Our 25 year journey
PTTR’s ‘Advent Calendar’ this year comes with a twist. On our facebook page, we’re following our 25 years, beginning with 1998.
It’s not too late to follow with us. Today we are showcasing 2009, so here’s a hint of what you’ll be finding.

A great 9th Early Literacy Conference
Thank you to all our keynote speakers, delegates and sponsors who made our 9th National Early Literacy Conference such a success!
We were thrilled that Their Excellencies, our Patron Mrs Hurley, accompanied by the Governor General joined us for Thursday morning. Can you spot them in the photo below?
Our sponsors were Northparkes Mines, Parkes Services Club, Joblink Plus, Neighbourhood Central, Parkes Shire Council and Early Years Care.
And a huge thanks to Chris and Vicki Williams from RSN Live who ran our online presence.

Registrations Open for 9th National Early Literacy Conference!
6 – 8 September 2023, on Wiradjuri Country Parkes NSW
And find out more about the Conference, Speakers and Timetable here
A new partnership for PTTR
Last week we were thrilled to join the South Australia Catholic Education SPICE program for the launch of their PTTR initiative – Paint Playgroups REaD, under the leadership of Emily Bowden.
All South Australia Catholic Education supported playgroups now have a Book Swap box for families to take books home, and the facilitators have received training in the power and importance of early brain development.

100th PTTR Community!
Paint the Lands REaD, Black and Yellow at Mimili
In November 2022, young children from across the Anangu Lands in South Australia – also known as the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands (APY Lands) – gathered together at Mimili to celebrate their year of daily reading, singing and dancing as part of “Paint the Lands REaD, Black and Yellow”. Mimili is the 100th PTTR community.
What a celebration that is for PTTR and what a wonderful way to end the year!
Watch some of the celebrations at Mimili here!
This time next year…
On 6–8 September 2023 we will celebrate our 9th National Conference, on Wiradjuri Country at Parkes, NSW, the birthplace of PTTR. Our theme is Storytelling and Told Stories.
It is fitting that it will fall in National Child Protection Week and on Indigenous Literacy Day.
Told stories give every child everywhere a fair go (this year’s NCPW theme) at learning who they are, and where they have come from. The Conference will begin with Indigenous storytelling — the very best and right place to start.
To learn more about the Conference, contact us at conference@paintthetownread.info.
Congrats, Paint Penrith REaD!
Today Paint Penrith REaD launched a new book for babies: Rooby’s Counting Book. The event, like so many PTTR events across Australia, epitomised everything that is important about PTTR.
- A collaborative partnership — between Mission Australia, Penrith City Council, a local business Featherdale Wildlife Park, and a local graphic designer, to name just a few.
- Senior managers committed to supporting grass roots workers and volunteers getting the message about REaD from Birth out into the community.
- Whole families invited. All activities reading, singing, drawing, looking at animals, focused around children.
- Children loving their PTTR mascot — Rooby Roo — and knowing what Rooby loves to do best of all — reading.
- Sustainability: being there for the long haul. In Penrith’s case, now over 10 years.
- A clear message: ‘Spread the word. Reading is important from Day 1!’
Rooby Roo has a special message for children who read and sing everyday. Well done! You are growing your brain. A big thank you to all family members who make time to read and sing with little ones. You are making a big difference in their lives.

NAIDOC Week 2022
Want to invest in a long term outcome?
If so, we’d love you to donate to Paint the Town REaD in this financial year!
It’s as easy as. Just go to our Justgiving Page. As a registered charity, any gifts over $2 are tax deductible.
Helping prepare a child to be ready for learning at school takes patience and time. But it is critical for how well they will learn to read and write, matriculate and move into adult life.
You may not see the outcomes in your lifetime, but the children you help today will.