ILF book pack winners announced!

Thank you to everyone who entered our Children’s Book Competition with the Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF) to celebrate 300,000 books delivered to 356 remote First Nations communities. We enjoyed reading your responses and learning about your favourite books that were once read to you, or that you now share with your family. Your favourites varied from old classics like The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle and Snugglepot and Cuddlepie by May Gibbs, to newer titles like Somebody’s Land by Adam Goodes and Come Together by Isaiah Firebrace.  
  
Congratulations to the five winners, whose words skilfully captured the magic of their favourite childhood reads: 

• Steve Russell, VIC 
• Richard Harrison, VIC 
• Karen Godfrey, SA 
• Narelle Bragason, NSW 
• Debra Florio, SA 

Each of the winners has been sent a pack of 12 books that celebrate First Nations authors and illustrators.  
 
Narelle Bragason from the Injury Management team in Redfern, shared her excitement with us upon receiving her book pack. "I am so happy I took part in this competition. The collection of first nations books are not only meaningful stories but pieces of artwork. My favourite so far is ‘No Way Yirrikipay!!’ by children from Milikapiti School, Melville Island with Alison Lester." 
  
When asked about the significance of winning a book pack, proud Wudjubaluk Wergaia man Steve Russell said, "National NAIDOC Week 2023 theme is “For Our Elders” the knowledge keepers that pass down this knowledge to the young. These days that’s not always possible, so to win these brand new fun ways of passing Indigenous knowledge down to all young Australians is an honour." 
  
Melbourne-based Richard Harrison was also thrilled to have won a book pack to share with his children, including his son (featured with Richard in the photo below).  
 
"Moving to New Zealand from England when I was 10 and then to Australia in my 30s, I’ve always taken an interest in the Indigenous cultures of my new home,” he said. “Now I have children, it’s really important to me that they know about their heritage and the original peoples of the country they live in. Really looking forward to getting into these together!"  
  
Winner Debra Florio’s son, also expressed similar sentiments, noting his enthusiasm to read the books, which he thinks "will help [him] with [his] learning progress". 

If you’d like to get your hands on some beautiful ILF titles for your children, check out the ILF online shop.