2023 saw Batchelor Press work on a range of projects with communities with which we have well-established ties. The Press has worked with various Maningrida-based entities over the years including Lurra College and Maningrida Arts and Culture as well as with linguist Margaret Carew, a former Institute staff member whose specialisation includes languages from the Maningrida region. In 2023 the Press partnered with The Culture Office, Maningrida Arts and Culture towards the publication An-jiburey, a text- and image-rich clan-mapping book relating to Balkarranga, Gangarl, Gamarl and junggay (caretaker) clans, and dedicated to the late Bangarrdi Alec Wurrmara. Project-managed by Be Keillor working closely with Ngarrich Derek Carter, the book (soon to be published) also benefited from Margaret Carew’s input.

The Press also rekindled our relationship with Kaurna communities in 2023 having worked on a series of Kaurna readers for them in 2021. The latest set of four readers involves a wider pool of Kaurna contributors who bring their own lives into the books which are also more involved in terms of language construction and vocabulary. These resources are produced with the endorsement of Kuma Kaaru Cultural Services, Adelaide. Project manager Labhaoise Upton said recently an Uncle called into her office asking to write his story as a book. “We are getting a reputation,” she affirms.