In the small outback town of Cunnamulla, around 800 kilometres west of Brisbane, children aged seven to twelve have turned their ideas and experiences into a vibrant new book.
'Outback Country' is a collection of short stories that captures the life, imagination and spirit of the community through the voices of its youngest storytellers.
The book was created during a school holiday workshop run by the Indigenous Literacy Foundation and guided by ambassador Bianca Hunt.
Over several days, the children wrote, illustrated and edited their stories, drawing inspiration from their families, their surroundings and the land they call home.
“I feel famous, I feel like my parents are going to be really impressed,” said 11-year-old Matthew Russell, a student of Cunnamulla State School.
Reflecting on life outside the outback, he added, “I never want to live in Brisbane, it is too busy.
"When you are trying to get around you have the traffic lights and they are stopping you.”
The workshop gave the children a first-hand look at the publishing process, from the spark of an idea to seeing their names in print.
It was a chance to explore how stories are built, edited and shared, while also celebrating local culture and identity.
The Indigenous Literacy Foundation has been running similar programs across remote Australia for more than ten years.
Their workshops aim to improve literacy, empower young people and create books that reflect the voices of the community. These are books by the community, for the community.
Outback Country was launched this week, with families and community members gathering to celebrate the achievement.
Copies are now available through the Indigenous Literacy Foundation, showcasing the creativity and storytelling talent of the next generation from outback Queensland.
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