June
Newsletter
This month was a big one for the ILF! As a quick recap, we recognised National Reconciliation Week, shared new Busking for Change resources, met educators at EDUtech, shared ILF’s work in Norway, joined the AIATSIS Summit, and celebrated three award-nominated books.
CEO's Notes
Yamandhu marang friend,
June was a powerful month for reflection and action. We began with National Reconciliation Week, a time to reflect on our shared history and work together toward a stronger future. This year’s theme, Bridging Now to Next, encouraged us to learn from the past and build what comes next, together.
We also launched new Busking for Change resources, including a sing-along of Country Tells Us When… and classroom videos with ILF Ambassador Justine Clarke. These help bring music, language, and culture into the classroom.
As we approach the End of the Financial Year, we invite you to support our work. Your donation helps us to deliver books in First Languages, to children in remote Communities. From now until 30 June, your donation will be doubled, helping us to deliver twice as many books to remote Communities.
Just $10 from now until 30 June gifts two culturally relevant books into the hands of a child in a remote Community. Every book delivered makes a difference.
Mandaang guwu,
Ben Bowen
Chief Executive Officer
Wiradjuri/Gandangarra
ILF News
WEXFO and Norwegian Literature Festival
ILF CEO Ben Bowen, Ambassador Jared Thomas and Programs Manager Tictac Moore attended the WEXFO and the Norwegian Literature Festival to share ILF’s work in Language and storytelling. It was a great chance to connect with Sámi voices and learn from each other to support future generations.
EDUtech Australia
Thank you to everyone who visited our stall at EDUtech! We enjoyed connecting, sharing our work, and having impactful conversations with educators. A special thanks to our CEO, Ben Bowen, who spoke about ILF’s work and the impact we’re making.
AIATSIS Summit 2025
Earlier this month, we attended the AIATSIS Summit and took part in a powerful conversation about sharing stories across generations and the importance of keeping our Home languages strong.
Karajia & Environment Awards
We’re proud to share that The Moon Story, ngayawanj bagan-nggul, ngayawanj barra barra-nggul: We belong to the land, We belong to the sea, and bagan, barra barra, mirriwarr: The Boys Who Found Their Way, were shortlisted for the Karajia & Environment Awards for Children’s Literature. Each book celebrates Country, Culture, and Language. Thank you to The Wilderness Society and everyone involved.
Writing and Drawing Workshops in Ceduna
This month, our team travelled to Ceduna in South Australia with ILF Ambassador Shelley Ware to host writing and drawing workshops with the Community. We also had so much fun capturing footage for the Indigenous Literacy Day FILM with this Community. Stay tuned for more information!
Illustration Workshop in Warakurna
Our team also travelled to Warakurna in Western Australia this month to host illustration workshops and work with the Community to publish a story. We can't wait to share more about this Community in the Indigenous Literacy Day FILM!
2025 Copyright Agency First Nations Fellowship
Congratulations to Darren Moncrieff, ILF's Talent Pathways Program Manager! Darren is one of 12 people chosen for the 2025 Copyright Agency First Nations Fellowship. Darren will spend a week working on his new book Redtails in the Sunset later this year.
ILF NAIDOC Event in Sydney
We welcome all Sydney-siders to join us this NAIDOC Week, to celebrate and connect with the ILF team, browse our books and have the chance to win raffle prizes! Come and see us at International Tower 3 Barangaroo on Wednesday 9 July, between 11.30 am and 1.30 pm!
Word of The Month
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.
Kriol is a language spoken mostly in the Northern Territory and Western Australia. It’s the most widely spoken Aboriginal language in Australia, with about 20,000 speakers.
Illustrations from The Moon Story, ILF, 2024.
Community Fundraising
A big thank you to Elizabeth Richards, who has raised $12,000 for the ILF! The money was raised through sales of the 2024 Teacher Planner, featuring artwork by Indigenous artist and educator Mitch Francis. Thank you to our amazing teaching Community for your support!
The Bondi Beach Book Swap was back for its second year during Reconciliation Week 2025! The community came together to swap books, share stories, and support ILF. Big thanks to Evelyn, The Depot Bondi and the local businesses for raising over $1,500!
Special Thanks
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. Last year, we celebrated the milestone of delivering their 500,000th book to remote Communities across Australia through our Book Supply program.
Thank you to the Steadfast Foundation for a grant of $10,000 towards our Book Supply program - this will enable us to get 1,000 culturally relevant books to remote Communities around the country.
