NAVIGATION

ILF | UPDATING | New Books, New Board Members, New Wills | February 2024

[Edited extract from public address]

PUBLISHING | Moli bin git stak (Molly gets stuck) | Available Now!

Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF) are so excited to launch Moli bin git stak (Molly gets stuck)!

One of our most beloved books and characters, Moli det bigibigi, is the first ever ILF picture book to have a sequel!

Written in Kriol and English and based on a true story, it follows the adventures of a real-life pig called Moli.

Looking for shade on a hot day in Binjari, Moli takes shelter under a local van, but ends up getting stuck!

Will she manage to get free?
“This is my second book and I think I’m the first one to write a second book – I just want to continue on writing books. It’s really important to me to share the Kriol language to help our Indigenous Children. It’s really important for our little ones and when they get older, they might, you know, do something like write a book too.” Author Karen Manbulloo and Molly the pig, 2023

PUBLISHING | Four New Bilingual Books!

We are excited to launch four new bilingual books written and illustrated by women at the Baya Gawiy Children and Family Centre in Fitzroy Crossing, Western Australia. 
 
Mayarda (Pelicans)
Featuring beautiful illustrations of pelicans and fish, learn to count in Gooniyandi with this playful song book. Children can count the hungry pelicans and the unfortunate fish that the pelicans want to eat. The playful tune will have the whole family singing along.

The book is a bilingual board book, written in Gooniyandi and English. 
 
Kurrartuwarnti (Brolgas)
In the wet season, a family of brolgas make their nests in the long grass. They look after their eggs, search for food, and dance together while defying any foes who might want to eat them up. 

The book is a bilingual board book, written in Walmajarri and English.

Manyi Nganyjaali (Bush Tomatoes)
Manyi Nganyjaali (Bush Tomatoes) is a snapshot of daily Community life as three cousins head out in a red car, searching for a feed of juicy bush tomatoes. This delightful board book shares a snapshot of everyday life in a remote Community. 

The book is a bilingual board book, written in Gooniyandi and English.

Jirntipirriny jaa Lamparn Parri (Willy Wagtail and the Little Boy)
One morning, a little boy and his family go looking for bush berries. The boy wanders off on his own, following the calls of a willy wagtail. Learn more about life on Country with the little boy and his family. The story emphasises the importance of family and belonging.

The book is a bilingual children's picture book written in Walmajarri and English. 

INTRODUCING | New Board Members

ILF is delighted to announce the appointment of three new Board Members commencing February 2024.

We warmly welcome these three outstanding individuals who each bring a wealth of experience and wisdom that will support the ILF in the next phase of our strategic vision.

Thomas Mayo
Thomas Mayo is a Kaurareg Aboriginal, and Kulkalgal, Erubamle Torres Strait Islander man. He is a best selling author and Assistant National Secretary of the Maritime Union of Australia. Thomas has long advocated for social justice issues, including Indigenous and asylum seekers rights. Thomas is a signatory of the Uluru Statement from the Heart and has been a leading advocate since its inception in May 2017.
 
Amara Barnes
Amara is a proud Wiradyuri yinaa (woman). For the past decade Amara has worked across multiple sectors and industries, including in media, tertiary, community, non-profit and private organisations, towards meaningful and positive outcomes for First Nations peoples. 
Amara is an advocate for First Nations self-determination, through Nation re-building, including the preservation and practice of languages and cultures. She is passionate about re-learning Wiradyuri language and passing it on to her gudha-galang (children).
 
Nicole Abadee
Nicole Abadee was a barrister and then legal academic for 20 years, with a background in International Law and Human Rights Law. Nicole has worked in the book industry, working as a senior editor at Penguin Random House. She is currently the books writer for Good Weekend Magazine as well as a festival moderator, interviewing writers at writers’ festivals and Australian literary events.

Nicole was heavily involved in the Yes Campaign for the 2023 Referendum for a First Nations Voice to Parliament, and co-founded Writers for the Voice, an advocacy group with over 700 members. 

Strong governance is critical to the ILF to achieve aspirational Community led targets to enact Community literacy journeys. I look forward to the opportunity to work closely with Nicole, Amara and Thomas in their capacity as ILF Board members.

OFFERING | Write your Will online for FREE | Monday 18 March 2024–Sunday 31 March 2024

Supporters of the Indigenous Literacy Foundation have helped us to run our programs around the country – bringing books and literacy resources to children in remote Communities around Australia.

To show our gratitude, we would like to offer you the opportunity to write your will for free online, with our partner, Safewill – an Australian owned operation based in Sydney.

Safewill has made it easier and more affordable for the 70% of Australians that don’t have a legally binding Will to protect the people and organisations that mean the most to them.  

This offer to write your Will for free will only be available for 2 weeks.

Join the free webinar on Monday 18 March at 12.30pm to learn about:
  • the importance of making a will
  • the process of writing your online will 
  • dispelling the myths about making an online will.
We look forward to seeing you online!

Mandaang guwu,
Ben Bowen, Chief Executive Officer

MORE:

Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF)
Address: 17/207 Kent Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Tel: (02) 9280 0644
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The Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF) acknowledges First Nations peoples and recognises their continuous connection to Country, community and culture. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and honour the sharing of traditional stories passed down through generations. In particular, ILF acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands on which our head office is based in Sydney.