News from the ILF
April 2022
Tiwi Islands, 2021. Photography by Tiffany Parker
Yamandhu marang Friend,
Hoping you had a relaxing and safe Easter break and Anzac long weekend. This month we would like to welcome our new part-time Office Manager, Belinda St Flour, who has begun managing our busy Sydney office.
Our Book Supply invitations were sent out late in March and by early April there were an incredible 94,996 books ordered from 355 Communities. The interest is so strong that we are currently working on a second release of Book Supply packs to meet the requests from schools and organisations that missed out in the first round.
In other exciting news, two of our non-commercial titles, 'Jarrampa' and 'Big Fat Mummy Goanna' will soon become commercially available. Both books were launched in Community last
year to much fanfare and celebration. Education and Development lead, Vicki Hyman, at the local Centre said "The children and families rejoiced, they were beside themselves with happiness that the Walmajarri language is being honoured in this way.”
This month we also launched two Build Your Library book packs. The books are by talented young Indigenous mob from the Northern Territory and Tiwi Islands. Each sale supports the authors, as well as remote Communities with literacy programs and they are a great read for young adults .
ILF is being rebranded later this year and we would love to
hear your thoughts and experiences with our Foundation to help guide the design process. Click here for the survey. It is anonymous so please share your thoughts and help us make our branding even better. A big thank you to the supporters who have already provided feedback.
Please keep in mind that the end of financial year is soon approaching, and we ask if you can, please consider donating at this time.
Mandaang guwu,
Ben Bowen
Chief Executive Officer
To celebrate UNESCO's first year of the Decade of Indigenous Languages, each month we will encourage readers to learn a new word in either an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander language.
This month's word is crocodile in Tiwi language!
Crocodile = Yirrikipayi
Pronounced: Yirri-ka-pay. The 'rr' is used with a rolled tongue.
Download the audio version here.
Meet Book Buzz Coordinator, Jolene!
Jolene shares why Book Buzz is critically important for the development of early literacy and making connection with Community. Read more about Jolene's story here.
Save the Date for Indigenous Literacy Day!
Indigenous Literacy Day (ILD) will be held on 7 September 2022. We are currently planning this exciting day so please watch this space.
Making the Most of Book Supply
Check out how students from Clyde Fenton Primary School in Katherine, NT are enjoying books from our Book Supply program. Read the story here.
Graphic Novelists attending Brisbane Writers Festival
This year the authors and illustrators of Mixed Feelings and Storm Warning will be attending Brisbane Writers Festival (3-8 May). Check out the event here.
Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) Conference - May 16-19
If you are heading to the ALIA conference, please pop over to the ILF booth, (#71) and say hello to Jolene and Emma.
New Dolls in Book Buzz Kits
We have updated our Book Buzz kits with new dolls by Jarjum Dollies. Business owner, Savannah's goal in creating the dolls is "to allow the diversity of First Nations peoples to be seen in something as simple as a doll, so that we can genuinely feel valued and visible".
Tiwi Strongwomen
ILFs regional coordinator, Tictac, spent time with the Ngarukuruwala Songwomen as they worked on their new book 'Murli La' (Let's Go!) Songs and Stories of the Tiwi Islands. Pictured is the Pularumpi mob checking spelling and translations, then ending the day at the beach. Tictac came outside to where everyone was waiting for a lift home to find them singing and dancing. Check out the joyful singing here.
ALS Library Services has been supporting the ILF by handling and shipping our commercially available stock and Book Buzz materials for over 7 years. We can't thank them enough. Read more here.
We would like to thank MRI Software who have granted our Foundation $5000 which will see 500 culturally appropriate books delivered to remote Communities across Australia in 2022.
Thank you to Gristmill Productions who have donated to our Book Buzz program from several of their production sales and their 'Gristgive' website. "Reading and writing is at the core of what we do as creators and we would like to support that in children wherever possible."
The Quinn Femelle Private Ancillary Fund has donated $25,000 to our Foundation on the behalf of the founder's 7-year-old granddaughter, Frankie who believes "that everyone should have the right and correct resources to enjoy an educated childhood". A big thank you to young Frankie!
A special thank you to Enviroplus who despite the challenges of COVID continued to donate a percentage of sales of their high rating green cleaning products to ILF. Since July 2021 they have donated an incredible $48,000.
Our partner, Australia Post has run a successful campaign encouraging primary school students to experience Aboriginal language and storytelling through a reading of ILF published book, 'Moli detbigibigi' by their local Posties. Read here about Australia Post's visit to a primary school in Mt Gambier, South Australia.
This month we would like to thank Kyogle Writers Festival (12-15 May) who will be donating funds from their poetry competition entry fees to the ILF. Make sure to check out the festival!
Love is in the air and Ben and Meg are soon to tie the knot. Instead of gifts they are asking family and friends to help put books into the hands of kids in remote Communities. Check out the fundraiser here.
Built have raised an incredible $3000 for the ILF through their corporate breakfast event. As part of the event, Built provided a $10 donation to ILF on behalf of each person, instead of a customary gift. A huge thank you to the team!
