Great book swap soars to new heights
The Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF) has taken its annual Great Book Swap to new heights aiming to raise $250,000 to help deliver 25,000 books to First Nations children living in remote communities.
The Great Book Swap is a national fundraising initiative that invites schools, universities and organisations throughout Australia to swap a book and make a donation to the ILF, helping them to provide culturally relevant books for children in remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities across Australia.
This year’s launch featured ILF Lifetime Ambassador Andy Griffiths, alongside Bunuba Leader and storyteller Joe Ross, Stacey Bush, and their children Remi and Boheme Ross — the illustrators of Winthali (Fire), an adaptation of the Bunuba Dreamtime story Girrganyi, meaning Brown Falcon in Bunuba language.
Key facts:
- The 2026 Great Book Swap by the Indigenous Literacy Foundation launched at Taronga Zoo with ILF Lifetime Ambassador Andy Griffiths and Bunuba storyteller Joe Ross and his children Remi and Boheme.
- The national initiative encourages schools, universities and organisations across Australia to swap a book and donate to support literacy.
- Funds raised help provide culturally relevant books for children in remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
- The 2026 campaign highlights animals in First Nations storytelling, with four Animal and Language Teaching Resources for classrooms.
- More than 80 First Nations students attended the launch, celebrating the book Winthali and learning the Bunuba word Girrganyi (Brown Falcon).
- The 2026 fundraising goal is $250,000, helping deliver 25,000 books to First Nations children in remote communities.
Set against the backdrop of Sydney Harbour, the launch event at Taronga Zoo welcomed more than 80 First Nations primary school students.
The Foundation launched the campaign with the spectacular flight of Wattle and Monotoco, native Red-tailed Black Cockatoos, a nod to Girrganyi (Brown Falcon) in Winthali.
Joe Ross and his Danggu family are custodians of many Bunuba stories. Stacey Bush wrote the English text for Winthali, while their two children Remi and Boheme created the illustrations, ensuring cultural knowledge is shared across generations.
“There are less than 50 Elders who speak Bunuba now and it’s important to keep our Language, Culture and Stories alive for the next generation,” Joe Ross said.
Animals play a central role in First Nations storytelling and this year’s Great Book Swap teacher resources celebrate that connection.
Andy Griffiths spoke at the launch about the adventure of reading and introduced the four Great Book Swap Animal and Language Teaching Resources designed to support teachers in delivering First Nations content in their classrooms.
Joe, Remi and Boheme Ross celebrated their book Winthali with attending students, learning all about Girrganyi, one of the featured Animal and Language Teaching Resources.
Raising funds
Ambassador Andy Griffiths said hosting a Great Book Swap was a simple yet powerful act.
“Hosting a Great Book Swap at your school, university or workplace is the perfect way to remind your friends, students and co-workers of the power of books to entertain, enchant and maybe even change their lives,” he said.
“And, at the same time, you are helping to raise funds used to provide books for children in remote Communities so that they can experience the same benefits. Reading opens doors.”
Bill Simpson, Indigenous Education Officer at Taronga Conservation Society Australia, said Taronga was delighted to officially host the Indigenous Literacy Foundation’s Great Book Swap.
“Located on beautiful Cammeraigal Country, Taronga is committed to educating the youth of today about the rare and remarkable wildlife that roam our planet, while also sharing stories that celebrate Indigenous culture and deep connections to Country,” he said.
“As a conservation organisation, we recognise the importance of First Nations knowledge in guiding how we care for the land, tread lightly on our planet, and protect our environment for generations to come.”
Schools, libraries, universities, book clubs, workplaces and individuals can host a Great Book Swap at any time during 2026.
Education program
Those who submit funds by June 30 will go into the draw to win the Early Bird prize – a book pack of ten foundation titles. Schools submitting funds by November 1 will automatically receive a virtual visit from Andy Griffiths.
When school teachers sign up for a Great Book Swap, they receive complimentary access to Teacher Resources celebrating animals. The four Animal and Language Teaching Resources include: Girrganyi (brown falcon in Bunuba), Marntuwunyini (dugong in Tiwi), Bigibigi (pig in Kriol) and Yari (whale in Yawuru).
In addition to the Great Book Swap, the Foundation also launched Busking for Change – an advocacy campaign in its fourth year.
Developed by Ambassador Josh Pyke, the initiative encourages primary students to learn a song and raise funds, culminating in a school performance on Indigenous Literacy Day, September 2.
Registrations for the Great Book Swap are now open at www.greatbookswap.org.au.
More information about all of ILF’s Advocacy Campaigns can be found at www.ilf.org.au/education.
