Jasmine Miller wishes Raising Literacy Australia’s latest campaign was around when she was young.

“Growing up there weren’t a lot of books or resources that actually had us as Aboriginal people or our history, or families actually illustrated or displayed or stories shared within books,” she said.

“So to now see that our young people can aspire to, and see themselves reflected (in books) that’s really important for their identity and their growth and journey as well.”

The campaign is the inaugural Impact Project funded by the Channel 7 Children’s Research Foundation. For almost 50 years, the Foundation has funded more than 1000 research projects across a wide range of health and social issues helping create positive change for children today and into the future.

This year, in response to the growing needs of children in South Australia, more funding has now been made available for initiatives that harness research to develop programs capable of delivering an immediate impact on some of the most pressing issues facing young people in our state.

Supported by a donation from the Advertiser Foundation Kids’ Appeal, generated by last year’s Good Home Appeal, the initiative builds on Raising Literacy Australia’s successful early childhood development campaign, Words Grow Minds, and aims to boost literacy outcomes for Aboriginal children.

While 23.8 per cent of South Australia children start school developmentally vulnerable, this figure almost doubles to 42.5 per cent* for Aboriginal children. (* Australian Early Development Census)

Jasmine, a former primary school teacher, and her partner Kyran Dixon read to their children Jaitjawara, 6, and Ochre, 3, every night and were enthusiastic supporters of the original Words Grow Minds program.

“What’s exciting about the new campaign is the Aboriginal books which are authored and illustrated by Aboriginal people, but also that this will resonate out into Aboriginal communities as well,” she explained.

“It’s really important to share with our community the benefits of reading and early literacy. There is so much benefit that comes with reading to your children and starting that from an early age further improves their outcomes – educationally and socially.”

Another powerful aspect of the campaign is representation. It speaks to the familiar adage that “you can’t be what you can’t see”.

“I’m very big on that – it’s so important for our young people to see themselves, their families and culture and history reflected in books,” Jasmine said.

“And not just within homes, but in schools. It’s really important we are ensuring that our books and our bookshelves are diversified.

“That we’re able to allow children of all ages here within South Australia – and nationally – to be able to learn about our culture and our language. To really have it as something that isn’t just brought out once a year, but it’s something that they’re seeing and they’re living and breathing every single day.”

For some young people, the impact of literacy support can be life-changing. Sacred Heart student Kobe Collins knows this first-hand.

The teenager, who recently won a 2026 Advertiser Teen Parliament scholarship, was just seven years old when he moved to Adelaide from a remote community outside Alice Springs. At the time, he didn’t speak any English.

It was an inspiring teacher who introduced him to Dr Seuss’s beloved picture book The Cat in the Hat – a moment that not only sparked his love of reading, but helped him begin to learn the language.

Now Kobe hopes to become a teacher himself, determined to inspire other young people from communities like his.

Speaking as part of Teen Parliament, he said many children face the challenges he did when moving from remote communities into city schools.

“Many bush kids face the same challenge when transitioning into city schools without early literacy support,” he said.

“Students fall behind, affecting confidence, school completion and future employment.”

Kobe believes better support in remote communities could make a lasting difference.

“My idea is to create integrated programs that combine literacy support, health, education and healthy relationship learning in remote communities,” he explained.

“For students transitioning into South Australian schools, this would improve school completion, reduce long-term health costs, strengthen families and build a healthier future workforce for our state.

“Every child deserves the same start in life, no matter their postcode.”

Support projects like this one by donating on Double Donation Day!

We are grateful to be participating in Beyond Bank’s upcoming Double Donation fundraiser.

Over 48 hours from Tuesday, 21 April, every donation made to The Channel 7 Children’s Research Foundation through Beyond Bank’s website will be dollar-matched by the Beyond Bank Foundation up to $10,000!

Our goal is to reach $10,000 in donations – which will be doubled to $20,000 -which be used to power projects like the one above.

Keep your eyes peeled on 21 April when our fundraiser goes live!

Together, we can make double the difference.

Photo credit: Roy Van Der Vegt Photography