Local postal manager Julie Glance nominated the school in a national staff competition and Katamatite Primary School was selected to receive a pack of picture books authored or illustrated by First Nations peoples living in remote communities across Australia.
The picture books are published by the Indigenous Literacy Foundation.
Ms Glance has run the Katamatite Post Office for eight years and was delighted be able to help boost the local school library.
“Katamatite Primary School is in a tiny Victorian town, with students from town and outlying rural properties,” Ms Glance said.
“There is strong connection to the land and acknowledgement of the traditional owners of the land, the Bangerang and Yorta Yorta people.
“The children will love receiving and reading the books.”
Head of community Nicky Tracey said Australia Post was committed to improving access to books and giving more Australian children the opportunity to build their literacy skills.
“Books help us understand our world and the inclusion of stories by indigenous authors in libraries offers an accessible way to build cross cultural understanding among young children,” she said.
Foundation executive director Karen Williams said children cannot learn to read if they don't have great books.
“With its national presence and established networks Australia Post is uniquely placed to support us in our mission,” she said.
Australia Post started a three-year partnership with the foundation in 2020 and uses its delivery network to truck, fly and ship quality books to children in remote Indigenous communities.
They have delivered more than 160,000 books since March 2020.
A 15-year-old tradition has continued for Katamatite Primary School students.
Grade 6 students, who graduate at the end of the year, have planted a tree on the school grounds.The trees will grow with the students as they continue their education.
“It gives the kids a connection back to the school when they are older,” Katamatite Primary School senior teacher Scott Marsden said.“A lot of them will come back when they are in their 20s and find their tree.“The students just like the fact that the tree is theirs.”This year's cohort of senior students decided to plant their trees earlier to have more time to care for them and watch them grow.
The trees came from Wangaratta's Park Lane Nursery.
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