The ILF was founded by Suzy Wilson, a former teacher and education consultant who owns Riverbend Books. We are a not‑for‑profit charity which respects the unique place of Australia's First People and draws on the expertise of the Australian book industry.
June is a proud Bunuba woman from the remote town of Fitzroy Crossing in Western Australia’s Kimberley region. She is a strong advocate for Indigenous Australian languages, social justice, women’s issues, and has worked tirelessly to reduce Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). June has held a raft of influential positions including Deputy Director of the Kimberley Land Council, chair of the Kimberley Language Resource Centre and the Kimberley Interpreting Service and Chief Investigator with WA’s Lililwan Project addressing FASD. Since 2017, she has been the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner for the Australian Human Rights Commission.
As the first female Governor‑General of Australia (2008 ‑ 2014), Quentin has been a pioneering reformer, community builder and leader for more than 40 years. A former Governor of Queensland (2003 ‑ 2008) she has had a distinguished career as an academic, lawyer, community and human rights advisor, senior public officer and university college principal. Her contribution to advancing human rights and equality, the rights of women and children, and the welfare of the family has been recognised in her appointment as an Officer of the Order of Australia, a Companion of the Order of Australia, and a Dame in the Order of Australia.
Suzy was an educator before opening Riverbend Books in Brisbane in 1998. In 2004, she had the idea that it would be logical for the Australian Book Industry to actively support literacy for young Indigenous Australians. This idea grew into the Indigenous Literacy Foundation.
Suzy is a Life Member of the Australian Booksellers Association. She is a recipient of the Johnno Award, The Dromkeen Medal for “being a catalyst in changing children's lives through literature”, and the Lloyd O’Neil Award for outstanding contribution to the Australian Book Industry.
Andy is one of Australia’s most popular children’s authors with New York Times bestsellers, adapted for the stage and television and having won more than 50 Australian children’s choice awards.
"Imagine a world in which everybody has clean air, fresh water, healthy food, someone to love and someone who loves them, a roof over their head, and, most important of all, a good book to read and the ability to read it ... sure, you might say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one..."
Dr Anita Heiss is a proud Wiradyuri woman and storyteller. She is the author of 23 books across genres, including the novels Tiddas and Bila Yarrudhanggalangdhuray (River of Dreams). Anita is Publisher at Large at Bundyi Publishing, an Ambassador for the GO Foundation, and a Professor of Communications at the University of Queensland.
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Justine Clarke
Justine Clarke is an acclaimed television, theatre and film actress of stage and screen, an author, TV presenter, song‑writer and producer of her ARIA award winning children’s albums and live touring shows and co‑creator, composer and executive producer of ABCTV’s The Justine Clarke Show. Justine is a proud lifetime Ambassador for the ILF.
Alison’s picture books mix imaginary worlds with everyday life, encouraging children to believe in themselves, such as the Clive Eats Alligators series and the award‑winning One Small Island. Alison is involved in many community art projects and spends part of every year travelling to remote Indigenous Communities, using her books to help children and adults write and draw about their own lives. In 2012 and 2013 Alison, along with Boori Pryor, was appointed Australia's first Children's Laureate.
David is an award‑winning poet and novelist whose books include Johnno, Remembering Babylon, and Every Move You Make. "Reading brings the world to us. But reading can also open up a new world of people and events we have never imagined but which we can enter and become part of. This kind of reading takes us out of ourselves ...into other skins. Reading is a form of magic."
Josh, an ARIA award‑winning singer and children's book author author, launched his Busking for Change in 2009 to raise support for the ILF. "The work ILF do in raising literacy levels in Indigenous Communities is about introducing choice to people. Kids and adults who can read can choose to pursue further education, better job opportunities or simply enjoy the brilliant escape that reading can offer."
Richard is one of Australia's finest novelists, winning the Man Booker Prize for The Narrow Road to the Deep North. He donated one of his prizes to our Foundation saying: "If one of those books helps a few children to advance beyond the most basic literacy to one that is liberating, then I will consider the money better spent.”
Aboriginal artist A. Professor Wayne Quilliam is an internationally acclaimed storyteller, curator and cultural advisor. Wayne’s 30 years of experience working in Communities has allowed him to create and curate over 300 photographic and visual art exhibitions, nationally and globally. In 2020, Wayne’s debut book Culture is Life was released, a photo documentary on contemporary Indigenous culture and among many of his awards he was nominated as a Master of Photography by National Geographic.
Dr Kirsten Banks is a proud Wiradjuri astrophysicist and science communicator. She loves to share her passion for space and astronomy with people young and old, both in person at public talks and by making short and fun educational videos on TikTok. Kirsten is doing a PhD at the University of New South Wales studying the nature of ancient stars in the Milky Way galaxy, and hopes to inspire the next generation of young scientists to help answer the Universe’s big questions.
Gregg is a gifted artist, storyteller and musician, and he features the didgeridoo and guitar in his performances at schools, libraries and festivals. He is a descendant of the Kamilaroi and Euahlayi people. He is the author and illustrator of Silly Birds, Kookoo Kookaburra, Mad Magpie, Cunning Crow, Awesome Emu, My Culture and Me, Hello and Welcome, Today's Sun and Common Wealth. His stories proudly address his Culture: including friendship; kindness; tempers; bullying; being humble; and social change. Gregg is also the illustrator of the classic story Tiddalik the Frog, and has poetry with his illustrations in the anthology A Boat of Stars.
He is very proud to be helping the Indigenous Literacy Foundation to bring books, laughter, confidence and fun to remote Communities around Australia.
Jessica is one of Australia’s most popular singers, songwriters and actresses. Jessica has spent time in many remote Communities and understands the challenges and barriers to literacy that exist in these areas. “Kids in these Communities are smart and often speak 2‑3 languages, but English is often not their first language and they can therefore struggle to cope at school.”
Shelley Ware is a proud Yankunytjatjara and Wirangu woman from Adelaide but currently lives in Melbourne. She has worked as a radio and television presenter on both local and national AFL football news shows, particularly as a panel member of NITV’s Marngrook Footy Show and as a weekly guest on The Point discussing AFL issues. She is a member of the Carlton FC RAP and the AFLW All Australian and Rising Star Selection committees. Shelley also works as an educator at Kew Primary School in Melbourne where she has coordinated a Literacy Intervention program and is currently the middle and senior school Art teacher.
Jared is a Nukunu person and author, playwright and academic, whose books include Sweet Guy and Calypso Summer, for which he was awarded the Kuril Dhagun Indigenous Writing Fellowship. Jared facilitated a 2016 ILF Create Initiative workshop with Tiwi College and said the forthcoming book created by the students “provided readers with the joy, connection and youth of the Tiwi people, country and culture”.
Dr Debra Dank is a Gudanji/Wakaja woman and a multi‑award winning author who has worked in teaching and learning for many years. Debra is currently an Enterprise Fellow at the University of South Australia. Debra's book, We Come With This Place waspublished in 2022.
David is an award‑winning children’s author whose Fox Swift series, co‑written with Cyril Rioli led to a life‑changing trip to the Tiwi Islands. With Shelley Ware he co‑facilitated the 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2022 ILF Create Initiative writing workshops, that produced the wonderful Japarrika trilogy and Tiwi Seasons with Marius. Through the ILF he has seen first‑hand how reading opens doors.
Kim is a multi‑award winning novelist. Benang (1999) was the first novel by an Indigenous writer to win the Miles Franklin Award and hat Deadman Dance (2010) also won Australia’s premium literary prize. Proud to be one among those who call themselves Noongar, Kim is founder and chair of the Wirlomin Noongar Language and Stories Project and, with Noongar Elder Hazel Brown, wrote Kayang and Me (2005). He is a member of the WA Writers Hall of Fame, and in 2022 was declared a state Cultural Treasure. Kim is currently Professor of Writing at Curtin University.
In a career spanning 40 years, Ann has illustrated over 80 books. In 1988, she and her partner Ann Haddon established Books Illustrated, promoting Australian picture books and their creators through exhibitions and events in Australia and overseas for 35 years. Ann is passionate about picture books and sees visual narrative and art as a universal language to tell story. It’s been at the heart of the many creative ILF projects she’s been involved with, working with children in Communities all over the country. In 2020 both Anns were awarded Member of the Order of Australia for their work in Australian Children’s Literature, and in 2022 she was nominated Australian Illustrator for the Hans Christian Andersen Award.
DOBBY
DOBBY is a rapper, composer, producer and drummer. He proudly identifies as a Filipino and Aboriginal musician, whose family is from Murrawarri and Ngemba lands.
He is a multi-instrumentalist and uses his unique signature ‘drapping’ - rapping and drumming at the same time.
In 2020, DOBBY took out best video for I Can’t Breathe at the FBi SMAC Awards which has continued to remain the unofficial anthem of Australia’s Bla(c)k Lives Matter movement and used throughout schools in Australia as material alongside curriculum to assist in educating students.
After joining the ILF as a Busking For Change Ambassador in 2023, the ILF could not be more excited to welcome him to our team as an Ambassador for all of our work.
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Emma Donovan, a highly celebrated, ARIA‑nominated, award‑winning Indigenous singer and songwriter has been touring the country for over 20 years.On her mother’s side, Emma is part of the famed Donovan family of singers of the Gumbaynggirr people, of what is now known as Northern New South Wales. On her father’s side, Emma is of the Yamatji people of what is now known as Western Australia.Emma has toured and recorded with the best in the Australian music scene including Paul Kelly, The Teskey Brothers, Yothu Yindi, Paul Grabowsky, Jen Cloher, Spinifex Gum and the late Uncle Archie Roach and Aunty Ruby Hunter.
Artist Ryhia Dank is a Gudanji/Wakaja woman from the Barkly Tablelands in the Northern Territory. You may recognise Ryhia by the name Nardurna.
Ryhia's identity is deeply rooted in her roles as a mother, partner, business owner, and creative individual.
Ryhia connection to Country and family is a profound source of inspiration for her work and fuels her desire to preserve and nurture her relationship with the land.
As an ILF Ambassador, Ryhia is inspired by Indigenous literacy and hopes to champion, “Community Empowerment and Ownership, Learning Materials and Accessibility of Books, Cultural Preservation and Celebration, and Continuous Education and Literacy Development.”
Thomas Weatherall is a Kamilaroi writer and actor. His debut play Blue premiered in 2023 at Belvoir Theatre as part of Sydney Festival in a sold-out and critically acclaimed world premiere season in which he also starred.
Thomas won both a Silver Logie and an AACTA Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Television Drama for his performance as Malakai in Netflix’s Heartbreak High. After making his professional acting debut in 2018 in ABC’s award-winning series Deadlock, Thomas began a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting at QUT and joined the lead cast of RFDS and was subsequently named as one of Casting Guild Australia’s Rising Stars for 2020.
Thomas was inspired to join the ILF as an Ambassador because he truly values literacy and storytelling.
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A proud Kamilaroi, Barkindji, Ballardong and Whadjuk woman and one of this generations most versatile personalities, Bianca Hunt has been honing her skills in the media industry for over a decade. A TV presenter, media personality and interviewer, Bianca's career spans sport, travel, fashion and music journalism.
Bianca has appeared on I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here!, co-hosted NITV's Yokayi Footy and was a travel reporter for SBS's Going Places with Ernie Dingo. Bianca has been the face of ad campaigns for Bonds, LinkedIn and Intrepid Travel, and has also made regular appearances at Australian Fashion Week. Bianca is a TEDx presenter and in 2021 founded Agnt Blak, a groundbreaking talent agency for First Nations people.
A proud Mudburra and Maluyligal woman, journalist Natalie Ahmat is passionate about telling stories through an Indigenous lens. Natalie currently presents NITV News, Australia’s only dedicated Indigenous television news bulletin, and is a regular contributor on NITV’s current affairs program, “The Point”. Since joining the inaugural NITV News team in 2008, Natalie has travelled around the country reporting on First Nations issues, and has anchored the channel’s live coverage of some of the most significant Indigenous events in recent history, including Garma from north east Arnhem Land, the Uluru First Nations Constitutional Convention, and the National NAIDOC Awards.
Jacqui Payne, Co‑Chair
Magistrate Jacqueline Payne is the first Indigenous woman to be admitted as a solicitor in Queensland. She worked in criminal defence for fourteen years for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation Legal Service and later in her own successful private practice.
Gavin Williams is the owner of Matilda Bookshop, and has been selling books on Peramangk Land since he and his wife bought the bookshop in 2008. He has been on the Australian Booksellers Association board since 2017 and is currently Treasurer of the association. He is a passionate believer in the positive capacity of books to unlock new worlds and possibilities, and feels that they should be available to all, no matter where they live.
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Amara is a proud Wiradyuri yinaa (woman). For the past decade Amara has worked across multiple sectors and industries, including in media, tertiary, community, non-profit and private organisations, towards meaningful and positive outcomes for First Nations peoples.
Amara is an advocate for First Nations self-determination, through Nation re-building, including the preservation and practice of languages and cultures. She is passionate about re-learning Wiradyuri language and passing it on to her gudha-galang (children).
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Nicole Abadee was a barrister and then legal academic for 20 years, with a background in International Law and Human Rights Law. Nicole has worked in the book industry, working as a senior editor at Penguin Random House. She is currently the books writer for Good Weekend Magazine as well as a festival moderator, interviewing writers at writers’ festivals and Australian literary events.Nicole was heavily involved in the Yes Campaign for the 2023 Referendum for a First Nations Voice to Parliament, and co‑founded Writers for the Voice, an advocacy group with over 700 members.
Jillian Bowie is a Samsep and Zagareb neur/woman from the islands of Erub and Mer in the Kemer Kemer Meriam Nation of Zenadth Kes (Torres Strait).
Jillian is a writer, poet, published author, small business owner, and influencer who uses her craft and creativity to inspire and empower First Nations people to thrive in their sphere of influence toward self-determination. Jillian currently works for First Languages Australia as Senior Program Officer for their First Nations Languages Education Program team.
Helene Byfield is the Merchandise Manager at Books Kinokuniya where she has worked since starting as a part-time customer service representative while studying at university over 20 years ago.
Helene believes that literacy and the ability to access a diverse range of titles are important not only for learning, but also so that people can see themselves and their culture reflected in the materials they read. She loves sharing stories, and believes that books provide a wonderful way to build empathy and create opportunity. She is keen to help readers find their next favourite book.
Julie Burland is the Chief Executive Officer of Penguin Random House (PRH) Australia and New Zealand and is also the current President of the Australian Publishers Association (APA).PRH is fundamentally aligned with the ILF ethos of fostering culture, stories, language and literacy.Julie is passionate about literacy and believes it is a fundamental skill that enables individuals to understand, interpret, create and communicate effectively.
Alicia has been in the financial services industry for more than 20 years. She has lived in the north west of WA and spent time visiting many remote Aboriginal communities across the north of Australia. She is an advocate for developing financial confidence and has been able to utilise her professional experience to provide practical support through her current role as Manager of Indigenous Business at Westpac.
Alicia has also been a volunteer educator with Primary Ethics in NSW and believes literacy is a life skill that leads to knowledge, opportunity and success, which underlines why she is committed to supporting the Indigenous Literacy Foundation.
Yalmay Yunupingu is an Honorary University Fellow, with the Office of Pro Vice Chancellor ‑ Indigenous Leadership, Charles Darwin University (CDU) since 2015. Yalmay is a Yolŋu Rirratjiŋu woman from Yirrkala in Northern Territory. She holds a Bachelor of Education ‑ in Teaching & Learning with CDU as well as a Diploma in Teaching and Learning through the Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education.
Yalmay was appointed Principal of Yirrkala School in 2007 and for nine years practised as a Teacher Linguist and has worked with the Department of Education for a decade. She has a long history as an educationalist, and is a strong advocate of the bilingual program “Two Way Learning” philosophy and is very passionate about it. In 2013, she was selected as one of four finalists for the 2013 Human Rights medal, from the Australian Human Rights Commission, and in 2020 delivered a powerful keynote speech at the inaugural National Indigenous Human Rights Awards. Yalmay graduated with a Bachelor of Education ‑ Teaching & Learning from Darwin in 2016.
Merrkiyawuy Ganambarr‑Stubbs
Merrkiyawuy Ganambarr‑Stubbs is a proud Yolŋu woman and leader from North East Arnhem Land. She has written 6 books. Her children’s books are written in Yolŋu Matha for use in primary schools as Walking Talking texts. She plays an important role in the bilingual education movement in Arnhem Land working with Yolŋu Elders to develop both‑ways learning. She has developed a series of Yolŋu curriculum materials currently in use in Arnhem Land. She has also been an important voice for Yolŋu rights. Her vision is that every child is appreciated, and that every child knows that dreams are possible.
Chief Executive Officer ‑ Ben Bowen
Chief Operating Officer ‑ Mike Milnes
Head of Publishing ‑ Nicola Robinson
Publishing Projects Editor ‑ Cindy Manfong
Publishing Coordinator ‑ Nea Close‑Brown
Publishing Projects Editor ‑ Samantha Mansell
Head of Programs ‑ Zoe Cassim
Programs Manager ‑ TicTac Moore
Regional Program Coordinator: Katherine ‑ Josie Lardy
Regional Program Coordinator: Tiwi Islands ‑ Bella Puruntatameri
Regional Programs Coordinator ‑ Sharon Burns
Book Buzz Manager ‑ Jolene Brown
Head of Marketing ‑ Rebecca Finney
Communications and Campaign Manager ‑ Rachael Bailey
Senior Marketing and Events Lead ‑ Emma Toomey
Senior Marketing and Communications Lead ‑ Ella Schofield
Social Media and Communications Coordinator ‑ Fernanda Faustino
Graphic Designer ‑ Justine Taylor
Ambassador Manager ‑ Kristin Gill
Head of Fundraising ‑ David Stewart
Community Fundraising Manager ‑ Laura Atherden
Fundraising Officer/Coordinator ‑ Krista Brydges
Fundraising Administrator ‑ Marj Hutchinson
Head of Human Resources ‑ Katharine Elkan
Technology Manager ‑ Peter Fitzgibbon
Data and Operations Manager ‑ Brad Gambetta
Accountant ‑ Joanne Wise
Office Manager ‑ Rosa Mazzapica
Lachlan Coman (Youth Ambassador Mentor)
Sidney Edwards
Joshua Lam
Penelope Towney
Janet Hutchinson (Writer)
Maureen Brooks (Research and Events)
Sonia Palmisano (Marketing and Research)
There are also a number of casual volunteers that support us during busy times and at events.
The Indigenous Literacy Foundation works as an initiative of the Australian Book Industry with the support of:
The
Indigenous Literacy Foundation is registered with the ACNC and is a Public Benevolent Institution with DGR1 and TCC status.
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