The Indigenous Literacy Foundation proudly announced a remarkable milestone on Tuesday, with one million books having been delivered to remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities through the ILF's Book Supply program.

As the ILF's longest-running initiative, Book Supply has provided free and culturally relevant books to over 495 remote Communities across Australia. These books allow young readers to see themselves reflected in stories.

ILF's Book Supply manager Brad Gambetta, said that the program has had great success.

"Invitations to order from the first release of ILF's Book Supply program went out in March and we were, as usual, inundated with orders," he said.

"The feeling you get hearing stories from remote Communities about the impact Book Supply has throughout the country never goes away. Recently there was a remote school sharing the story about kids being excited to read their new books that reflect their culture and language. It absolutely made me smile and think about the impact and importance a book (especially a book that reflects who you are) can have."

The ILF celebrated this milestone in Katherine, Northern Territory—a region with a rich history of involvement in the program. The celebration acknowledges not only the number of books delivered, but also the relationships, stories, and Communities that have shaped the program since the beginning.

The ILF receives many applications to the Book Supply program, which goes through selection processes before the packs are finalised each year. (Image: ILF)

ILF's former Book supply coordinator and current publishing projects editor, Cindy Manfong, shared just how rewarding it is to see the program benefit communities.

"Since I started with the ILF in 2016, Katherine has always been the central hub of the region. Communities all around it would have to get their packs sent to the local post office and then filtered out to their communities," she said.

"I have seen first-hand how kids and adults in communities react to seeing these packs and it's always a lot of smiles and pride – especially seeing new books fresh out of the boxes. It makes me so proud knowing that this program has been incredibly successful."

From what initially began in 2004 as the Riverbend Readers' Challenge, created by ILF Founder Suzy Wilson AM to raise funds for literacy opportunities in remote Australia, has since grown into a national initiative.

In 2025, The Book Supply program proudly supports hundreds of communities annually with new books— reviewed by committee members and are selected carefully with more than 50 per cent created by First Nations authors or illustrators.

The success of the Book Supply program can be attributed to all those who have been involved in shaping, supporting and working on it over the years.

Communities who order their Book Supply packs to Katherine are located all across the Northern Territory. (Image: ILF)

Former ILF programs director Tina Raye shared how the access to books of interest can greatly increase children's desire and interest to read.

"We never came across a kid who wasn't excited to choose their own book to take home.It's so inspiring to see how access to books can really encourage reading and the kids could find something they really wanted to read," she said.

This program would also not be possible without the support from Australia Post, with the team at Australia Post having delivered books to remote Communities since the beginning of their partnership in 2020.

"Australia Post proudly supports the Indigenous Literacy Foundation by using its vast network to deliver the Book Supply program to 495 Communities around Australia. Congratulations to the ILF on this magnificent milestone of delivering one million culturally relevant books to remote First Nations Communities," said Australia Post general manager community and stakeholder engagement, Nicky Tracey.

The ILF is extremely grateful to their generous donors, communities, partners, Board members, Ambassadors, and volunteers. All those who have participated in the ILF since its inception have played a vital role in Book Supply and the 1 million books now in remote Communities.

ILF chief executive officer Ben Bowen, said it is a privilege to be a trusted partner with community and ILF is looking forward to remaining a partner in the literacy journey with communities well into the future.

"Not long ago, the conversation was about the lack of books in remote communities. Today we are proud to announce the 1 millionth culturally relevant book landing in the hands of community.The scale of this achievement means access to libraries of books, homes with shelves of books, generations of readers sharing the experience of reading and storytelling," he said.

"It's a privilege to be a trusted partner with community over such an extended period of time and it is a commitment that the ILF will remain a partner in the literacy journey with communities for the future. Thanks for being a part of our story. Every book delivered matters."

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