Ian Thorpes Fountain for Youth | Yarrabah Books for Babies

Yarrabah Books for Babies

This project aims to grow parental interest and commitment to early learning by providing a ‘resource pack’ of infant picture books and reading material for young parents when they take their new born baby home.

‘Books for Babies’ began in the Aboriginal community of Yarrabah near Cairns, QLD and is supported by the Yarrabah School, Queensland Health Service and Yarrabah Community Health Service. Ian Thorpe’s Fountain for youth and the David Morawetz Social Justice Fund provided funds to launch and develop this project. Moy Sweetman and the Frangipani Dreams organisation contribute baby clothes, blankets and other essentials.

On average up to 85 babies are born each year in Yarrabah, a community of 3,500-4000 people.

Yarrabah State School has been honoured with a national ‘Centre for Excellence’ award.

Major Supporter

Australian Unity Foundation is proudly supporting Ian Thorpe’s Fountain for youth, assisting in closing the space between the home and the school by supporting the Literacy Backpack Program. Fountain for youth was a successful applicant to a 12 month grant for the provisioning of resources for students in the remote community school.

Thank you to Australian Unity Foundation for your generosity and passion in supporting Indigenous learning and being a part of our journey.