Small Seeds: Big Reads
Wiradjuri child, Solonaima, with her Small Seeds book ABC Dreaming, photo courtesy of the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency.
Our Small Seeds program supports early childhood literacy and ensures children across Australia have access to culturally relevant books they love.
‘Small Seeds is such a deadly program and we’re incredibly grateful. All four of our rooms now have stacks of new books by blackfulla Authors and Illustrators.’ Yappera Children’s Service, Melbourne.
Small Seeds is a philanthropic initiative where 100% of donations go directly to purchasing and delivering book packs to organisations where children may have limited access to books. Books that:
- children can take home, where they may have few or no books
- parents and carers can read with their children
- are relevant to Indigenous children, and
- increase young people’s understanding of Indigenous culture.
Requests come from playgroups, early childhood centres, parenting programs, out of home care facilities, women’s refuges, prison family support programs and many others.
Magabala’s ability to support requests for books is entirely dependent on the generosity of our donors.
In 2022, we gifted 1799 books through Small Seeds.
Example Small Seeds recipients:
NPY Women’s Council
Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Women’s Council (Aboriginal Corporation) of the western desert region is an organisation driven by women’s law and authority, the collective agency of women, and driven for all Anangu to have a good life. Through Small Seeds, Magabala donated books to the NPY Child and Family Wellbeing Service and Domestic and Family Violence teams.
Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency
The Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA) is a state-wide Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation (ACCO) servicing children, young people, families, and community members. The VACCA early-childhood and playgroup programs were recipients of Small Seeds book packs in 2019 and 2020.
‘Reading teaches sharing and involvement. When someone reads to a child, they are exposing that child to more than just the words on the page; they are demonstrating speech patterns, the basics of how a book is read…and the joy that reading can bring.’ - Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency.
Other recipients:
- Barcaldine High School - Barcaldine, QLDÂ
- Dept. of Communities, Child Protection and Family Support - Mirrabooka, WA
- Deadly Boorias and Deadly Family Program, Boori Maternal Child Health Centre - Epping, VIC
- Books 'n' Boots - West Footscray, VIC
- Wungening Corporation - Perth, WA
- Yenu Allowah Aboriginal Child & Family Centre - Mt Druitt, NSW
- Yalbillinga Boori Day Care Centre - Cowra, NSW
- Wiradjuri Aboriginal ~ Community Child Care Centre Corp - Wagga Wagga, NSW
- Winnangay Preschool - Berkeley, NSWÂ
- Winanga-Li Aboriginal Child and Family Centre - Gunnedah, NSW
- Waranwarin Early Learning Centre - Minto, NSW
- Walanbaa Dhurrali Early Learning Centre - Lightning Ridge, NSW
- Towri MACS Centre - Bathurst, NSW
- Oorunga Wandarrah MACS Centre - Airds, NSW
- Noogaleek Child Care Centre - Berkeley, NSW
- Nikinpa Aboriginal Family & Child Care Centre - Toronto, NSW
- Jarjum Bugal Nah Child And Family Centre - Ballina, NSW
- Gujaga Foundation - La Perouse, NSW
- Cullunghutti Aboriginal Child And Family Centre - Nowra, NSW
- Maingirba Early Learning Centre - Brewarrina, NSW
- Birrelee M.A.C.S Child Care Centre - Tamworth, NSW
- Coota Girls Aboriginal Corporation - Sydney, NSW
- Nukunu Kids Camp - Adelaide, SA
- Earbus Foundation, Hatch - Perth, WA
- Nunkuwarrin Yunti of SA Inc. - Adelaide, SA
- Dept Communities, Child Protection and Family Support - Perth, WA
- Marninwarntikura Women's Resource Centre – Fitzroy Crossing, WA
Think your organisation may be eligible for a Small Seeds book pack?
Please contact Brooke Collard projects@magabala.com