Access to books can shape a child’s education, identity and sense of belonging. In remote First Nations Communities across Australia, partnerships are helping ensure culturally relevant stories reach the young readers who need them most.
Since 2020, Australia Post has worked alongside the Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF) to deliver books to Communities where access to resources can be limited. Together, they have delivered more than 600,000 books to over 400 remote First Nations Communities nationwide.
Through ILF’s Book Supply program alone, more than 140,000 books were delivered in the past year, including many titles written and illustrated by First Nations creators. Australia Post’s delivery network has transported books to some of the country’s most remote locations, including Jilkminggan in the Northern Territory, Fitzroy Crossing in Western Australia, Birdsville in Queensland and Ceduna in South Australia.
Australia Post General Manager of Community & Stakeholder Engagement, Nicky Tracey, said the partnership is about more than logistics.
“We’re proud to continue our long-standing partnership with the Indigenous Literacy Foundation. Through our delivery network, we help ensure these educational resources continue reaching First Nations children in remote Communities, supporting a love of reading and a strong sense of identity,” Tracey said.
The renewed three-year partnership expands beyond book delivery. Australia Post will continue supporting ILF’s Create Initiative, a program that brings Year 11 and 12 students from remote Communities to Sydney for a week-long workshop. During the program, students write, illustrate and publish their own books with support from ILF Ambassadors and publishing partners.
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The partnership also supports Indigenous Literacy Day, a national celebration of First Nations stories, languages and cultures.
ILF CEO Ben Bowen said the collaboration provides stability and confidence to grow the organisation’s work.
“Our long-term partnership with Australia Post is one we are truly proud to celebrate today and is a testament to our shared values and commitment to invest in Communities today for tomorrow’s opportunities. The extension of this relationship is the foundation for the ILF to confidently grow our investment in the literacy aspirations of Community, knowing that reading opens doors to a world of opportunity,” said Bowen.
The initiative also forms part of Australia Post’s Reconciliation Action Plan and aligns with the United Nations Decade of Indigenous Languages by promoting bilingual books and First Nations storytelling.
At its core, the partnership focuses on ensuring children in remote Communities can see their languages, cultures and experiences reflected in the stories they read and, increasingly, in the stories they create themselves.
Ritchelle is Content Team Manager at Akolade, producing stories for Australia's not-for-profit sector at Third Sector.
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