Bookshop responses to Indigenous Literacy Day

'Raising funds and awareness for literacy-related projects within Australia is a major focus of the Readings Foundation. Indigenous Literacy Day is therefore an important day in the Readings calendar. We encourage as many of our customers as possible to donate to this vital cause on the day by buying a book at one of our shops or online. This year we raised $2742.30.'

Mark Rubbo, Managing Director

‘The Indigenous Literacy Project is such a good project to be involved in, and it’s good to know that we’re helping and are part of a community addressing this cause. Indigenous Literacy Day is an easy event to be involved in too, and easily incorporated into our newsletters and normal promotion.’

Adrian Hardingham, Manager

'Having been part of the project right at the beginning, we’re delighted to see Industry wide support for it now, and very proud to be part of it.'

Derek Dryden, Owner

'A very good project to be part of, and Indigenous Literacy Day is a good opportunity for us to promote the cause and raise awareness with our customers. It’s particularly good to have a specific day to do this.'

Jo Chandler, Manager

'Boomerang Books is an enthusiastic supporter of Indigenous Literacy Day, held annually on 1 September. Our business is distinctly Australian, prides itself on its social and environmental contributions, and shares the name of a traditional Aboriginal hunting weapon, so it makes perfect sense for Boomerang Books to align itself with this wonderful cause.

In 2010, we promoted Indigenous Literacy Day heavily via our online marketing channels, including our mailing list (12,000+ subscribers) and on our growing Facebook and Twitter pages. This year we pledged to donate 40% of all takings (not profits) on Indigenous Literacy Day.

Our customers were very responsive to the cause, with many choosing to purchase their books on Indigenous Literacy Day, rather than wait for 20% Discount Day, which was scheduled two days later. The end result was a donation of $1342.63 for the Indigenous Literacy Project.

Boomerang Books looks forward to topping this figure in 2011 and hopes to increase its involvement in the project in coming years. '

Clayton Wehner, Managing Director

'Wednesday 1 September was a busy day. Traditionally Wednesday is our quietest day, but figures were increased that day.'

Linda Joy, Manager

'ILD is just me doing my bit.'

Scott Whitmont, Manager

'I think it’s really gaining some momentum and it’s very well organised. The word really gets out.'

Ellen Spauding, Manager

'We held a combined event with Jindabyne Central School. It was a community book fair and parents came and purchased books for their children. It was also supported by the tourists and the local community. Half the money went to the school and half to the Indigenous Literacy Project. ! September was my mother’s birthday and she worked very hard for reconciliation. When I saw the date I thought we have to have a book fair. It was a lovely day and there was an article and photograph in the Summit Sun. It said that is was like a bridge between the children in isolated communities and the children at Jindabyne. I was really proud of our involvement and the amount we raised. The community in Jindabyne and the visitors were really supportive. We’ll definitely do something next year, and maybe get some of the other schools involved as well.'

Shaaron Ellis, Owner

'This was the first year we have participated in Indigenous Literacy Day. We had thirty kids here for story telling, and reading Bronwen Bancroft and Indigenous picture books. People were very supportive. From my point of view it is something we would like to support more. Next year I would like to involve adults as well.'

Paul McDonald, Manager

'We support it and want to continue to support it.'

Benny Walters, Manager

'We promoted it in our newsletter and to schools, and I am going to report the day on the front of our next newsletter. I think it’s a worthwhile cause. We feel good to be part of the helping hand and so do our customers.'

Natasha Boyd, Co-Owner

'I think it’s a good idea and benefits the schools as well. I think having an opportunity to do something is great.'

Margaret Tiller, Manager

'I think it’s one of the most important projects that we support, and this is probably the one I am most committed to. Next year we have decided to hold an event in late summer/early autumn when there are a lot of tourists around. Usually the local newspaper gives us a free plug too.'

Lilitu Babalon, Owner

'We were thrilled to be supporting Indigenous Literacy Day and our customers were delighted that we were supporting it too. Overall it was a positive experience and we definitely want to be supporters annually.'

Stephanie Mallen, Owner

'I think it’s a very worthwhile cause. Quite a few people picked up the brochure and took it with them. We gave out quite a lot of brochures. We’ll always do it.'

Anne Browne, Manager