The NSW Governor David Hurley has used an Australia Day ceremony at Barangaroo to call on all Australians to take up the learning of Indigenous languages to build connections with Aboriginal communities.

Following a smoking ceremony and dance performance at the morning event, General Hurley highlighted 2019's designation by the United Nations as the Year of Indigenous Languages. He said Australia Day could serve as a starting point for greater engagement with "the world's oldest continuous culture".

NSW Governor David Hurley. Credit:Jamila Toderas

To that end, it was critical that Aboriginal and Torres Strait languages be taught in schools and communities.

"How many Australians know the language group of the traditional owners and custodians of the land on which they live and work?" said General Hurley, who was named last month as the next Governor-General of Australia.