This year, the Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF) is celebrating Indigenous Literacy Day (ILD) on Wednesday 2 September with their very first national, virtual YouTube Live Premiere event from 12.30pm-1:15pm today.
The event will highlight why learning in first language is key to improving remote Indigenous children’s educational outcomes, and will feature long-time ILF supporter Archie Roach and ILF Ambassadors including Jessica Mauboy, Josh Pyke, and co-patron June Oscar AO, who will be sharing their insights and stories of community engagement.
Get ready for this event by subscribing to the ILF YouTube channel. Viewers are encouraged to donate a gold coin on the day of viewing – or consider that $25 can buy three or more culturally relevant books for remote communities.
The foundation for life-long prosperity
Anthony Cavanagh, the Chief Executive Officer of the Shepparton-based indigenous education program Ganbina, has held a senior management role with the Chandler Macleod Group (of which Aurion is a member), and visited the Aurion Brisbane office in March 2020.
Cavanagh outlined how Ganbina’s unique approach with a one-on-one mentoring program called ‘JOBS4U2’, which was developed for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children living in the Goulburn Valley, home to one of the largest Indigenous populations in Australia.
According to the 2016 Census, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people made up 3.8 percent of the Shepparton’s population, which is more than 15 percent higher than the national average of 3.3 percent.
The registered charity become Australia’s most successful Indigenous school to work transition program: 72 percent of Ganbina participants are engaged in education or work, while the national Indigenous average is 58 percent.
Ganbina CEO Anthony Cavanagh commented that “The ability to both read and write should never be understated for its importance for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. These basic elements of a child’s education are crucial to the foundations for life-long prosperity and a future that sees economic equality for all Aboriginal people.”
The Ganbina JOBS4U2 mentoring program is delivered by a team of trained mentors who support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children throughout their crucial formative years from six to 25 years old, to make sure they gain the education, skills and life experiences they need to unlock their full potential.
Ganbina operates independently and is free from any political, religious or other affiliations, and relies 100 percent on donations from individuals, the community, businesses and philanthropic trusts. Visit their website today to learn more about their work and find out how you can help.
