Community
21 August, 2025
Literacy for Life gets going
LITERACY For Life is a new campaign recently launched in Mossman, following the success of the Yarrabah program and in preparation for expansion into Cairns and Mapoon.
Mossman’s campaign was officially launched during NAIDOC Week on July 31, with a vibrant celebration at their location in Front St.
Local facilitators Dakota Bowen and Kapreece Swindley, guided by campaign coordinator Jody Wallace, are leading the program with strong community support.
“I’m very excited to be part of this program. It’s a milestone for our community,” Ms Wallace said.
The Literacy for Life Foundation, co-founded by Professor Jack Beetson, is a national Aboriginal-led organisation committed to improving adult literacy in First Nations communities.
Inspired and guided by Cuba’s successful ‘Yes, I Can’ campaign, the foundation has adapted the model to suit Australian communities, empowering people to lead their own learning journeys in culturally safe and supportive environments.
Mossman’s literacy classes are now underway, with 22 participants enrolled in the first week.
Campaign project officer Skye Bickford praised the team’s hard work and dedication since the beginning of phase 1, the mobilisation and socialisation stage.
During this phase, 11 local survey workers engaged the community, assessed literacy needs and promoted the upcoming program.
“We are very lucky that these amazing ladies also applied for and secured permanent roles in the campaign,” Ms Bickford said.
“After two weeks of training in Cairns, with our state lead and experienced Yarrabah staff, the ladies were well prepared to guide the classes. This week was fantastic, full of laughs and learning. It’s an honour to be part of the journey,” she said.
Dakota Bowen, a busy mum, originally volunteered to assist with surveys and is now employed as a facilitator in the program. She has already proven to be an invaluable asset.
“I’m very happy to help my local Bama, it’s been a successful first week and we are all excited about the positive impacts this will have,” Ms Bowen said.
Kapreece Swindley, who is the youngest facilitator, reflected on what the role means to her.
“It is about being able to help my people and give back to them, as they have paved the way for us,” she said.
“As the next generation, I feel it’s my responsibility to look after my Mob.
“The older generation wasn’t given the educational opportunities we now have. So being able to give back and help bridge the gap, to help people read, write and make everyday life easier makes me proud.
“It’s a privilege to give them that opportunity.”
Planning for Mossman’s campaign began long before its official launch, with a community governance group meeting regularly over the past 18 months.
This was followed by the employment and training of local community members as survey workers.
Their role was to assess literacy levels and raise awareness about the upcoming program. Their efforts generated strong interest and many of these workers went on to secure permanent roles within the campaign.
Literacy for Life continues to prove that community-led change is not only possible, but powerful.
As the movement grows, so too does the vision: a future where all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults have access to the opportunities that come with improved literacy, for themselves, their families and generations to come.
I’m off to give the new classmates 10 out of 10, so for now it’s Gazza signing out.
Send your stories to gazza@cairnslocalnews.com.au
