Welcoming Authors, Artists, Storytellers and Advocates as New ILF Ambassadors

The Indigenous Literacy Foundation’s (ILF) Ambassador program has been a key pillar of the organisation since we were founded in 2007.

We currently have 8 Lifetime Ambassadors and 14 Ambassadors. This list includes dedicated individuals from creative fields, the Book Industry, Film and Television, as well as Artists, Musicians, Academics, Photographers, Scientists, and Mentors. 

The current list of ILF Ambassadors includes:

Alison Lester, Shelley Ware, Justine Clarke, Josh Pyke, Dr Debra Dank, Dr Anita Heiss AM, David Malouf, Andy Griffiths, Richard Flanagan, Thomas Weatherall, Ryhia Dank (Nadurna), Wayne Quilliam, Kim Scott, Gregg Dreise, Jessica Mauboy, Emma Donovan, Dr Jared Thomas, Dr Kirsten Banks, Bianca Hunt, Ann James AM, David Lawrence, DOBBY. 

The ILF’s is excited to welcome new Ambassadors, Community Ambassadors and Youth Ambassadors;

Lucas Proudfoot as an Ambassador

Tehya Makani as an Ambassador 

Anh Do as an Ambassador 

Tammy Abala as a Community Ambassador 

Shane Tipuamantamerri as a Community Ambassador 

Mia Speed as a Youth Ambassador 

Bronte Charles as a Youth Ambassador 

Lucas Proudfoot is a multi-platform Storyteller, Musician, Performer and Author.

He has worked as a children’s performer throughout Australia and overseas, inspiring and educating over 100,000 children annually through music, performance, books and digital shows. 

With boundless energy and a passion for storytelling, Lucas blends culture, fun, and learning into every experience. 

Lucas explains that “I grew up in a saltwater Community surrounded by storytellers, musicians, and singers. My Elders and family were my role models and inspiration. After school, I spent over a decade touring as a professional surfer and musician, travelling to 25+ countries and drawing inspiration from the many cultures I experienced. My parents, both long-time primary school teachers, encouraged me to create a show that gives back to Community and schools. 15 years on, I’ve performed more than 2,500 shows across Australia and abroad, sharing music, story, and culture to inspire pride, confidence, and a sense of belonging in young audiences.”

"Hearing the laughs and stories from people all over the country continues to inspire everything I do today,” says Lucas. 

“I’ve always admired the incredible work ILF does in Community, championing the power of language and story. Their ‘direct to Community’ and ‘guided by Community’ approach really connects with my values as a creative artist. I know firsthand how language and story can build confidence and self-pride, so I’m truly honoured to join the ILF as an Ambassador.”

Tehya Makani is a Musician, Singer-Songwriter, multi-disciplinary performer and a proud Yawuru, Wadjarri, Pitjanjarra and Wadjuk (Noongar) artist who is passionate about storytelling and creative expression across all artforms.

Born and raised in Broome, Tehya’s journey as a performer began at the age of 11 when she starred in the lead role in a local musical called Staircase To The Moon.

At age 18, Tehya launched her professional career with a debut in Opera Australia’s revival of Jimmy Chi’s celebrated musical Bran Nue Dae.

After completing her formal training at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts in 2021, Tehya has gone on to perform in several acclaimed productions. 

“I grew up in a small town in the northwest of Western Australia called Broome, where music wasn’t just something I heard - it was something that grew through and around me. It raised me into the artist I am today. 

"Growing up, music has been a vessel for culture, identity, and connection. My culture has been told, shared, and passed down through song, and that’s shaped who I am," says Tehya.

“I want to be an ILF Ambassador because I’m passionate about working with young people and helping them see the power in their own stories. Growing up, music and storytelling helped me understand who I am and where I come from, and I want to share that same sense of pride and confidence with kids in my Community and beyond.

Being an Ambassador would allow me to keep inspiring the next generation to dream big, stay connected to culture, and believe that their voices are powerful.” says Tehya.

Anh Do is one of Australia’s favourite Authors, Comedians and Artists. 

His bestselling memoir, The Happiest Refugee, won Australian Book Of The Year and each of his children’s book series have been national bestsellers. 

Anh is also known for his appearances on reality shows, Thank God You’re Here and Dancing With the Stars and his comedy show, The Happiest Refugee Live. 

Anh is also an artist and recipient of the People’s Choice for The Archibald Prize for his art. 

“As a newly arrived kid from Vietnam, I had trouble with reading and writing in my early years at school in Australia. So my mum would regularly take me to the local St Vinnies and let me choose a handful of 5 cent books. Those books slowly helped me to turn a fear of reading and writing into a love of words and stories.” 

“This fundamental change in my relationship with literacy is what has allowed me to be where I am today,” says Anh.

"For a large part of my childhood I was raised by a single mum who worked 60 hour weeks in a sweatshop to put food on the table for her 3 kids. She didn't have the opportunity to learn English properly and I saw her struggle with simple tasks like filling in forms and reading the instructions on the back of a medicine bottle. So for me, literacy is an essential skill to survive in today's world."

Tammy Abala celebrates a diverse ancestral heritage with connection to Iwaidja/Murran, Tiwi, Kungarakan, Torres Strait and Australian/English. 

The fabric of her values are woven together from extensive time in cross-cultural environments having spent much of her formative years in Arnhem Land, Darwin and Tiwi while also extending those experiences with working professionally in Perth, Adelaide, and overseas.

Through her strong interest in the betterment of Community, human rights and extensive work creating well-being and culture programs, Tammy has accomplished successive achievements through the past decade working in project development, coordination and Community building.

“Being an ILF Community Ambassador is a role descriptor of the efforts we do through Mamanta programs to include and promote the important work of the Indigenous Literacy Foundation,” says Tammy.  

“We enjoy including ILF books in our programs and advocate for ILF awareness in local and wider Communities of the importance and benefits ILF programs bring to remote peoples.”

“One of my favourite things to do is to share ILF made books with young women in the youth justice space.  I don't just read books to them - we talk about the how and why they are made and how the ILF opens doors through strengthening and celebrating First Nations knowledges, stories and values through literacy!” says Tammy.

Shane Tipuamantamerri is a Tiwi and Anmatjerre man carrying on the values and traditions of his peoples. 

Although Shane is probably better known as an award winning sportsperson, it is his passion for people and culture that drive him forward.

Shane has invested his time mentoring youth through coordination of sport, well-being and culture programs.   

He is a visionary for the betterment of Aboriginal Communities and improving wellbeing outcomes. 

Shane believes that positive relationships are key to success, with broad networks connecting throughout remote Communities and wider Australia.

“Having grown up as a Community kid with little interest in reading or books, it gives me a great sense of pride and honour to now promote, share in and celebrate the good work and the ways in which Indigenous Literacy Foundation positively impacts our Communities," says Shane.

“Respectfully working closely with Elders, Youth and all Community members aligns with Mamanta values of connection, strengths based pursuit of Community goals,” says Shane.

Mia Speed is a proud Wirangu artist, author, and illustrator of ILF Published title Where’s My Minya Marlu. 

Originally from Port Lincoln, she is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Indigenous Knowledges and Society. Mia’s work is grounded in her cultural heritage.

“I am passionate about sharing and preserving Aboriginal stories, language, and perspectives through creative expression,” says Mia.

Bronte Charles is a proud Bundjalung and Mununjali woman and an experienced journalist with a deep commitment to First Nations storytelling. 

With 6 years in the media industry - including 5 years at SBS and NITV - she has worked as a cross-platform journalist and currently serves as a digital producer and journalist. 

Bronte is passionate about empowering the next generation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people through reading, writing, and literacy. 

As someone who has always loved storytelling, she believes in the power of words to inspire, connect, and uplift Communities.

“Being a Youth Ambassador for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation is a huge honour and a role I carry with pride.” says Bronte. 

"Working with the ILF allows me to help amplify the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities and support access to culturally relevant books and resources - especially for our young mob. It’s about empowering the next generation to see the value in their stories, their languages, and their voices. I feel incredibly privileged to play a small part in helping foster that love for reading and storytelling in our young ones,” says Bronte.

Ben Bowen, ILF CEO, says: 

“The ILF’s Ambassador program is pivotal to its engagement with key stakeholders and donor communities. Many of the publishing and literacy-based projects as well as the major promotional campaigns we undertake, rely on the input and commitment of our Ambassadors and we are incredibly grateful for that. To our Ambassadors, I say thank you for coming on board.”

Learn more about our full Ambassador list, on our website.