News from the ILF ![]() Book Buzz Group, 2023. Image supplied by Book Buzz Community. Yamandhu marang Friend, 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. 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!” Pre-order your copy here. 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. Learn more here. 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 ![]() ![]() 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. ![]() Illustration from Colourdywun, This month's word is day in Wiradjuri Country is in central New South Wales. ![]() 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! Click the video to check out a sneak peek of Andy's virtual visit here. Bianca Hunt supports the ILF on 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. Learn more about Bianca here. 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. Read more about their approach to engaging their school community here. Save the Date for Indigenous Literacy Day! 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! ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() 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. Learn about the importance of our Book Supply packs here. 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! 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. Read more about the story here. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() 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! Learn more about her book here.
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() 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 (15th-19th May), 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. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() 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. |