Jenny Leong MP, Member for Newtown drew the Parliament's attention to the Paint Inner West REaD program which is an early literacy program run with the aim of getting young children and their families reading, singing and playing.
"I recognise the Paint Inner West REaD, which is an early literacy program that is being run in partnership with the Newtown Neighbourhood Centre with the aim of getting young children and their families reading, singing and playing. The inner west initiative is part of a broader Paint The Town REaD campaign that spreads across five States in remote, regional and urban communities. The program is run through inner west libraries, online, and through book boxes spread throughout the community that feature books for children and babies. The program also has a very special representative, Garranga Bumarri, who is a pelican that has laid a special egg that grows until it finally hatches when the children sing and read to it. Just a few weeks ago I had the pleasure of meeting this pelican outside the Newtown Neighbourhood Centre at the launch. I thank Enmore TAFE and community members for building the book boxes and all the families who decorated them. I also recognise the Newtown Neighbourhood Centre team, especially the manager of the community strengthening group, Elaine Macnish, and thank all those associated with the centre for their work in the community to support to promote this program and reading for young people in our community."
Hansard link here.
