Community launches

Mirrabooka – 28 March 2006

African drumming, Vietnamese finger puppets, literacy crafts and activities and an indigenous dance performance were some of the highlights of the Mirrabooka Let’s Read launch in Perth. More than 50 children and their families attended the event, which was MC-d by Nine news reader, Sonia Vinci.

Mirrabooka is a Shell Community of Interest

 

Devonport – 17 August 2006

Devonport City Council arranged a fun morning for more than 30 children and their families including a story-time session led by local identity Sid Sidebottom and a performance by children’s entertainers ‘The Fun Bugs’.

60’s pop star, Ronnie Burns, gave his time to act as MC and Liberal member for Braddon, Jeremy Rockliff assisted in launching the program, speaking of the importance of investing in children from an early age.

Devonport is a Shell Community of Interest

Parramatta – 25 October 2006

Burnside chose National Children’s Week to launch Let’s Read to local families, inviting more than 30 children and their parents to attend the special event. Families from diverse cultural backgrounds came together to enjoy morning tea, games and activities and learn more about the importance of reading with their children.

Parramatta Eels footballer and father of two, Chad Robinson, read to the children and local MP Julie Owens joined Nine Newsreader Kelly Connolly and Burnside CEO Jane Woodruff to officially launch the event.

Parramatta is a Shell Community of Interest

 

Gladstone - 18 November 2006

November 18th 2006 saw the official Launch of the Gladstone Communities for Children Let’s Read Programme. A fantastic crowd turned out at the newly completed Library Square Park to enjoy the entertainment organised for the day.

Local former radio personality Grant Cooper lent his professional expertise as MC keeping the day running smoothly. Formal proceedings included guest speakers Mayor, Cr Peter Corones, Mr David Manntan Executive Director of Schools Gladstone District who represented the Gladstone Communities for Children Initiative and our very own Jason Hetherington, former State of Origin Legend.

The children were entranced by the two stories read by Anita Rienks (dressed appropriately as ‘The Old Lady who lived in a Shoe’) and were equally entertained when the Bunbury Players enacted the story “Where the Wild Things Are” in street theatre style.

The day was appropriately child themed with pirates, Indians, soldiers, fairies mingled amongst the crowd handing out hats, balloons and giveaways including free books from the Let’s Read programme series.

The main drawcard were the Silly Billies. Jumping John, Cosmo and Ophelia the Fairy bopped and sang their way through 45 minutes of fun, engaging the children in silly billy antics.

A sausage sizzle tempted the masses rounding off a successful day for the Launch.

 

Port Stephens – 27th November 2006

Approximately 40 children, parents, grandparents and carers joined Port Stephens Library for a morning of storytelling, singing and dancing, to celebrate the community launch of Let’s Read at the Health & Community Care Centre in Raymond Terrace on 27th November 2006.

Jacqueline Harrison, The Smith Family Community Program Manager, spoke about the partnership between The Smith Family, Centre for Community Child Health, Shell and Port Stephens Library Service. She emphasised The Smith Family’s commitment to early childhood literacy and highlighted the important role parents play in reading to their young children.

The Let’s Read Program was officially launched by Port Stephens Councillor Geoff Dingle who recounted tales of reading to his children when they were young, and the joy shared between both parent and child. Councillor Dingle spoke from a personal level about the value of reading aloud with children and the benefits realised by members of his family.

Port Stephens Library, in conjunction with the Kids Who Read Succeed program, will coordinate the delivery of Let's Read to parents of more than 2,400 children across Port Stephens. Local businesses and health care providers will assist in raising awareness of Let’s Read by displaying promotional material and encouraging parents to visit their local Library branch to collect the resources.

As the inaugural corporate supporter of Let's Read, Shell has generously funded Let's Read resources for the Raymond Terrace community. Resources for the wider Port Stephens community have been purchased through Library Development Grant funding, made available by the State Library of NSW.