisation efforts in the future.

“We are working on a suite of resources, including a vlog series and future workshops, for those committed to learning and incorporating Dharug Dhalang in their everyday life,” says Dr Tamika Worrell, Senior Lecturer in the Centre of Critical Indigenous Studies.

“Engaging with Dharug Dhalang is a community-focused journey and essential for connection to culture and promotion of cultural safety, wellbeing and self-determination.”

“We encourage people to stay connected by reaching out to the Macquarie University Global Indigenous Futures Research Centre, exploring the Bayala Dharug app and registering their interest in future Dharug Dhalang workshops.”

The United Nations General Assembly has declared 2022-2032 the International Decade of Indigenous Languages, aiming to raise global awareness of the critical state of many Indigenous languages and to mobilise collective action for their preservation and revitalisation.

The Indigenous Language Hub is encouraging Macquarie University staff to play an active role in learning and speaking Dharug Dhalang and embracing words and phrases into email greetings and everyday conversations.

Some Dharug Dhalang you can learn and incorporate into your everyday conversations:

• Warami (war-a-me) – hello/where are you from?
• Yanu (yarn-oo) – goodbye
• Nigiyini budyari (near-ngi bood-jar-ri) – are you good?
• Budyari nawunya (bood-jar-ri na-woon-ya) – good to see you
• Yuwin (yoo-win) – yes
• Biyal (bye-yal) - no
• Budyari (bood-jar-ri) – good
• Mittigar (mitt-ee-gar) – friend
• Yura (you-ra) – people
• Darrabarra (durra-burra) – day
• Didgerigura (didge-er-re-goor) – thank you

To learn more and hear how to pronounce words correctly, download the free Bayala Dharug app.