The Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF) has announced the appointment of Jillian Bowie, Julie Burland and Helene Byfield to the ILF board.

Bowie is a Samsep and Zagareb woman from the islands of Erub and Mer in the Kemer Kemer Meriam Nation of Zenadth Kes (Torres Strait). An author, poet and small business owner, Bowie has experience in the employment and training sector, mentoring and coaching, and community projects development, and currently works as senior program officer for the First Nations Languages Education Program team at First Languages Australia.

Burland joined Penguin Random House (PRH) Australia in 2000, and has been CEO of PRH Australia and New Zealand since 2015. At PRH, she has held various roles in sales, business development and publishing, and also served as the director of business development and the children’s division. Besides her role at PRH, Burland is also the current president of the Australian Publishers Association (APA).

Byfield is the merchandise manager at Books Kinokuniya, where she has worked since starting as a part-time customer service representative while studying at university over 20 years ago.

ILF co-chair Natalie Ahmat said of the new board appointees: ‘This talented trio brings a wealth of experience and expertise across publishing, bookselling and First Nations languages to our passionate and dedicated organisation. I have no doubt their insights and perspectives will prove invaluable as the ILF continues to grow and thrive, building on the positive work that saw the ILF recently receive global recognition, named as the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award Laureates for 2024.’

Pictured (L–R): Jillian Bowie, Julie Burland and Helene Byfield.

Category: Local news