First Languages in Verse
November 21, 2025
The Mobile Language Team is proudly supporting the defi-Nations exhibition for the second year in a row. The exhibition opened at Adelaide City Library on 13 November and runs until 30 December 2025.
The exhibition highlights the diversity and strength of Aboriginal languages across Australia. Languages are woven into the land itself – carrying stories, memories, identities and connections to Country. Poetry, as one of the many creative ways people express culture, plays a unique role in keeping language strong and visible.
defi-Nations features 6 First Nations poets, writers and storytellers, each using words from their heritage languages to create poetry pieces. Through their work, they share lived experiences, reflections and cultural knowledge. It is estimated that in the duration of this exhibition, 36,000 will have interacted with the words.
One of the featured artists is MLT Aboriginal Language Worker, Jaylon Newchurch, a proud Kaurna and Narungga man. Jaylon wrote an acrostic poem titled Madlala about his grandfather, he also delivered a Welcome to Country in Kaurna at the launch – which showed the importance of language and place.
Languages represented in the exhibitions include: Guugu Yimithirr, Ngarrindjeri, Arrernte, Yankunytjatjara, Antikirinya, and Wiradjuri, giving visitors a glimpse of the language diversity of First Nations communities. Each poem in the exhibition includes its own QR code, allowing visitors to scan and listen to the piece being read aloud by the author. It’s a really engaging way to experience the sound and rhythm of each artists language as they intended it to be heard.
The exhibition runs from 14 November to 30 December 2025 at the Adelaide City Library, the event is completely free and open to everyone. It’s only a short walk off Rundle Mall, so it’s a perfect stop-in if you’re already in the city.
If you get the chance, pop in and experience this creative and meaningful celebration of culture, language and poetry.
Dates: 14 November – 30 December 2025
Location: Adelaide City Library – 3 Rundle Place, 77-91 Rundle Mall (Level 3)
You can read more on the exhibition and listen to Jaylon’s poem here.
The MLT continues to create a wide range of written resources in SA Aboriginal languages – from life histories, online language lessons, media and books. If you’re interested in sharing stories or developing written materials for your language, contact us. We’d love to hear from you!