May News
Broome, 2022
Image by Wayne Quilliam
Yamandhu marang friend,
The ILF would like to acknowledge Sorry Day on the 26th of May, followed by the Anniversary of the 1967 Referendum on the 27th of May. This marks the beginning of National Reconciliation Week (NRW), a time for us to reflect on and learn about the history, culture, stories, and knowledge of First Nations peoples.
The National Reconciliation Week theme for 2024, Now More Than Ever, is a reminder to all of us that no matter what, the fight for justice and the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will - and must - continue.
We warmly welcome three incredible new staff members who have recently joined the ILF team. Sharon Naparulla Burns is a Pintupi/Luritja and Walpiri woman living on Larrakia Country (Darwin) and has joined as Regional Program Coordinator. Sharon Loo joins us as Program Coordinator - Book Buzz and is a Noongar/Ballardong/Waigil Keip Menang woman living on Whadjuk Country (Perth). Rachael Bailey joins our marketing team as Campaign Lead and will be managing major campaigns such as Indigenous Literacy Day and Busking for Change.
This End of Financial Year (EOFY) we need your help. We are working hard to support remote Communities with books in First Languages which represents culture, language and identity. No matter how big or small, your donation makes a difference. Just $10 allows us to gift one culturally relevant book into the hands of a child in a remote Community. Please help us to continue our important work by making a tax-deductible donation this EOFY.
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
Wiradjuri/Gandagarra
To celebrate UNESCO's second year of the Decade of Indigenous Languages, each month we encourage readers to learn a new word in an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander language.
Illustration from Country Tells Us When...
published by the ILF, 2023.
This month's word is yari
in Yawuru language!
Whale = yari
Phonetics: ya-ree
Yawuru is spoken on the coast south of Rubibi (Broome) in Western Australia.
National Reconciliation Week | 27 May - 3 June
Learn more about this year's National Reconciliation Week theme, explore resources, events and more via the National Reconciliation Week website.
COOEE Festival
We are so excited to be attending this year's COOEE Festival held on Saturday 25 May in Western Sydney. The festival features market stalls, food trucks, art exhibitions, live music, Indigenous guests, kids world, Elders tent and more. We can't wait to connect with the local Community and celebrate the longest living culture on earth!
Sydney Writers Festival
We are currently attending Sydney Writers Festival (20-26 May) held on Gadigal Country! We are grateful for the opportunity to promote our work and connect with attendees about books, writing and ideas. If you are attending, please make sure to pop by the ILF booth and say hello!
Australian Book Industry Awards (ABIA)
We had so much fun attending the Australian Book Industry Awards (ABIA) and it was so great to see all the talented names in the Australian book industry getting the recognition they deserve. A big congratulations to ILF Board Member, Thomas Mayo for winning three awards for his incredible book, The Voice to Parliament Handbook.
Learn how to sing Shordi Krik in English and Kriol!
We invite schools to register for our newest musical fundraiser, Busking for Change! Schools across the country will learn how to sing and play Shordi Krik in English and Kriol, an Aboriginal language spoken in the Top End of Australia, while raising funds for the ILF. Register today and get access to sheet music, charts, videos, lyrics and more!
Ben Bowen on The Cook Up!
ILF CEO Ben Bowen will be featured on the SBS series, The Cook Up with Adam Liaw for a NAIDOC Week Special featuring chef Nornie Bero. Thank you to Nornie and the SBS team for this incredible opportunity!
Sydney Trivia Night - Tickets Available!
Our Sydney Trivia Night will be held on Wednesday 17 July 2024 at Marrickville Town Hall hosted once again by ILF Ambassador Bianca Hunt. Get your tickets now!
Community Launch of Tiwi Seasons with Marius
Next month Tiwi Seasons with Marius will be launched at Tiwi College Fete. The story was written and illustrated by students from Tiwi College and led by ILF Ambassadors Shelley Ware and David Lawrence as part of the 2022 Create Initiative program. We can't wait to celebrate this amazing book with the Tiwi Community!
Thursday Island Trip
This month our team travelled to Thursday Island in the Torres Strait Islands to meet and connect with students and staff from Tagai State College. The students will be involved with a Create Initiative program in June and will be hosted by Penguin Random House and ILF Board Member Leitha Assan. Watch this space!
ILF Collaborates with Barnardos, Oracle, Aboriginal Land Councils, and more
The ILF strategically collaborates with organisations who can support remote Indigenous Communities. Read about how we collaborated with Barnardos, local Aboriginal Land Councils, Deaf Children Australia, Vision Australia, Oracle and Isuzu UTE Australia on our recent Book Buzz trip in New South Wales.
Dr Anita Heiss AM
A big congratulations to ILF Lifetime Ambassador Anita Heiss who was awarded a Doctor of Letters honoris causa in the Faculty of Arts Design & Architecture Graduation Ceremony, from UNSW.
DOBBY
Congratulations to ILF Ambassador DOBBY who has launched his latest single, Matter of Time, under ABC Music. The track is part of his upcoming debut album, WARRANGU: River Story, set to be released on June 14, 2024.
Shelley Ware
Congratulations to ILF Ambassador Shelley Ware who has become an Ambassador for National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children's Day!
Thinking of writing your will? The ILF has partnered with Safewill to provide our supporters with the ability to write their will for just $80 (half price).
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.
We would like to thank the eBay Book Club who have supported our Foundation since 2022. Each month, book clubbers receive a discounted book and are encouraged to share the gift of reading by donating an equivalent amount or utilise their matched volunteer hours. We are so grateful for their support!
Only 11 weeks until the City to Surf, Sydney! Everyone running the City to Surf who raises funds for ILF will receive a free ILF running shirt! Please make sure to contact our Fundraising team to receive your ILF shirt and set up your personalised fundraising page!
We are so grateful for the support of Murdoch Books who are donating $1 for every copy sold of the award-winning First Nations Food Companion by Damien Coulthard and Rebecca Sullivan. To date, an incredible $17,358 has been raised and we are so thankful for their support.
