Latest News and published information
Insight: Reading Between the Lines – Improving Indigenous literacy
SBS's Insight with Jenny Brockie aired an episode on low literacy levels in Australia. Jack Beetson was a part of the conversation. Insight: Tuesdays at 8:30pm on SBS ONE
Leaps and Bounds in Literacy
Question: What do the following two words have in common? Discourage Cauliflower Answer: They both include all five vowels - a e i o u. If you answered correctly, well done! These two words were brought in to class by one of the students in Intake Two of the Brewarrina First Nations Adult...
Calls for improved adult literacy in Indigenous communities to combat fraud
Could greater investment in adult literacy stop the 'scams, cons and rip-offs' that are a blight in some Indigenous communities? There's lots of discussion about the need to improve literacy and numeracy among Indigenous children, which is no doubt crucial. But campaigner Jack Beetson says doing...
Educator Jack Beetson on surpassing expectations – Conversations with Richard Fidler
Jack was born into an Aboriginal family in western NSW. At school, he was an outstanding student, but when he wanted to study commerce and history, he was diverted to metal work and social science subjects instead. His teacher told him: 'Aboriginal kids just don't do those harder subjects'. Jack...
Giving back, a trip to remote New South Wales
One of our sponsors, Kinetic Super, joined us for our recent Brewarrina graduation. Kay Clancy, Executive Officer - (Corporate Services) shared her thoughts here.
New research to link Aboriginal health and literacy
Led by UNE academics, Associate Professor Bob Boughton, Professor Jack Beetson and Dr Lorina Barker, the study will research the broader social and health benefits of the Literacy for Life campaign (supported by Lowitja Institute), Yes I can, as it extends to other communities across the Central...
Brewarrina celebrates first graduates!
A group of 15 Brewarrina locals have something to write home about, after successfully graduating from the first Literacy for Life Foundation (LFLF) Aboriginal adult literacy campaign in the regional New South Wales town.
Read this beautiful short story, a Ngemba man’s first prose at 56 years old
NITV published an article on one of our participants, Liam Henry Bloomfield, here is his story: Our River, by Liam Henry Bloomfield The river was the lifeblood of our town called Brewarrina. The Barwon Darling looked so beautiful in the flood time. The fish traps look so peaceful and lost when...
Cuba exports literacy to Aboriginal communities on AWAYE!
Jack Beetson has worn many hats. Now the Ngemba and Wongaibon educator, philosopher and honorary adjunct professor is working to eradicate illiteracy in Aboriginal communities in New South Wales and he's been honoured by the Cuban government for utilising teaching methods developed in the early...
Yo! Si Puedo (Yes, I Can!) comes to Brewarrina
The University of New England recently published an article about the Literacy for Life Foundation in Brewarrina. Read it here