Indigenous Literacy Foundation

Indigenous Literacy Foundation
PredecessorIndigenous Literacy Project
Formation2011
FounderSuzy Wilson
TypeNonprofit
HeadquartersUltimo, New South Wales, Australia
Co-Chairperson
Marnie O'Bryan
Co-Chairperson
Tony Dreise
Key people
Ben Bowen, Chief Executive Officer
Mike Milnes, Chief Operating Officer
AwardsAstrid Lindgren Memorial Award, 2024
Websitehttps://www.indigenousliteracyfoundation.org.au

The Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF) is an Australian not-for-profit founded in 2011 that works to address the educational disadvantages faced by Indigenous Australian children and young people by providing access to books and literacy programs.

ILF was set up in 2011, taking over from the Indigenous Literacy Project (ILP) which had been associated with The Fred Hollows Foundation. In 2010 the ILP had raised $607,000.[1] Juliet Rogers, formerly CEO of Murdoch Books, was the inaugural chair.[2]

Patrons of the ILF, as of 2021,[3] are Quentin Bryce AD CVO (appointed February 2015)[4] and June Oscar AO (appointed September 2019).[5]

Lifetime ambassadors of the ILF include Justine Clarke, Andy Griffiths, Kate Grenville, Anita Heiss, Alison Lester, David Malouf, Shelley Ware and Josh Pyke.[3]

In September 2021 Karen Williams, who had been member of the ILP and executive director of the ILF, stepped down[6] and was replaced by Ben Bowen as Chief Executive Officer, with Mike Milnes appointed Chief Operating Officer.[7]

The ILF won the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award in 2024.[8] It was one of several Australian nominees for this award in both 2021 and 2022.[9][10]

Indigenous Literacy Day

Each year, the ILF organises and promotes Indigenous Literacy Day, held on Wednesday in the first week of September.[11] The day is meant for raising awareness of literacy in remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, as well as celebrating Indigenous stories, languages and cultures.[12]

Mentorship programs

The ILF runs three programs for young First Nations people to create and publish books. [13]

The Creative Initiative program is for high school students, and involves a three-to-five day workshop in which students write, illustrate and publish their own book.[13]

The Pamela Lofts Bequest Workshop assists young First Nations people from remote communities in Western Australia and the Northern Territory to travel to Sydney, New South Wales, for a week-long art workshop. Pamela Lofts was an Australian children's book illustrator who left a significant bequest to the ILF when she died in 2012.[14]

In 2025, the ILF launched the Talent Pathways program, for 17-to-24 year old First Nations young people from remote communities who are not presently in education or training. Four young creatives are chosen to participate every two years, to learn and gain experience in publishing, graphic design or writing, as preparation for their future careers.[15]

References

  1. ↑ "ILP to become independent foundation; Logo competition announced". Books+Publishing. 15 March 2011. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
  2. ↑ "New roles for Rogers". Books+Publishing. 22 March 2011. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
  3. 1 2 "About the Indigenous Literacy Foundation | ILF history | who is ILF". Indigenous Literacy Foundation. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
  4. ↑ "Quentin Bryce joins ILF as its Patron". Indigenous Literacy Foundation. 6 February 2015. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
  5. ↑ "June Oscar AO to be Co-Patron". Indigenous Literacy Foundation. 4 September 2019. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
  6. ↑ "Williams to step down as ILF commits to First Nations leadership". Books+Publishing. 15 June 2021. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
  7. ↑ "Milnes appointed ILF COO". Books+Publishing. 13 October 2021. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
  8. ↑ "Bologna 2024: Indigenous Literacy Foundation Wins Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award". Publishers Weekly. 9 April 2024. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
  9. ↑ "Six Australian nominees for 2021 Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award". Books+Publishing. 30 October 2020. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
  10. ↑ "Australians nominated for 2022 Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award". Books+Publishing. 25 October 2021. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
  11. ↑ "Indigenous Literacy Day". www.indigenous.gov.au. 3 September 2014. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
  12. ↑ Foundation, Indigenous Literacy (27 July 2026). "How to celebrate Indigenous Literacy Day in your classroom". Teacher Magazine. Retrieved 25 August 2026.
  13. 1 2 ""This generosity is changing lives": Shelley Ware on football, storytelling and the Indigenous Literacy Foundation". auspost.com.au. Retrieved 25 August 2026.
  14. ↑ Morse, Callan (8 November 2023). "Young Indigenous creatives learn skills behind digital art and storytelling at innovative workshop". National Indigenous Times. Retrieved 25 August 2026.
  15. ↑ Guenzler, Joseph (15 April 2025). "Talent Pathways Program launched to support Indigenous creatives". National Indigenous Times. Retrieved 25 August 2026.
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