By Dhabessa Wakjira

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On Sunday, 16th August 2026, the air at Flemington Hub was thick with anticipation, respect, and the warm hum of community. It was a day of celebration, reflection, and a profound commitment to the future—a day when the Australian Oromo Community Victoria (AOCV) officially launched its much-anticipated Elders Voice Program (Sagantaa Sagalee Maanguddootaa) .

The event marked more than just a ceremonial opening; it was a declaration that the voices of our elders matter. That their stories are not merely echoes of the past but living threads that weave the fabric of our identity. As the program unfolds, it promises to become a cornerstone of cultural preservation, intergenerational connection, and community healing.

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A Program Rooted in Reverence

The Elders Voice Program will be delivered on the first week of every month, offering a regular, dedicated space for elders to share their wisdom, experiences, and cultural knowledge with younger generations. It is a structured yet heartfelt initiative designed to ensure that the rich tapestry of Oromo heritage—its history, traditions, language, and values—is not only remembered but actively lived and passed on.

“Maanguddoonni keenya kuusaa seenaa, aadaa fi duudhaa keenyaati,” the AOCV team reminded attendees during the launch. “Isaan seenaa, barnoota, muuxannoo fi yaadannoo dhaloota walitti hidhu baatanii jiru.”

Translation: “Our elders are the keepers of our history, culture and traditions—carrying stories, lessons and memories that connect us to where we come from and remind us of who we are.”

These words resonated deeply with the crowd, a mix of young and old, Oromo-born and Australian-raised, all united by a shared desire to honour the past while building a resilient future.

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Why This Program Matters Now

In an age of rapid globalisation and digital distraction, the risk of cultural erosion is real. For diaspora communities, the challenge is even greater. Languages fade, customs evolve, and the intimate oral traditions that once bound generations together can easily slip through the cracks of busy modern lives.

The Elders Voice Program stands as a deliberate counterforce to this trend. By creating a regular forum where elders are not just listened to but celebrated, AOCV is ensuring that:

· History is preserved: Oral histories, migration stories, and ancestral knowledge are documented and shared.

· Wisdom is transferred: Life lessons, problem-solving approaches, and traditional skills are passed to younger hands.

· Identity is strengthened: Young people gain a clearer sense of who they are and where they come from, building pride and resilience.

· Community is unified: Intergenerational dialogue fosters mutual understanding, respect, and deeper social bonds.

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A Launch to Remember

The Flemington Hub was alive with energy on launch day. Elders were seated in places of honour, their faces beaming with pride and emotion. Young community members performed traditional songs and poetry, weaving the old with the new. There were moments of laughter, tears, and powerful silence—the kind that speaks louder than words.

One elder, reflecting on the initiative, shared: “Yeroo dheeraaf sagaleen keenya hin dhageeffamne ture. Amma garuu, ijoolleen keenya dhaga’uu barbaada. Kun ijoollee keenyaaf, nuufis, eebba guddaadha.”

“For too long, our voices were not heard. But now, our children want to listen. This is a blessing for them and for us.”

The launch concluded with a community feast and the formal announcement of the program’s monthly schedule, with the first official session set to take place in the first week of September 2026.

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Looking Ahead

The Elders Voice Program is more than a series of meetings—it is a movement. It is a promise that the stories of those who came before us will not be forgotten. It is an invitation for every community member, young and old, to participate in the sacred act of remembering and retelling.

As AOCV continues to build bridges between the Oromo diaspora and broader Australian society, initiatives like this remind us all of a universal truth: every culture is carried forward by its elders, and every community is enriched when it pauses to listen to them.

“Sagalee maanguddootaa keenyaa haa dhageenyu, seenaa isaanii haa galmeessinu, ogummaa isaanii dhalootaaf haa dabarsinu.”

“Let us hear the voices of our elders, document their stories, and pass on their wisdom to the generations to come.”

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Get Involved

The Elders Voice Program invites all community members to attend, contribute, and learn. For more information on upcoming sessions, volunteer opportunities, or to share an elder’s story, contact AOCV at [insert contact details] .

Together, we honour the past. Together, we build the future.

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