Only 36% of Indigenous Year 5 students in very remote areas are at or above national minimum reading standards, compared to 96% for non-Indigenous students in major cities, according to the 2019 National Assessment Program for Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN).

The situation is improving but there is still a long way to go and the challenges are immense.

Apart from the historical, health, social, and educational disadvantage issues, many remote communities don’t have many, if any, books. 

Workwear Group has been donating to the foundation since 2017 to aid in supporting the delivery of books to give children in these remote regions more opportunities to read and build their literacy skills. Our fundraising comes from sales on a specially designed boot, using the artwork from renowned Indigenous designer Sally Morgan.

We also believe in sharing information to create more awareness about organisations such as ILF, please watch this 3 minute video highlighting how each donation impacts the lives of children in remote Indigenous communities.