The Taungurung Land and Waters Council, TLaWC, has celebrated the first children’s book written in its indigenous language and English.
Bijil Ba Wudhi Deberra (Bijil and Moths) is a story of a young Taungraung boy who accompanies his parents on a summer trip in the high plains.
It resembles the richness of the Taungurung people, as the family continues to engage in cultural activities, including harvesting Bogong moths and interacting with other tribes.
Author Aunty Loraine Padgham, a Taungurung elder from Wangaratta, wrote the book in honour of the past, present, and those who have expressed awareness to Taungurung roots.
TLaWC chief executive Matt Burns said the children’s book would achieve wonders, considering its on the path to re-awakening the Taungurung language.
“It will form part of a number of resources that will be made over time to re-establish our language as an integral part of the cultural landscape for those, both indigenous and otherwise, living on Taungurung Country,” he said.
All primary schools in the Murrindindi Shire have received a copy from the Murrindindi Shire Council, who supported the book’s production with funding. Librarians, teachers and readers can use the QR scan code to listen to the story in Taungurung language.
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