Ambassadors
Our Ambassadors and Patrons are authors, artists, educators, and advocates who support Indigenous literacy by lending their voices, platforms and expertise to our programs.
Our Founder and Patrons
Suzy was an educator before opening Riverbend Books in Brisbane in 1998. In 2004, she had the idea that it would be logical for the Australian Book Industry to actively support literacy for young Indigenous Australians. This idea grew into the Indigenous Literacy Foundation.
Suzy is a Life Member of the Australian Booksellers Association. She is a recipient of the Johnno Award, The Dromkeen Medal for “being a catalyst in changing children's lives through literature”, and the Lloyd O’Neil Award for outstanding contribution to the Australian Book Industry.
As the first female Governor‑General of Australia (2008 ‑ 2014), Quentin has been a pioneering reformer, community builder and leader for more than 40 years. A former Governor of Queensland (2003 ‑ 2008) she has had a distinguished career as an academic, lawyer, community and human rights advisor, senior public officer and university college principal. Her contribution to advancing human rights and equality, the rights of women and children, and the welfare of the family has been recognised in her appointment as an Officer of the Order of Australia, a Companion of the Order of Australia, and a Dame in the Order of Australia.
June is a proud Bunuba woman from the remote town of Fitzroy Crossing in Western Australia’s Kimberley region. She is a strong advocate for Indigenous Australian languages, social justice, women’s issues, and has worked tirelessly to reduce Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). June has held a raft of influential positions including Deputy Director of the Kimberley Land Council, chair of the Kimberley Language Resource Centre and the Kimberley Interpreting Service and Chief Investigator with WA’s Lililwan Project addressing FASD. Since 2017, she has been the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner for the Australian Human Rights Commission.
Lifetime Ambassadors
Alison’s picture books mix imaginary worlds with everyday life, encouraging children to believe in themselves, such as the Clive Eats Alligators series and the award‑winning One Small Island. Alison is involved in many community art projects and spends part of every year travelling to remote Indigenous Communities, using her books to help children and adults write and draw about their own lives. In 2012 and 2013 Alison, along with Boori Pryor, was appointed Australia's first Children's Laureate.
Shelley Ware is a proud Yankunytjatjara and Wirangu woman from Adelaide but currently lives in Melbourne. She has worked as a radio and television presenter on both local and national AFL football news shows, particularly as a panel member of NITV’s Marngrook Footy Show and as a weekly guest on The Point discussing AFL issues. She is a member of the Carlton FC RAP and the AFLW All Australian and Rising Star Selection committees. Shelley also works as an educator at Kew Primary School in Melbourne where she has coordinated a Literacy Intervention program and is currently the middle and senior school Art teacher.
Justine Clarke is an acclaimed television, theatre and film actress of stage and screen, an author, TV presenter, song‑writer and producer of her ARIA award winning children’s albums and live touring shows and co‑creator, composer and executive producer of ABCTV’s The Justine Clarke Show. Justine is a proud lifetime Ambassador for the ILF.
Josh, an ARIA award‑winning singer and children's book author author, launched his Busking for Change in 2009 to raise support for the ILF. "The work ILF do in raising literacy levels in Indigenous Communities is about introducing choice to people. Kids and adults who can read can choose to pursue further education, better job opportunities or simply enjoy the brilliant escape that reading can offer."
Dr Debra Dank is a Gudanji/Wakaja woman and a multi‑award winning author who has worked in teaching and learning for many years. Debra is currently an Enterprise Fellow at the University of South Australia. Debra's book, We Come With This Place waspublished in 2022.
Dr Anita Heiss is a proud Wiradyuri woman and storyteller. She is the author of 23 books across genres, including the novels Tiddas and Bila Yarrudhanggalangdhuray (River of Dreams). Anita is Publisher at Large at Bundyi Publishing, an Ambassador for the GO Foundation, and a Professor of Communications at the University of Queensland.
David is an award‑winning poet and novelist whose books include Johnno, Remembering Babylon, and Every Move You Make. "Reading brings the world to us. But reading can also open up a new world of people and events we have never imagined but which we can enter and become part of. This kind of reading takes us out of ourselves ...into other skins. Reading is a form of magic."
Andy is one of Australia’s most popular children’s authors with New York Times bestsellers, adapted for the stage and television and having won more than 50 Australian children’s choice awards.
"Imagine a world in which everybody has clean air, fresh water, healthy food, someone to love and someone who loves them, a roof over their head, and, most important of all, a good book to read and the ability to read it ... sure, you might say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one..."
Ambassadors
Anh Do is a comedian, artist and one of Australia's favourite authors having sold more than 10 million books worldwide. 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 has appeared on many Australian TV shows such as Thank God You’re Here and Dancing With the Stars and each year he tours Australia performing his comedy show, The Happiest Refugee Live. As an artist, Anh has won numerous awards including People’s Choice for The Archibald Prize and his ABC TV series, Anh's Brush with Fame, was watched by millions of viewers across the country.
Born and raised in Broome, Tehya Makani is a dynamic singer-songwriter and multi-disciplinary performer who is deeply connected to her artistic roots and multicultural heritage. She is a proud Yawuru, Wadjarri, Pitjanjarra and Wadjuk (Noongar) artist who is passionate about storytelling and creative expression across all artforms.
Lucas Proudfoot is a powerhouse of creativity, inspiring and educating over 100,000 children annually through music, live performances, books, and online. With boundless energy and a passion for storytelling, he blends culture, fun, and learning into every experience. A dynamic performer, Lucas fuses contemporary and traditional sounds with guitar, ‘yidaki’ didgeridoo, and stomp box - delivering engaging, laughter-filled shows for kids and parents alike.
For 15+ years, he has toured Australia and overseas, captivating audiences with performances reflecting the nation’s rich landscapes and diverse Communities. A proud Gudjinburra-Bundjalung man from the Tweed Coast, Lucas empowers young people to embrace Indigenous culture, diversity, Community and storytelling - igniting a lifelong love of music, reading, and learning.
Richard is one of Australia's finest novelists, winning the Man Booker Prize for The Narrow Road to the Deep North. He donated one of his prizes to our Foundation saying: "If one of those books helps a few children to advance beyond the most basic literacy to one that is liberating, then I will consider the money better spent.”
Thomas Weatherall is a Kamilaroi writer and actor. His debut play Blue premiered in 2023 at Belvoir Theatre as part of Sydney Festival in a sold-out and critically acclaimed world premiere season in which he also starred.
Thomas won both a Silver Logie and an AACTA Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Television Drama for his performance as Malakai in Netflix’s Heartbreak High. After making his professional acting debut in 2018 in ABC’s award-winning series Deadlock, Thomas began a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting at QUT and joined the lead cast of RFDS and was subsequently named as one of Casting Guild Australia’s Rising Stars for 2020.
Thomas was inspired to join the ILF as an Ambassador because he truly values literacy and storytelling.
Artist Ryhia Dank is a Gudanji/Wakaja woman from the Barkly Tablelands in the Northern Territory. You may recognise Ryhia by the name Nardurna.
Ryhia's identity is deeply rooted in her roles as a mother, partner, business owner, and creative individual.
Ryhia connection to Country and family is a profound source of inspiration for her work and fuels her desire to preserve and nurture her relationship with the land.
As an ILF Ambassador, Ryhia is inspired by Indigenous literacy and hopes to champion, “Community Empowerment and Ownership, Learning Materials and Accessibility of Books, Cultural Preservation and Celebration, and Continuous Education and Literacy Development.”
Aboriginal artist A. Professor Wayne Quilliam is an internationally acclaimed storyteller, curator and cultural advisor. Wayne’s 30 years of experience working in Communities has allowed him to create and curate over 300 photographic and visual art exhibitions, nationally and globally. In 2020, Wayne’s debut book Culture is Life was released, a photo documentary on contemporary Indigenous culture and among many of his awards he was nominated as a Master of Photography by National Geographic.
Kim is a multi‑award winning novelist. Benang (1999) was the first novel by an Indigenous writer to win the Miles Franklin Award and hat Deadman Dance (2010) also won Australia’s premium literary prize. Proud to be one among those who call themselves Noongar, Kim is founder and chair of the Wirlomin Noongar Language and Stories Project and, with Noongar Elder Hazel Brown, wrote Kayang and Me (2005). He is a member of the WA Writers Hall of Fame, and in 2022 was declared a state Cultural Treasure. Kim is currently Professor of Writing at Curtin University.
Gregg is a gifted artist, storyteller and musician, and he features the didgeridoo and guitar in his performances at schools, libraries and festivals. He is a descendant of the Kamilaroi and Euahlayi people. He is the author and illustrator of Silly Birds, Kookoo Kookaburra, Mad Magpie, Cunning Crow, Awesome Emu, My Culture and Me, Hello and Welcome, Today's Sun and Common Wealth. His stories proudly address his Culture: including friendship; kindness; tempers; bullying; being humble; and social change. Gregg is also the illustrator of the classic story Tiddalik the Frog, and has poetry with his illustrations in the anthology A Boat of Stars.
He is very proud to be helping the Indigenous Literacy Foundation to bring books, laughter, confidence and fun to remote Communities around Australia.
Jessica is one of Australia’s most popular singers, songwriters and actresses. Jessica has spent time in many remote Communities and understands the challenges and barriers to literacy that exist in these areas. “Kids in these Communities are smart and often speak 2‑3 languages, but English is often not their first language and they can therefore struggle to cope at school.”
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Emma Donovan, a highly celebrated, ARIA‑nominated, award‑winning Indigenous singer and songwriter has been touring the country for over 20 years.On her mother’s side, Emma is part of the famed Donovan family of singers of the Gumbaynggirr people, of what is now known as Northern New South Wales. On her father’s side, Emma is of the Yamatji people of what is now known as Western Australia.Emma has toured and recorded with the best in the Australian music scene including Paul Kelly, The Teskey Brothers, Yothu Yindi, Paul Grabowsky, Jen Cloher, Spinifex Gum and the late Uncle Archie Roach and Aunty Ruby Hunter.
Jared is a Nukunu person and author, playwright and academic, whose books include Sweet Guy and Calypso Summer, for which he was awarded the Kuril Dhagun Indigenous Writing Fellowship. Jared facilitated a 2016 ILF Create Initiative workshop with Tiwi College and said the forthcoming book created by the students “provided readers with the joy, connection and youth of the Tiwi people, country and culture”.
Dr Kirsten Banks is a proud Wiradjuri astrophysicist and science communicator. She loves to share her passion for space and astronomy with people young and old, both in person at public talks and by making short and fun educational videos on TikTok. Kirsten is doing a PhD at the University of New South Wales studying the nature of ancient stars in the Milky Way galaxy, and hopes to inspire the next generation of young scientists to help answer the Universe’s big questions.
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A proud Kamilaroi, Barkindji, Ballardong and Whadjuk woman and one of this generations most versatile personalities, Bianca Hunt has been honing her skills in the media industry for over a decade. A TV presenter, media personality and interviewer, Bianca's career spans sport, travel, fashion and music journalism.
Bianca has appeared on I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here!, co-hosted NITV's Yokayi Footy and was a travel reporter for SBS's Going Places with Ernie Dingo. Bianca has been the face of ad campaigns for Bonds, LinkedIn and Intrepid Travel, and has also made regular appearances at Australian Fashion Week. Bianca is a TEDx presenter and in 2021 founded Agnt Blak, a groundbreaking talent agency for First Nations people.
In a career spanning 40 years, Ann has illustrated over 80 books. In 1988, she and her partner Ann Haddon established Books Illustrated, promoting Australian picture books and their creators through exhibitions and events in Australia and overseas for 35 years. Ann is passionate about picture books and sees visual narrative and art as a universal language to tell story. It’s been at the heart of the many creative ILF projects she’s been involved with, working with children in Communities all over the country. In 2020 both Anns were awarded Member of the Order of Australia for their work in Australian Children’s Literature, and in 2022 she was nominated Australian Illustrator for the Hans Christian Andersen Award.
David is an award‑winning children’s author whose Fox Swift series, co‑written with Cyril Rioli led to a life‑changing trip to the Tiwi Islands. With Shelley Ware he co‑facilitated the 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2022 ILF Create Initiative writing workshops, that produced the wonderful Japarrika trilogy and Tiwi Seasons with Marius. Through the ILF he has seen first‑hand how reading opens doors.
DOBBY is a rapper, composer, producer and drummer. He proudly identifies as a Filipino and Aboriginal musician, whose family is from Murrawarri and Ngemba lands.
He is a multi-instrumentalist and uses his unique signature ‘drapping’ - rapping and drumming at the same time.
In 2020, DOBBY took out best video for I Can’t Breathe at the FBi SMAC Awards which has continued to remain the unofficial anthem of Australia’s Bla(c)k Lives Matter movement and used throughout schools in Australia as material alongside curriculum to assist in educating students.
After joining the ILF as a Busking For Change Ambassador in 2023, the ILF could not be more excited to welcome him to our team as an Ambassador for all of our work.
Community Ambassadors
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.
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.
Youth Ambassadors
Mia Speed is am 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, and she is passionate about sharing and preserving Aboriginal stories, languages, and perspectives through creative expression.
Bronte Charles is a proud Bundjalung and Mununjali woman and an experienced journalist with a deep commitment to First Nations storytelling. With six 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.