News from the ILF
February 2024
Author of Moli det bigibigi (Molly the pig), Karen Munballoo and Molly the pig. 2023.
Yamandhu marang Friend,
We are pleased to announce that this month we have some very exciting news! We have launched FIVE new bilingual books written and illustrated from remote Communities and we also welcome five incredible First Nations talents joining as ILF Ambassadors.
After the incredible success of Moli det bigibigi (Molly the pig), we are pleased to launch the highly anticipated sequel, Moli bin git stak (Molly gets stuck). It is a bilingual story in both English and Kriol that showcases a real personality of Community life. Molly is a real pig that lives at Kalano Community which makes this story very special to the Community.
This month we also launched four new bilingual books from Fitzroy Crossing Community including three new board books for babies and toddlers and one children's picture book. Mayarda (Pelicans), Kurrartuwarnti (Brolgas) and Manyi Nganyjaali (Bush Tomatoes) are bilingual board books showcasing stories from Community. Jirntipirriny jaa Lamparn Parri (Willy Wagtail and the Little Boy) is a children's picture book that emphasises the importance of family and belonging.
We are pleased to announce singer Emma Donovan, actor Thomas Weatherall, artist Ryhia Dank, media personality Bianca Hunt and musician DOBBY have joined the ILF as Ambassadors. We also warmly welcome three new board members, Thomas Mayo, Amara Barnes and Nicole Abadee. We couldn’t be more honoured and excited to welcome these talents and leaders to the ILF team. Learn more about the new ILF Ambassadors and Board Members in the 'Our News' section below.
Next month, we launch our Book Supply program for 2024 and aim to gift over 136,800 culturally relevant books into 430 remote Communities. We would like to thank our ongoing supporters who have allowed us to gift culturally relevant books into remote Communities and publish their stories.
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.
This month's word is pig
in Kriol language!
Pig = bigibigi
Phonetics: bigi-bigi
Kriol language is spoken in the Top End and Kimberly regions of Northern Australia. It is the most widely spoken Aboriginal language in Australia today.
Five Incredible First Nations Talents Become ILF Ambassadors
We are pleased to announce artist Ryhia Dank, musician DOBBY, singer Emma Donovan, actor Thomas Weatherall, and TV personality Bianca Hunt have joined as ILF Ambassadors!
Our First Picture Book Sequel!
One of our most beloved books and characters, Moli det bigibigi, is the first ever ILF picture book to have a sequel! This month we launched Moli bin git stak (Molly gets stuck), a bilingual story about Molly the pig.
Welcoming Three Trailblazing
New Board Members
We are honoured to welcome three new Board members, Amara Barnes, Thomas Mayo and Nicole Abadee. These new leaders in their respective fields will bring a range of different knowledge to the work of the ILF.
Great Book Swap 2024
We are so excited to launch Great Book Swap this year as we have FOUR NEW LANGUAGE HOUSES as well as a very special prize for all participating schools! This year we aim to raise $180,000 to gift over 18,000 culturally relevant books to remote Communities. Registrations open 12 March 2024.
Busking for Change 2024
Join in the fun of our newest musical fundraiser, Busking for Change! Registrations will open next month and schools across the country will learn how to sing Shordi Krik in both English and Kriol language!
Stay tuned for more information and pre-registrations.
First Book Buzz Trip Post Covid
Next month, ILF's Book Buzz Manager, Jolene, will visit two playgroups from central New South Wales who are currently accessing our Book Buzz program. This will be a great chance to connect and strengthen our relationship with these Communities and families, and learn more about their unique approach to Book Buzz.
Book Supply 2024
Next month, our team will be sending out invitations to our current remote Community contacts to order their Book Supply packs. This year we aim to gift over 136,800 culturally relevant books into 430 remote Communities. Learn more about Book Supply here.
Josh Pyke
Congratulations to ILF Ambassador Josh Pyke on the release of his new single, As It Was (cover). Watch the music video here.
Thank you to Safewill who are offering ILF supporters to write their will for free online. This offer will only be available for 2 weeks from Monday 18 March 2024 to Sunday 31 March 2024. Join the free webinar on Monday 18th March at 12.30pm to learn more.
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 LUME Melbourne for donating a percentage of their funds from ILF Ambassador, Wayne Quilliam's curated show, Connection, to the ILF. An incredible amount of over $15,000 was raised which will help us to deliver over 1,500 culturally relevant books to remote Communities across Australia.
We are so grateful for the support of Atomi who, as part of their inaugural Tech in Schools survey, donated $5 for every response to the ILF. The survey results were used to create their 2024 Tech in schools report, which explores the impact of AI, online learning and technology in the classroom, and the opportunities and challenges they present educators.
A special thank you to the six budding authors at Shore Preparatory School who generously donated 100% of their book sale donations to the ILF! These young authors recently saw their first works published as part of a writing project under the mentorship of author, Tim Harris.
We would like to thank the wonderful staff and owners at Kickaboom, a cafe in Glenbrook, NSW, for supporting the ILF. Their staff chose to donate their penalty rates earned on 26th January to us and the owners also added to the donation. We are so appreciative of their support.
