Remote & Indigenous programmes

2014 marked the 150th Anniversary of the first Indigenous scripture being published in Australia, in the Ngarrindjeri language. The Nyoongar people of south west Australia received Luke’s Gospel as the first Scripture in their own language and the Bible Society has been working closely with the Pitjantjatjara people of central Australia to translate the Old Testament into their ancient language. In 2014 the book of Daniel was completed. Today, over 30 Aboriginal and Indigenous groups have at least some Scripture in their own language.

After 27 years of translation work, the first complete Yumplatok New Testaments were delivered to the Torres Strait. One person is reported to have said...

“Now I don’t need a dictionary when I read the Bible. It is in my language and it is clear.”

Together with Wycliffe Bible Translators, the Bible Society has produced activity books called The Coolamon Kids. Readers are introduced to the four Coolamon Kids: David and Sarah and their Indigenous friends Kalam and Nami. Together they learn about Bible translation as well as history, geography, art, culture and Bible stories.

In 1993 the Kala Lagaw Ya Mini Bible was produced. In 2014, this Bible was reprinted for further distribution.

A new delivery model was implemented for more effective distribution to Remote and Indigenous communities and the Bible Society aircraft has been retired.