Australia Post has extended its partnership with the Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF) after celebrating the delivery of over 600,000 books to more than 400 remote First Nations Communities across Australia.
Australia Post and the ILF have been partnering since 2020, and this new three-year partnership will continue their joint commitment to improving access to culturally relevant literacy resources.
Last year alone, Australia Post delivered over 140,000 books to First Nations Communities through the ILF's Book Supply program, which included many titles by First Nations authors and illustrators. Australia Post's nationwide network ensures these stories reach children in even the most remote areas. To date, Australia Post has helped deliver books to locations including Jilkminggan in the Northern Territory, Fitzroy Crossing in Western Australia, Birdsville in Queensland and Ceduna in South Australia.
The renewed partnership will also include supporting ILF's Create Initiative, which brings year 11 and 12 students from remote Communities to Sydney for a week-long workshop where they write, illustrate and publish a book with support from ILF Ambassadors and publishing partners. Australia Post will also support Indigenous Literacy Day, ILF's national celebration of First Nations stories, languages and cultures.
Australia Post General Manager of Community & Stakeholder Engagement, Nicky Tracey, said the partnership plays an important role in encouraging literacy and strengthening connections to Indigenous language and storytelling.
"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," Ms Tracey said.
ILF CEO, Ben Bowen, said the partnership continues to play an important role in shaping the work of the ILF.
"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.
Australia Post and its partnership with ILF forms part of Australia Post's Reconciliation Action Plan by celebrating the United Nations Decade of Indigenous Languages and promoting First Nations storytelling with bilingual books.
To learn more about the partnership, visit https://auspost.com.au/about-us/supporting-communities/literacy-education/indigenous-literacy-foundation
