Australia Post: using its vast delivery network to deliver books to children in remote regions
More than 95,000 children’s books have been delivered into the hands of thousands of Indigenous children in more than 300 remote communities through Australia Post’s partnership with the Indigenous Literacy Foundation.
The partnership between the two organisations was established earlier this year with a goal of helping children in remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island communities get better access to quality, culturally relevant, new books through the Indigenous Literacy Foundation’s Book Supply Program.
Australia Post’s Head of Community, Nicky Tracey, said Australia Post is committed to helping improve access to books and literacy especially in remote Australia.
“Sharing the love of books, reading and writing can help people feel connected, especially children,” Ms Tracey said.
“We know that for children in isolated communities, getting access to books can be tough, and literacy levels can be much lower than in other parts of Australia.
“Through our partnership with Indigenous Literacy Foundation, we are able to take advantage of our vast delivery network and support the delivery of books to children in these remote regions, giving them more opportunities to build their literacy skills,” Ms Tracey continued.
By the end of the year Australia Post will have delivered more than 98,000 books, to schools, healthcare centres and service organisations for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation.
Karen Williams, Executive Director of the Indigenous Literacy Foundation said Australia Post’s support of the Book Supply Program has been critical during the last few months in helping them to reach children in some of the country’s most remote communities during strict lockdowns.
“We only work with remote communities because they have little access to books and literacy resources and the barriers to literacy are enormous,” Ms Williams said.
“Over the last 10 years, through respectful engagement and our community led approach, the number of remote communities we engage has grown.
“At the start of the year, when lockdowns were first mooted, there was a surge in book orders. We are extremely grateful to our partner organisation, Australia Post for delivering these orders and the feedback we continue to receive from teachers, parents and children, is testimony to the positive impact of the book supply program,” Ms Williams continued.
In celebration of Indigenous Literacy Day (2 September, 2020), participating Post Offices are now accepting over the counter donations to the Indigenous Literacy Foundation until 30 September 2020.
Australia Post will also continue to donate $1 to the Foundation for each copy of its Pen Pal Club book sold in store or online.
