Mossman Literacy for Life Campaign

01/09/2026

❤️ 📚

A special story for ✨

When May Welsh graduated in Coonamble, no one was prouder than her daughters, Debbie and Sonja.

Not only was May brave enough to step back into the classroom in her 70s, she also stood up in front of her whole community to deliver the Welcome to Country.

“I was that proud of mum when she done that, because she’s not normally the person who will get up and do speeches in front of people,” says her daughter Debbie.

Returning to education as an adult is not easy.

“I’d only done one or two weeks in Year 7 because I had to go out to work,” May reflects. “I was either cleaning houses or washing or babysitting.”

May didn't just learn to read and write. She also learned how to use a laptop and has even started writing letters to her nephew.

Her other daughter Sonja says staff at the local Aboriginal Land Council couldn't believe the difference.

“When they need her details, she says, ‘I’ll just write it out for you,’ and she takes the paper right out of their hand! She’s not afraid to have a go now.”

When an adult learns to read and write, it doesn't just change one life, it transforms an entire family and creates a ripple effect across generations. And when the young ones see their Elders returning to learn, they understand how important it is.

Thank you for supporting literacy in Aboriginal communities.

This Indigenous Literacy Day, please consider making a tax-deductible donation to support more First Nations students learning to read and write: https://bit.ly/4zNVbit

📸 Photo: May (right) and Shanikqua celebrating NAIDOC Week.

01/09/2026

https://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/schools/indigenous-literacy-day-2026

01/09/2026

Today is Indigenous Literacy day ! https://www.ilf.org.au/

26/08/2026

💛📚 Vale Dolly Parton | 1946–2026

Today we remember Dolly Parton not only for the music and joy she shared with the world, but for an extraordinary literacy legacy.

Dolly grew up in poverty as one of 12 children in rural Tennessee. Her father was a hardworking man who never had the opportunity to learn to read or write. Dolly often spoke about the impact this had on him, and it became the inspiration behind one of her proudest achievements.

In 1995, she founded Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library with a beautifully simple idea put books into the hands of children and give them the opportunity to develop a love of reading from the very beginning.

What started in her small home county became an international literacy movement.

📚 Around 332 million books have now been gifted to children around the world.

🇦🇺 Here in Australia alone, more than 2 million books have been delivered, reaching thousands upon thousands of Australian children and families.

The program provides enrolled children from birth to age five with a free, carefully selected book mailed directly to their home every month.

For those of us working in adult literacy, Dolly’s story has an especially important message.

She saw firsthand how being unable to read and write could affect someone’s confidence, opportunities and everyday life. Rather than simply talking about the problem, she spent more than 30 years doing something about it for the next generation.

Her music will be remembered around the world, but so will the millions of children who held a book of their very own because Dolly Parton believed literacy mattered.

More than 2 million books in Australia.
Around 332 million books worldwide.
Hundreds of millions of opportunities to open a door through literacy.

What an incredible legacy to leave behind. 🤍

Rest peacefully, Dolly. 📚💛

20/08/2026

📚 OUR 3RD INTAKE IS WELL UNDERWAY!

Our classes are up and running and our learners are getting stuck into Intake 3 but it’s not too late to join us!

If you’ve been thinking about improving your reading, writing, maths or everyday literacy skills, now is the time to come along.

👉 Pop in Monday 24 August for our LAST WEEK OF INTAKES and have a chat with the team.

✅ FREE program
✅ Supportive, relaxed classes
✅ Breakfast & lunch provided
✅ Transport assistance available
✅ Help with SPER fines
✅ Workforce Australia points
✅ Scholarship on completion

📍 Literacy for Life Foundation Mossman

Come in and see us Monday!
There’s still time to be part of Intake 3. 🙌

24/07/2026

Come join us next week
For Mossman’s Literacy for Life Orientation week 👏

Have you ever thought about improving your ✍️ writing reading, 📖or digital skills?

Our Literacy for Life classes are a safe, welcoming place where Bama teach Bama. Learn at your own pace, build your confidence, make connections and gain skills you can use every day.

Whether you want increase your literacy skills to help your kids or grandkids with school, get ready for work, use a computer, or simply feel more confident, we’re here to support you.

✨ FREE classes
🍌🍎🍞Breakfast and lunch provided
🚌 Transport available
💻 Digital literacy included
🤝 Friendly local facilitators who live in our community.

Come along during Orientation Week and meet the team. There’s no pressure just come and have a yarn, see what it’s all about, and decide if it’s right for you.

Building skills. Building futures. Together.

📞 Get in touch with the Literacy for Life Mossman team to find out more or drop in and say hello. We’d love to see you.
Phone 0456 356 979

23/07/2026

🎉 NAIDOC Week Free Raffle Winner! 🎉

A huge congratulations to Carmen Barney, the lucky winner of our FREE NAIDOC Week Raffle! 🥳🎁

Thank you to everyone who stopped by, had a yarn and entered our free raffle during NAIDOC Week. It was a fantastic opportunity to share what the Literacy for Life Campaign – Mossman is all about and connecting with our community.

We’re now looking forward to Orientation Week as we prepare to welcome learners into our third intake here in the Mossman.

At the heart of our program is Bama Teaching Bama - community members supporting, encouraging and empowering each other through literacy. Together, we’re building confidence, creating opportunities and strengthening our community, one learner at a time. ❤️🖤💛

Congratulations again, Carmen, and thank you to everyone for your continued support. We can’t wait to welcome our new learners!

Bama Teaching Bama
Strong Community
Strong Futures

22/07/2026

For Tahlia, language isn't just words. It's identity, belonging and a legacy she's helping carry forward.

A Kuku Yalanji and Kuku Nyungkul woman from Far North Queensland, she grew up surrounded by family, community and language.

‘I was born and raised on Country,’ Tahlia said.

‘My childhood was full of memories at the beach, in the rainforest and sitting around the campfire with family.’ 🌊🌴🔥

Tahlia went on to become the inaugural Kuku Yalanji language teacher at Mossman State School, a role she describes as both an honour and a responsibility.

‘It was an honour and privilege to be endorsed by my Elders and community as the inaugural Kuku Yalanji language teacher,’ she said.

‘I was well aware of the cultural responsibility I had to uphold in this role.’

Tahlia believes every student benefits from learning First Nations languages.

‘For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, learning and using their languages deeply strengthens cultural identity, connection and belonging, while non-Indigenous students develop greater empathy, respect and cultural understanding. 💗

'Additionally, it boosts student engagement, enhances academic outcomes, and contributes to the preservation and revitalisation of the rich linguistic diversity across Australia.'

Tahlia has been passionate about learning, sharing and advocating for languages since she was young. She recently completed a Master of Indigenous Languages Education at The University of Sydney, where her research explored how movement-based teaching can support Kuku Yalanji language learning.

But for Tahlia, graduating wasn't simply about earning a qualification. 🎓

‘It was not a solo effort but a collective and shared milestone,’ she said.

‘My ancestors, Elders, family and community all played a part in the resilience and strength of our Kuku Yalanji language, giving me the unwavering determination to graduate and carry their—and our—legacy forward.’

Today, Tahlia supports state schools across Queensland as a member of the Languages and Cultures team, based in our Brisbane's Central Office.

‘This work is about contributing to a collective legacy that strengthens our communities and ensures our languages and cultures are passed on to the next generation,’ she said.

‘The true reward lies in seeing the shared benefits it brings to our people, now and into the future.’

Thank you for sharing your story, Tahlia!

17/07/2026

A great Job opportunity 👏 for those in NSW

We're looking for a Regional Lead, NSW to join our team.

Learn more or apply for this identified position here: https://bit.ly/3QVWb2A

07/05/2026

Literacy for life ventured out today on an excursion to Janbal Art Gallery. We learned about Aboriginal culture, listened and shared stories and painted our own artwork. A big thank you to our local artist Brian Swindley (Binna) Janbal Gallery