The Bendigo Law Courts embodies the principle of 'culture of place' by integrating contemporary artwork, cultural themes, and language to celebrate the living culture of the Djaara (Dja Dja Wurrung People), the Traditional Owners of the land.
Court Services Victoria(Opens in a new tab/window) worked with Djaara(Opens in a new tab/window) to incorporate Dja Dja Wurrung language in locations throughout the building and precinct. This inclusion is consistent with the tranquil and reflective atmosphere of the building's design.
Djaara see language as one of the most significant aspects of the culture and heritage of any group. Aboriginal culture and knowledge systems are largely expressed verbally, through vocalising place names, stories and songs. Aboriginal languages express not only culture, but also kinship, relationship to the land and water (oceans and rivers) and environmental knowledge. They contain a complex conceptual framework for the living things on the land, the landscape and natural resources. Without language, the link between Aboriginal people and Country would be compromised and the benefit of Aboriginal knowledge may be lost.
Court Services Victoria gratefully acknowledges the ongoing leadership of the Dja Dja Wurrung in sharing their language and culture at the Bendigo Law Courts, and for raising awareness and sharing their culture with everyone who visits.
In the below section you can learn more about the Djaara language used in the public locations in the building. The information includes the Djaara language, its meaning in English, a spoken recording, and the level and location where it is used. This content is reproduced with permission from Djaara(Opens in a new tab/window).
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Djaara Name Meaning |
Recording
|
Floor Location |
---|---|---|
Balam-Balam Butterfly |
|
Ground Children’s Court waiting area |
Bap Djaa Country |
|
Ground Exterior forecourt |
Mitj Skin/bark |
|
Ground Meeting room G09 |
Nyernila Hearing/listening/ |
|
Ground Hargreaves St entry |
Wartaka Come with purpose/ |
|
Ground Hargreaves St entry |
Wurreka To yarn/to talk |
|
Ground to Three Meeting room G07 |
Balak Mob/People |
|
One Level 1 specialist services |
Dhelk djuwima Showing respect |
|
Three Mediation room 3.3 |
Gart-gart Many/Cluster |
|
Three VCAT waiting area |
Nyanga To sit |
|
Three Hearing room 3.2 |
Djurnka galk Message stick |
|
Four Meeting room 410 |
Waa Brother of Bundjiyl/ |
|
Four Level 4 waiting area |
Wurrunyuk bundjilya Law of Bundjiyl |
|
Four Courtroom 4.4 |
Reviewed 7 December 2023