Yamandhu marang
Last month, Book Supply for 2023 was launched and over 1,990 Community organisations received an invitation to order their packs. We've already received 338 orders and book packs are already on their way, with the help of our major sponsor: Australia Post.
Pleasingly, our stock of Books 4 Toddlers (0-3 years) and Books 4 Kids (4-7 years) are in high demand and quotas have already been reached and the Communities that miss out this time, will be sent packs in our second allocation in July. We receive incredible feedback when these books arrive in Community and kids are exposed to a beautiful range of quality, new culturally relevant books - and I pass on a thank you to YOU, for your support to make this happen!
In more exciting news, a new book, NT Mob Sharing Stories in Language, is now available for pre-order. Featuring nine stories in nine Aboriginal languages from the Northern Territory, this book includes a mix of traditional stories and stories that reflect life in remote Communities today. NT Mob Sharing Stories in Language is a rich and rare collection. As ILF Ambassador Jessica Mauboy aptly says, “so deadly to see these nine wonderful stories come in one book for everyone to share. I hope you love this book!”
Another big announcement - Busking For Change our newest musical fundraiser, led by ILF ambassador Josh Pyke and designed for primary students is gaining traction. It's a simple concept - kids learn to sing a song in English and Kriol or play an instrument of their choice, and ask family and friends to sponsor them. Funds raised go towards our programs and publishing projects. It's a joyful multi-literacy celebration of music, song and language.
Lastly, I warmly welcome ILF's Head of Human Resources, Katharine Elkan, who joined the team this month. With over 20 years working in the corporate HR space, Katharine brings plenty of HR experience and is also completing her Masters in Human Resources and Industrial Relations. Having someone of Katharine's calibre is a coup for ILF and the team are already revelling in her organisational and policy development skills.
Mandaang guwu,
Ben Bowen, Chief Executive Officer
SPOTLIGHTING | Word of the Month
To celebrate UNESCO's second year of the Decade of Indigenous Languages, each month we encourage readers to learn a new word in either an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander language.
This month's word is day in Wiradjuri language! Wiradjuri Country is in central New South Wales
- day = yiradhu
- Phonetics: yir-a-thu
- Download the audio version here.
ASKING | Would your school love a visit from Andy Griffiths?
This year we are running an early bird offer, simply host your schools Great Book Swap and submit your donation by 30 June 2023 to automatically go into the draw to win a virtual visit from beloved ILF Ambassador, Andy Griffiths!
SUPPORTING | Bianca Hunt supports the ILF on I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!
We are so grateful that we were the charity of choice for Bianca Hunt on the Australian TV series, 'I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here...' We had the pleasure of welcoming the wonderful Bianca Hunt to our Sydney office. Bianca used her platform on 'I'm A Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here' to raise awareness about the work we do at the ILF. She is extremely passionate about education and we are so grateful for her support.
OFFERING | Busking For Change - tips for success from Summer Hill PS.
Summer Hill Public School jumped at the chance to participate in the Busking For Change pilot program in 2022. The joy and success of the program was accelerated by the school's active music program and the desire to give students an opportunity to participate in a brilliant fundraiser for the ILF.
SAVING THE DATE | Indigenous Literacy Day | 6 September 2023
Indigenous Literacy Day (ILD) will be held on 6 September 2023. Make sure to save the date and celebrate stories, cultures and languages with us. Stay tuned for more information coming out shortly!
CLICKING | For More Stories
GIFTING | Bags of Books to Babies and Toddlers
Over the last six years, many much-needed items have been distributed to remote and regional Communities by the Dr Steve Burroughs Foundation and now books from ILF’s Book Supply program are reaching families too.
PRINTING | Can You Dance? translated into Miriwoong
This month we sent a translated edition of ILF favourite Can You Dance? off to print! Wanja warrg nemben? has been translated into Miriwoong by the Mirima Dawang Woorlab-gerring Language and Culture Centre, and copies of the book will be given back to the centre. This is the first book published by the ILF in Miriwoong, and we're excited to send copies off to the Community soon!
PUBLISHING | First Commercial Children’s Picture Book featuring Thanynakwith Language!
The ILF is proud to publish a new book from Napranum Community, We Look, We Find representing the first time a children’s picture book featuring Thanynakwith language has ever been commercially published. We Look, We Find is a point of pride for everyone involved in the production of the story.
SPOTLIGHTING | Ambassadors
Congratulations to ILF Ambassadors Dr Anita Heiss and Alison Lester for being shortlisted for the Australian Book Industry Awards (ABIA) Small Publishers’ Children’s Book of the Year!
National Indigenous Television (NITV) has announced the appointment of ILF Co-Chair Natalie Ahmat as Head of Indigenous News and Current Affairs. Natalie holds a wealth of knowledge and is an extraordinary leader. We are very happy for her!
ILF Ambassador Debra Dank speaks about her book 'We Come With This Place'. Congratulations Deb on being shortlisted for the 2023 Stella Prize!
OFFERING | Special Thanks
We would like to thank Oracle who have provided us with a generous grant to support our Book Supply and Book Buzz Programs in New South Wales. We love collaborating with companies like Oracle to achieve our program goals!
We are very grateful to Energy Australia who raised $7,000 from selling almost 20 artworks from their corporate offices which they donated to our Foundation.
We are very grateful to have the support of HubSpot. For every HubSpot Academy certification completed during World Certification Week (15-19 May 2023), HubSpot will donate $5 USD to our Foundation.
We are indebted to our partner Australia Post for their support with the delivery of Book Supply packs to remote Communities and their ongoing fundraising.
BECOMING | An ILF Partner
SHARING | Community Fundraisers
Thank you to Murdoch Books who are donating $1 to the ILF for every copy of First Nations Food Companion by Damien Coulthard and Rebecca Sullivan sold. Additionally, the ILF would like to congratulate the recent winning of the Indie Book Award for Illustrated Book of the Year.
We would like to thank Evamor Valley Mudgee, who will be donating $10 from every hotel booking of their premier luxury glamping accommodation to the ILF. We are so grateful for their wonderful support!
A big thank you to our long existing supporters, Blue Island Press who have donated 5% of sales from their beautiful greeting cards designed by Quandamooka artist, Delvene Cockatoo-Collins to our Foundation and who have been supporting us over the last 5 years.
MORE:
Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF)Address: 17/207 Kent Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Tel: (02) 9280 0644
Email: info@ilf.org.au