Book Launch on Thursday Island QLD

Efforts to improve fire awareness inspired the Thursday Island community to write a book: Don’t Let Thursday Island Burn. It will be launched 26 March in a community celebration. The book was created during a series of workshops run by Volunteering Qld – Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Natural Disaster Resilience project in partnership with Queensland Fire and Rescue Service. Volunteering Qld encouraged the students to write stories through competitions and fire-safety demonstrations held at Thursday Island Child Care Centre and Our Lady of Sacred Heart School.

The book is a story which teaches fire-safety lessons using illustrations by children aged 3-13 years.

Don’t Let Thursday Island Burn has been nominated for the 2013 Queensland Closing the Gap award. It will be used by State Emergency Services to teach students.

"This has been a great opportunity for our students to participate in the production of a book that focuses on their community. The students enjoyed the interaction with the visiting poet, Uncle Norm and Mr David Prain and they responded well to the discussions about the content of the book. We appreciate this opportunity and we are very proud of the finished product."

Helen Kett, Principal, OLSH School Thursday Island QLD

Jennie Schoof, Project Coordinator for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders Natural Disaster Resilience Project, was the driving force behind the Thursday Island project. As she traveled with Queensland Fire and Rescue Service, delivering their education program on Thursday Island, she saw the chance to introduce a literacy initiative that would actively engage the children.

“The best way to educate a community about an issue is to have a yarn and tell a story. If you have a powerful message that you need to teach to children, you can tell it through a book,” said Jennie.

David Prain, Station Officer for the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service, agreed: “The concept of a story book format as a learning tool for young school students I believe has great potential and benefit, as the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island peoples learn traditionally by story telling.”

Posted 25 March, 2013

“ILF has realised that literacy is about more than providing books and that success will come when relationships are forged and support is given to the whole community and the families that are part of that community. We are proud to be associated with this group and are confident that the practical support that has been given will be enduring. ”

– Helen Unwin & Mary Vanbee, Principal & Chairperson

The Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF) acknowledges First Nations peoples and recognises their continuous connection to Country, community and culture. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and honour the sharing of traditional stories passed down through generations. In particular, ILF acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands on which our head office is based in Sydney.

The Indigenous Literacy Foundation further recognises the important role that language and storytelling have for culture and community, and the responsibilities that come with our work in these areas. If you notice any information you believe is inaccurate, please don't hesitate to contact us.

The Indigenous Literacy Foundation works as an initiative of the Australian Book Industry with the support of: