Childers Read To Me Day Committee is literally waging war on literacy issues within the Childers community.
A custom-built trailer, the committee’s “war wagon” is the latest acquisition to help spread the word on the benefits of reading to children.
Committee president Judith Robertshaw was delighted to receive the trailer which was handed over last week by management and staff at General Engineering & Irrigation (GEI) in Childers, the company contracted to make the trailer.
“This trailer has been a real community effort,” said Mrs Robertshaw.
“Childers Rotary lodged a Gaming Community Benefit Fund application in November last year and were successful in receiving $19,530 to construct the trailer, purchase four marquees, catering equipment, portable PA and other essential items.
“All these items, including those we already have in our possession and used in conjunction with Childers Read To Me Day, will be stored in the trailer.
“I must make mention of Sandra Webb, our student transition officer at Isis High who wrote the funding application. Sandra has made a habit of compiling compelling funding applications and over the past seven or eight years she has successfully applied for almost a half a million dollars in grants.”
Mrs Robertshaw said Childers Read To Me Day has been held annually since 2016 and continues to grow in popularity and has received massive support from the business community of Childers.
“It is a simple concept which really does drive at the heart of issues affecting children who do not benefit from the outcomes associated with being read to on a regular basis.
“On Read To Me Day we engage with adults and high school students who take groups of children to various reading, craft and entertainment sessions with the transitions running over a period of about two hours.
“All this activity is spread across locations from Millennium Park, the Childers Library and other areas in the main street. It is a great mix of education and entertainment and is of paramount importance in getting children to use their imaginations as well as being visually stimulated.”
Mrs Robertshaw said around 300 children are expected to attend the 2019 Childers Read To Me Day which will be held on Wednesday, August 28 commencing at 10am in Millennium Park.
- Other news: Premier launches reading challenge
