On Tuesday 4 March, the Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF) Ambassador Andy Griffiths launched the 2025 Great Book Swap at the Australian Museum, in Sydney.
ILF’s Great Book Swap is a really fun way to celebrate reading locally, learn more about Indigenous Languages and culture, while raising funds for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation. The idea is to swap a favourite book in exchange for a donation.
ILF Lifetime Ambassador Andy Griffiths says: “Reading opens doors to new worlds, new experiences and new ideas. So don’t be shy—share, swap or just grab a book today and discover a whole new world!”
To launch this year’s campaign, First Nations students from several local Sydney primary schools participated in a Great Book Swap, followed by an immersive journey through the Museum’s interactive Burra (eel) learning space. There were activities by First Nations educators, including scat and animal matching with Gundungarra language.
Director and CEO of the Australian Museum (AM), Kim McKay AO says: “It was exciting to welcome young First Nations students to the AM, where they enjoyed the Burra play space and participated in all the fantastic activities that the ILF’s Great Book Swap offers.
“Storytelling is a core part of what the AM stands for, and we are proud to support this wonderful initiative. We enjoyed hosting a fun and engaging day, with plenty to see and do.”
This year, the Great Book Swap aims to raise $300,000 to gift 30,000 culturally relevant books to remote First Nations Communities across Australia.
ILF CEO and Wiradjuri man Ben Bowen says: “The importance of access to quality books cannot be underestimated. Reading is a skill that impacts all facets of our lives and for First Nations Peoples, access to quality books is just as important.
“Having culturally relevant books in language is a fundamental human right and builds on intergenerational strength.”
Schools, libraries, universities, book clubs, workplaces and individuals can host a Great Book Swap at any time of the year. Those hosting a swap and submitting their funds by 30 June 2025 will go in the draw to win the Early Bird prize; a book pack consisting of ten ILF titles!
Schools who host a Great Book Swap and submit their funds by 1 November 2025, will automatically win a virtual visit from ILF Lifetime Ambassador Andy Griffiths. Once you register, you’ll be assigned to an Aboriginal language house named after animal characters in ILF books and have access to some fantastic online learning resources, including fact sheets, classroom activities, maps and videos. And, you can purchase books written by children or Community members in your house’s language.
To continue to promote multi-literacy and multilingualism, ILF’s musical fundraiser Busking for Change enters its third year. The fundraiser developed by ILF Ambassador Josh Pyke, engages primary students in a joyful activity incorporating song, music, movement, and language. Simply put, schools learn a song and raise funds for the ILF. Busking for Change culminates with a final school performance on Indigenous Literacy Day on 3 September 2025. Find out more at busking.ilf.org.au
2025 Great Book Swap registrations are open now. Learn more and register at greatbookswap.org.au
#ReadingOpensDoors #GreatBookSwap
About us:
About the Indigenous Literacy Foundation
The Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF) is a national charity working with remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities across Australia. They are Community-led, responding to requests from remote Communities for culturally relevant books, including early learning board books, resources, and programs to support Communities to create and publish their stories in languages of their choice.
Their work in literacy and Indigenous publishing has recently received international recognition by winning the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award (ALMA), highlighting the significant impact the ILF are making on Indigenous literacy and publishing.
In 2024, the ILF gifted 136,800 culturally relevant books to 495 remote Communities through their Book Supply program.
Contact details:
Jackie Evans ILF Publicist 0407 776 222