News from the ILF
June 2022
Photo by Mamanata Consulting
Yamandhu marang Friend,
This month we are releasing a second round of this years Book Supply packs. Due to an exceptional demand for our 2022 packs, we have made the unprecedented decision to order more books to reach those organisations and Communities that missed out earlier in the year. A big thank you to our supporters. Without your donations we would not be able to have a second release for Book Supply.
In more exciting news, we are pleased to announce the publication of a new children's book available for purchase, The Monsters of McKyus, written by 14 year old McKyus Levi who lives on Moa Island in the Torres Strait. McKyus has been diagnosed with autism and can have trouble with communication, reading and writing. He is also a talented artist, and is able to express his understanding of different topics through illustration. Read more about the book and purchase it here.
Next month we will be celebrating NAIDOC week (3 - 10 July) and welcome all Sydney-siders to join us at International Tower 3 at Barangaroo to celebrate with the ILF team and hear from ILF Ambassador Kirsten Banks. More details in the 'Our News' section below.
Plans for this year's Indigenous Literacy Day celebrations on Wednesday 7 September are well underway. Once again, we are producing a national digital event and for the first time since 2019, we are returning to the Sydney Opera House for a live celebration. Stay tuned for more details.
This End of Financial Year (EOFY) we need your help. We are working hard to support remote Communities with books that inspire curiosity, spark imaginations, and promote a love for reading and learning. No matter how big or small, your donation makes a difference. A $100 donation allows us to put 10 culturally relevant books into the hands of children in a remote Community. Please help us to continue our important work by making a donation this EOFY. Donate now.
Thank you for joining our journey and sharing our vision that reading opens doors to opportunities and choices.
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 cockatoo in Mangarrayi language!
cockatoo = ngerrijmin
Pronounced: nerrij-nerrij-min
Enjoy the Barramundi song with Jessica Mauboy to learn how to say ngerrijmin!
(skip to 16mins)
Winthali Available Now!
Winthali, a retelling of a traditional Bunuba story about how fire came to be shared across the country is now available to purchase. Winthali is a bilingual book written in English and Bunuba. A QR code is in the book so readers can also listen to the story in both languages. Read more about the book here.
Storm Warning Shortlisted
Lauren Boyle and Alyssa Mason's Storm Warning has been shortlisted for the Chief Minister’s NT Book Awards, in the Children’s/Young Adult category. Congratulations to these young First Nations creators.
Karrkin (My Body) and Jarrampa Shortlisted
We are so pleased that Karrkin (My Body) and Jarrampa have been shortlisted for Speech Pathology Australia's Book of the Year, in the 0 - 3 age category and 5 - 8 age category respectively. We look forward to hearing the announcement of the winner in October.
ILF Attend the Australian Booksellers Association (ABA) Conference
It was great to connect with our supporters from the books and publishing industry and attend an in-person event again at the ABA conference. We would like to thank those who participated in the silent auction. We raised an incredible amount of almost $5000 which will allow us to put 500 culturally relevant books into the hands of kids in remote Communities.
Celebrate NAIDOC with ILF!
Please join us in celebrating NAIDOC at the International Towers, Lobby 3, Barangaroo from 11.30am - 1.30pm on Thursday 7 July. Bring your appetite, as there will be complimentary cupcakes available, courtesy of Goanna Hut, plus the chance to win one of five gift packs donated by some of our generous supporters with a $10 raffle ticket.
Illustrating Books in Fitzroy Crossing with Alison Lester
Learn more about how children's author and ILF Ambassador Alison Lester has worked with ILF to produce stories by and for Communities.
"So Many Wonderful Books!"
Read about the impact of Book Supply with speech pathologist, Kelly Smith who orders books for Marathon Health services.
Ngarukuruwala Song Women
ILF’s Regional Coordinator in the Tiwi Islands, Tictac, visited the Ngarukuruwala Song Women who are creating a songbook called Murli La - Songs and Stories of the Tiwi Islands with Genevieve Campbell. To end the day, they sing together in joyful celebration. What a way to finish a day's work!
We would like to thank Deloitte's Wishing Well. Their dollar matched workplace giving program raised $15,000. Thank you to all staff who elected to choose our Foundation for this generous donation.
We give our heart-felt thanks to Grace who are supporting us with another generous donation of $50,000.
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. Learn more about how they supported ILF in 2021 here.
We are an independant charity and rely solely on the generosity of donors. It is only with support that we can continue this vital work. Thank you.
A big thank you to Murray Henman who organised a trivia night earlier this month to raise funds for our Foundation. This is the fifth year in a row Murray has run a trivia night and raised funds for ILF!
"Having been an enthusiastic reader for all my life, I am aware of how reading can open your mind to other’s stories and how it can open up opportunities in life."
A special thank you to those who have registered to fundraise for the ILF while running the City2Surf. Your efforts are greatly appreciated. We will be gifting the first 50 runners willing to support the ILF with a special ILF running shirt!
Thank you to Incu clothing. We are so grateful to be the chosen charity for your limited edition Worms Book Club edition. Incu will be donating five per cent of sales to the ILF!
