The Southern Highlands region in New South Wales is known for its picturesque countryside, boutique shops, wineries and high real estate prices.

But a local Indigenous elder and educator is concerned about the disadvantage faced by members of the region's Indigenous community.

Velma Mulcahy, known as Aunty Val, has been teaching Aboriginal history, culture and language in schools across the Southern Highlands for the past 23 years.

She said she was appalled that Indigenous children and adults in the region come to her to learn how to read and write.

"I've got kids … who can't sign their own name, they can't read, they can't write," she said.

"Some of them [her students] are 18, 19, 20. They can't read, they can't write, and they don't understand money.

"There's nothing here for the kids, nothing is being done for them.

"They are in language [classes] and I am teaching them and they've got no idea. It's sad."

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Jack Beetson, the founder of the Literacy for Life Foundation, an Aboriginal-led charity tackling low adult literacy rates, said Indigenous literacy was a problem nationwide.

"We know that at least 40 per cent, and up to 85 per cent, of Indigenous people aged 15 have low literacy," Mr Beetson said.

"Wherever you go across Australia, there's a minimum of 40 per cent [with low literacy]."

Mr Beetson said Indigenous literacy levels were a national disgrace and that the shame belonged to those who were literate, not those with low literacy.

"Here we are, living in a first world country, with third world statistics for Indigenous Australians.

"We should all be ashamed of that and do something."

A trailblazer

Aunty Val grew up on a mission at La Perouse in Sydney's south in the 1930s. ( Supplied: Aunty Val )

Aunty Val grew up on a mission at La Perouse in Sydney's south in the 1930s and later moved to the Southern Highlands.

It was a difficult life growing up under the Aborigines Protection Act, which fuelled Aunty Val's passion to bring opportunities to Aboriginal people.

In her 50s, Aunty Val went to university to get a degree.

She said it was never too late to get a tertiary education.

"That's a bit late to go to uni, but if I can, the younger ones have got to go. They are going, but not enough," she said.

"I've worked in all the schools and I teach three languages, not just to Aboriginal people.

"We've got a 0-8 program and we've got educational books all in languages. It's very important to pass it on."

Aunty Val said she believed part of the solution was proactive programs that better supported Indigenous people in school and enforced mandatory attendance.

She said dedicated centres for Indigenous children to do homework, and playgroups where people could interact with elders, could make a real difference.

Aunty Val's parents Ida Amatto and Reginald Russell in the 1930s. ( Supplied: Aunty Val )

While Aunty Val is advocating for more support for Indigenous children, she believes that self-determination is key.

"You've got to go to school and get an education. They can't get a job if they can't read and write and that's what we are finding here, and every area is the same," she said.

"Aboriginal people have got to front up … be responsible for ourselves, and better our lives too, and say to the kids, 'You've got to go to school'."

Aunty Val said she believed that Indigenous mental health and higher suicide rates were another neglected area.

"That has been going on there for years," she said.

"Aboriginal people don't have jobs, they don't have houses or affordable housing. They've been behind the eight ball all the time."

Disadvantage breeds further disadvantage

The Literacy for Life Foundation said the education system was leaving behind disadvantaged students, which fuelled generational disadvantage.

"Evidence proves that you don't get literate children without literate mothers," Mr Beetson said.

"The bottom line is you need literate mothers."

The foundation started in 2012 and is now operating across NSW in Wilcannia, Walgett, Bourke and Brewarrina up to the Queensland border.

It is set to expand with programs soon to start up south of Sydney and near Alice Springs.

"We want to roll it out nationally and it's an imperative. We'd certainly love to get down to the Shoalhaven, Illawarra area, and the Southern Highlands," Mr Beetson said.

The Literacy For Life Foundation is an Aboriginal-led charity working to improve low adult literacy in Australia's Indigenous communities. ( Supplied: Literacy for Life Foundation )

Mr Beetson said there was concern illiterate Australians were being cut off from basic services.

"Everyday people with low literacy become further marginalised by everyday tasks," he said.

"They go into any government department and the first thing they get is, 'Go online and fill out this form'.

"How do you do that if you can't read and write? Those people just go without. It's appalling."

