Community
18 March, 2022
Australia Post connecting Cairns community to the Indigenous languages
THIS week, Year 1 and 2 students At Bentley Park received a visit from Local Australia Post employees, mother and daughter, Vikki and Tashiana Sambo.
They introduced them to ‘Moli det bigibigi’ (Molly the pig), a bilingual story written in Kriol and English by Binjari author Karen Manbulloo.
THE reading of ‘Moli det bigibigi’ to students is part of Australia Post’s ongoing support of the Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF), which has delivered more than 190,000 books to children in more than 325 remote Indigenous communities.
“WE’RE both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, and it’s nice to show the younger generation a book like this in Kriol and English, to show them a bit of our culture,” Tashiana said.
“I’M honoured to show this to the younger generation. For us working for Australia Post to have the literacy program and give back to the Indigenous community is an honour,” Vikki said.
AUSTRALIA Post Head of Community Nicky Tracey said she was excited that the book will be shared directly with communities across the country and help introduce children and adults to Australia’s most widely spoken Aboriginal language today, Kriol.
“OUR partnership with the Indigenous Literacy Foundation helps ensure children across Australia have access to quality books, and more than 40% of these feature Indigenous authors or illustrators,” Ms Tracey said. MS Tracey said the posties visit to schools would help raise awareness for the ILF and the significance of connecting to Indigenous heritage.
“THESE postie visits to schools during March help raise awareness of ILF’s wonderful work and encourage Australians of all ages to engage with Indigenous language and culture,” she said.
“OUR posties and Post Office team members connect with their communities daily through their important work.
“THROUGH these school visits, we’re hoping to connect with our communities differently and help highlight the important work of our partner, ILF.
“WE hope these visits will help to inspire a love of reading and storytelling in the students and build stronger connections within our communities.”
AUSTRALIA Post National Indigenous Manager Barbara Sheehy said she was proud of how the organisation’s community activities connect more Australians with First Nations culture.
“THIS joyous and fun book, written by Karen, a proud Binjari woman, and illustrated by the Binjari Buk Mob, complements the overall work we do towards reconciliation by connecting with others through language and storytelling,” Ms Sheehy said.
MS Tracey said that through the partnership with ILF, Australia Post wants to raise awareness about the importance of literacy and inclusiveness.
“WE know literacy makes a huge difference in peoples’ lives and can open up a world of possibility,” she said.
“SO it is incredibly rewarding to think that our efforts to raise awareness of the Indigenous Literacy Foundation’s work will benefit the broader community.
“BOOKS help us understand the world around us. Sharing stories by Indigenous authors in schools offers an accessible way to build cross-cultural understanding among young children, contributing to a more inclusive and diverse society.”
‘MOLI det bigibigi’ is available for $9.99 at participating outlets and online at www.auspost.com.au/shop
FOR more information on Australia Post’s partnership with the Indigenous Literacy Foundation, visit www.auspost.com.au/literacy
